We continue our study of the Gospel of John, picking up at verse 8 of chapter 13. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle wrote:
“No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” “Then Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and head as well.” Jesus answered, “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.” For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that is why He said not every one was clean. When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call Me Teacher, and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I AM. Now that I, Your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13: 8-17.
As we have seen again, and again, Everything Jesus did had purpose. Just as everything that comes into our lives has purpose if we are walking with Him.
The Lord did not just talk about washing each other’s feet, He took off His outer wrap, and washed the feet of every Disciple. He didn’t just talk about the role a a Servant/Leader He displayed it. He knew this Team He had assembled would be performing miracles, healing the sick, and representing Him in ways that could make them think of themselves more highly than would be healthy. He wanted them to see Him perform a servant’s task, to make it clear. No one person is above another, regardless of title. Though He is Teacher, and Lord, He is servant to all as well. Though He is God Almighty, He is among us in His sweet Holy Spirit. He is serving us breathe by breathe in love, and power. He is on the Throne, but is serving us at the same time. This is the Good News. This is what we can live in, and share with everyone in our lives that will hear.
The point I believe He was making about us only needing to wash our feet if we have had a bath is about walking in this life as one with Him. When we receive Him as Lord, His Holy Spirit enters into our spirit, and we are given that bath; we are washed clean within by the power of His blood that was shed for us, and that now flows within us. His blood becomes one with ours; cleansing, and protecting, and perfecting, and healing, and attracting good. We become One with Him, and He with us. However, externally, we walk in the world, and can easily become more in the flesh, than in the spirit if we are not constantly on point. When the Lord said, “Wash your feet,” He is reminding us to look at those things that might have caused some dirt or stain externally that day. We can wash by confessing them, and be cleansed by the power of the blood within. Our whole body is clean as we do.
We may not be able to wash each other’s feet, literally, but we can wash them by praying for each other. This can be the power that a brother or a sister is in need of to help them with whatever they are dealing with, or walking through. The Lord says you will be blessed as you do. ?