while today

Jesus gave a powerful object lesson to His disciples just before He went to the cross. During supper, Jesus wrapped Himself in a towel, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and wiped them with the towel with which He was girded (John 13:4-5). But when Jesus came to Peter, he vigorously protested and said, “Never shall you wash my feet!” (John 13:8a NASB95)

Some commentators frown upon Peter’s response and imply that in this moment, he was displaying a false humility that was masking a deep spiritual arrogance. I don’t think that is the case at all. I think I know exactly where Peter was coming from. Washing feet was the job of a slave!  Jesus is no servant!  He is the Master, the Lord, the Teacher!  I think that if I had been there, I would have said the same thing as Peter: “Lord, never, ever will I let you wash my feet!”  I might have said, “Lord, give me the basin and I will do it myself!”  What about you?  Would you have let Jesus wash your feet?

Listen to Jesus’ response to Peter: “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8b). You see, the foot washing wasn’t just about clean feet or ancient hospitality customs. There was something deeper that Jesus was trying to teach. Of course, Jesus was not saying, “Peter if you have dirty feet, you and I can have no fellowship.” 

What He was saying is this, “Peter, if I don’t cleanse your heart and soul, you can have no fellowship with Me.”

What are the lessons for us?  We cannot cleanse ourselves of sin. Sin has left a crimson stain that we cannot wash away, no matter how hard we try. Cleansing can only come if we humbly submit to Jesus’ washing. We must humbly and gratefully accept His supreme act of service on our behalf—His death on the cross. If we’re not willing to let Him wash us, we cannot be a part of Him.

I cannot help but think of baptism when I read this story. Baptism was the moment in time at which we humbly submitted to Jesus and let Him cleanse us with His shed blood. Have you submitted to Him in this way?  Will you let Jesus wash you and keep you continually cleansed?

—Scott Colvin