This chapter contains accounts of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, a prediction of His betrayal and Peter’s denial, and a commandment for us to love one another.
“Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean… If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’ ” (v8-10, 14-15 abr)
Jesus is describing a cleansing that goes far deeper than someone’s skin – He’s referring to a spiritual cleansing, one that purifies one’s spirit and heart. Jesus offers to humbly cleanse us on a far deeper level than we can fully understand. Unless we allow Him to wash us, we cannot properly help wash others, which is part of our calling.
Have you invited Jesus to cleanse you recently? Being a Christ follower is an ongoing process of cleansing and refining (at least it is for me). There was an initial cleansing when we first invited Jesus to be our Savior, and there is an ongoing, maintaining cleansing that needs to help keep us pure (this world constantly seeks to recontaminate us). As we are being cleansed by our Humble Servant King, His Spirit can gently wash others with Jesus’ living water that flows out of us.
Father God, our Holy Creator and Sovereign Lord, You alone are worthy of our service and praise. Jesus, we ask You to please humble our hearts through Your example, and humbly cleanse us thoroughly. Please wash us with Your living water, and fill us with it until we overflow. May that abundant living water spill over into the lives of our neighbors, so they may experience You renewal and cleansing as well. In Your holy and righteous name we praise our Father in heaven, and seek to follow You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training