In The Garden
"When Jesus Came"
Pastor Wayne Clabaugh

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Scripture: "... whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Matthew 20: 27,28 (KJV)

We spoke yesterday of what you did after the Palm Sunday procession which marked Jesus Triumphal Entry into the City of Jerusalem. What an AWESOME sight that must have been to see.

So what do you think Jesus did just after he slid down off of that donkey and entered into the house where a supper meal had been planned in his honor? Do you think He climbed down and got his footing, brushed his clothes off, looked at the disciples and said, "AWESOME RIDE"? Do you suppose He might have said, "I'm thirsty, and I need something to drink?" No, His mind was stayed on one thing... completing the work that He was sent to do and He knew now that His time was short. In fact, that same evening, toward the end of the supper meal, Judas Iscariot went to the Sanhedrin with the sole intent and purpose of betraying His Lord.

Now, it was the custom in Jesus' time, that the guest of honor at a supper meal was always placed in the highest position, and seated on the highest couch. It was also a part of the custom that the guest of honor would be served first, and would be given the choicest of meats, and the freshest fruits available.

If you're still one of those families who sit around the table for your family meals together, more than likely dad's at the head of the table (The honored place or the place of respect) and usually gets served first - unless there is company, and in that case company becomes the guests of honor and are always served first. But curious to all of this tradition is the fact that the only people walking around during the meal in question in our passage of scripture here, was the (Governor of the festivities) and the hired servants that were there to "make it happen." It would be unheard of for the guest of honor to get up and walk out or begin busing tables. So when Jesus rose up from His place of honor, and "laid aside His garments", taking a wash basin and kneeling before the Disciples and began washing their feet ... you can believe that He had their full attention!!!

You know, I can't help but think of the glorious truth behind this picture. How the Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End, out of Love for the whosoever, would leave the palaces of Glory... leave His rightful place of honor, to come and voluntarily "Lay aside His garments" to become a servant; and ultimately, in so doing, become the sacrifice for our cleansing. I believe that this is the reason that no one had been chosen to wash their feet at this meal, as this event foreshadowed that "only Jesus" could do the job . . . and "complete the work".

There are so many illustrations that we could pull in here such as the Great Supper parable in Luke 12:16-24; the Marriage supper of the Lamb in Rev 19:9; we could go on and on. But The point is that "the WORD," He who was at the beginning with God, and was God.... got up from His palace of splendor, and laid aside His garments voluntarily, to become "the servant". Oh PRAISE HIS NAME. He, who was the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with Power, heard the challenge of sin and death, and answered it with a more "perfect sacrifice". He whose hope we have as the anchor of the soul, both steadfast and sure, saw the need to tear down the middle wall of partition between God and man, and He, by His sacrifice, "rent the veil in twain." What a glorious Savior! What a wonderful Lord!

Do you remember the first time you were called to the supper table by our Lord? Do you remember the first time He spoke your name in connection with sacrifice and surrender, and passed the basin of water to you saying, "rescue the perishing . . . care for the dying?" Back then, it may have been easier to answer. Not because you had nothing else to do; but because the calling on your heart was so overwhelming, the position of life you were found in had little consequence. You knew that you must answer! You knew, that you too must lay aside those garments, and enter into his "call of service".

Maybe you're like me, and I'm afraid so many others who often become so busy working for the Lord, that we have little time with Him... and just like any relationship that is not wooed, and is not nurtured, we begin to lose that freshness of spirit, and the zeal to see lives change. Maybe today you need to ask for a fresh touch... a "cleansing touch". Call upon Jesus today, and let Him begin to work in you, with the same zeal and vigor of those first days.

Oh I need a fresh touch from Jesus in my soul
Touch me now, O touch me now
I kneel before you, a needy hungering soul
Touch me now, O touch me now.
O send your precious Holy Spirit in my heart,
Change . . . rearrange, and revive every part.
I need a fresh touch from Jesus in My soul
Send it now, O Send it now.
-- By W. D. Clabaugh I --

Father God,
When I think of the awesomeness of your Power and Glory, I find it hard to think that you are concerned with someone as lowly as I. Yet, you looked through all of the ages, and called my name. I think of my College degrees, and I think of my talents, and I think of my outgoing personality, yet I fail to see in any of this, what I could possibly add to "your" kingdom. Yet, you have called me. You have spoken the names of souls in need of repair, nay in need of rescue, and have told me that I alone have a part to play in their lives. What an Awesome responsibility. I have tried the road of asking you to send someone else, but you won't leave me alone. For this is a job that only I can do, out of a willing heart. Take all of me Lord Jesus, and use me in any way that you see fit. I ask it in Jesus' Name. Amen.