Jesus and His disciples were gathered in the upper room for the Passover celebration, Jesus, “…got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to WASH the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.” (John 13:4-5) The story of Jesus kneeling to the floor and gently handing His disciples feet so they could comfortably dine together is one of the most profound pictures of our Savior’s HEART OF LOVE FOR US! Jesus cared so very much about the details of His followers’ lives! He was willing to get messy to REACH, TEACH, and SHOW UNDESERVED (agape) LOVE for His disciples.
“When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You DON’T UNDERSTAND now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “UNLESS I WASH YOU, YOU WON’T BELONG TO ME.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” (John 13:6-9) When we are directed to do something in the Word, it IS NOT AN OPTION for us! Or if the Lord SPEAKS TO US to do something, we must just DO IT and NOT ARGUE with the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY about if we should do it or not.
So, should we practice feet washing? “So, when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU ALSO OUGHT (opheilō: to owe, to be obliged) TO WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET. For I have given you AN EXAMPLE, that YOU SHOULD DO as I have done to you.” (John 13:12-15)
Did Jesus give an example of doing some random act of kindness? NO, He washed their feet and said “YOU SHOULD DO as I have done to you.”
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham