Read John 13:1–17.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:17
When do you “step lively”? Maybe it’s at the gym as you use the StairMaster. Maybe it’s in the park as you run the trails and dodge the puddles left by last night’s thunderstorm. Maybe it’s at work as you move step by busy step through your day.
The answer differs for each of us, but regardless of the answer, when we think about “steppin’ lively,” we imagine a surge of energy and a burst of enthusiasm. (Well, maybe not every time we think about the StairMaster!)
Jesus wraps up his lesson on repentance and humility with a promise: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (v. 17). In a few short hours, the disciples would watch from a distance as their Lord hung, bleeding in death, for their sins. In a few short days, their hearts would leap for joy as they began to catch on to the glory of the empty tomb. In a few short months, they would find themselves “steppin’ lively” in joy-filled obedience to Jesus’ command:
Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Mark 16:15
Blessed to know the wonderful things Jesus taught and did, they shared this wonderful message and received wonderful blessings in return. Blessed, they became a blessing to dozens, then hundreds, then thousands and millions.
We share in those same blessings as we follow in Jesus’ steps still today: the blessing of meaning and purpose in our lives; the blessing of seeing other people touched and healed by the love of God; the blessing of joy and peace as our own faith grows and deepens. Step lively as you share all this today!
This devotion comes from Serving in His Steps, CTA’s new devotion book. It is part of a new line of Christian worker and volunteer appreciation products. Check it out here!
