Who is Jesus? #138

“The fullness of Him who fills everything is every way.” As I continue to reflect on the nautical usage of this word “fullness,” I realize I have pretty much left the realm of first century life. There were bigger ships then but we mostly are familiar with the small vessels used by fishermen. However, I will continue.

One of the duties of an average hand on board was to swab the deck. What this actually meant was to take a mop made of yarn and mop the deck of the boat. For those who sailed on fishing boats, this was done several times a day in order to keep the deck clean from the refuse leftover from cleaning fish. This helped to keep the boat clean and a little less smelly.

There were a couple of other reasons for swabbing the deck. It was punishment for a sailor who didn’t behave himself and it was also used to keep sailors busy so as not to get into trouble.

When I think about this I can’t help but remember I John 1:7-8.

            But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
            we have fellowship with one another, and the
            blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
            If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
            ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess
            our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
            our sins and purify us from
            all unrighteousness.

Sometimes our deck – life – is not clean. It is stained with the refuse of sin. It needs to be cleaned – continually cleaned. This is the promise for those who “walk in the light” of Jesus Christ. He continually swabs our deck. If we will admit that it needs swabbing, He will step in and take care of it.

For those who do not know Jesus. There is no deck so dirty that He cannot clean. Give it up to Him and give in to Him and let Him swab the deck.

I can’t help but also think of the time when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13). This was task of the lowest of the lowest servants in a household. Jesus demonstrated that he was not too good to take this job. He took the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7).

He’s not too good for the job and He does it very well. How’s your deck?