11 November JOHN 13

If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing

John 13:8(MSG) Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!” Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”

Jesus's response was stern and clear. If Simon Peter refused Jesus washing his feet, Jesus would have nothing more to do with him. Jesus saw Himself as a servant and wanted them to also see themselves as servants.

Jesus’s attitude was in direct contrast to that of the disciples, who had recently been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the greatest.

There was no servant present in the upper room to wash their feet, and it never occurred to them to wash one another’s feet. When the Lord Himself stooped to this lowly task, they were stunned into silence. Peter was profoundly uncomfortable with the Lord washing his feet, and he protested: You shall never wash my feet. John 13:9-11(NLT) Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” Peter, whose love for the Saviour was genuine, requested a complete washing. Then Jesus explained: (NIV) Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you. The disciples had bathed, and they were all clean but one—Judas, who would betray Him.

So, Jesus’s act of washing the disciples’ feet illustrated their spiritual cleansing. Jesus is the One who forgives. Peter and the rest had experienced the full cleansing of salvation and did not need to be bathed again in the spiritual sense.

As His followers, we are to emulate Him, serving one another in lowliness of heart and mind, seeking to build one another up in humility and love. John 13:15(NLT) I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.