Cleanse

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

7 Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10 Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”

John 13:1-10 (WEB)

When Jesus tells Peter that his feet must be washed to still have fellowship with Christ, Peter passionately asks the Lord to cleanse his whole body. Jesus clarifies that because Peter already belongs to Christ, it’s only necessary for his feet to be washed.

This exchange between reminds us of our need for continual confession. When we belong to Christ, we have already been cleansed from the penalty of sin and have restored fellowship with God. We’ve been washed and redeemed by Christ. Yet as we walk through life, our feet get dirty every single day.

Just as this was a normal part of everyday life in a physical sense, so it spiritually is true in our lives as well. We must allow Jesus to continually wash our feet.

We don’t need to panic as Peter did that we’ve lost fellowship with Christ because there’s dirt on our feet; yet we don’t want to hold out on Christ’s cleansing power either.

Picture the towel around His waist. Imagine the scene with yourself in it.

What does Christ need to cleanse you of today?

Allow Him to wash your feet.

Jesus goes on to instruct His disciples to do the same for one another.

Who must you forgive today? Just as Jesus has cleansed us, now we must extend grace and forgiveness to others. Allow Christ to cleanse you of unforgiveness. Live in His reconciliation and peace.

14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.

John 13:14-15 (WEB)