Would You Let Jesus Wash Your Feet?

January 6, 2026

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

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Freedom from Guilt

May 9, 2025

Unresolved guilt can be a terrible force of destruction in our lives.  We have all had a guilty conscience at one time or another.  We have all felt that knot in our stomach or faced a restless night because we have done wrong.  These are not pleasant feelings, but generally speaking, the feeling of guilt is necessary.  Our conscience creates guilt within us when we know we have done wrong, and this is a blessing!  Guilt is a signal to us that we need to confess our sin to God, turn from the path we are on, and seek forgiveness.  Thank God for a good conscience that warns us and calls us back to the right path.

But sometimes, people who have long ago been forgiven by God are still living their lives being pressed down with a heavy weight of guilt and shame. If our conscience hasn’t been fully convicted of God’s forgiveness, many serious problems will result.  A Christian who has been forgiven but doesn’t know it or believe it, can struggle with anxiety and depression.  They can struggle with feeling distant from God because they believe He is continually disappointed in them and frowning at them. And so, they stay away from God.  They may stay away from God’s people, or feel very uncomfortable around them, thinking things like, “If these people really knew who I am, they wouldn’t accept me.”  These kinds of feelings are very harmful for spiritual health and growth.

How can we overcome these feelings of unwarranted guilt?  We have to understand the nature of God and learn to trust in His forgiveness.  Listen to these words of David,

“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:8-12 NAS95)

Do you realize the nature of God?  He is compassionate!  He is gracious!  He abounds in love!  He will not stay angry forever.  He does not deal with us according to our sins.  No, He is gracious and forgiving.  Understanding these things about God will help us to trust in His forgiveness.

Do you realize the completeness of His forgiveness?  His love for His children is immeasurable, and as such, the completeness of His forgiveness is immeasurable.  He has removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.  When God forgives you, He will never remember your sins against you again!  They are gone forever.

You and I have found complete forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  Let’s not let the sins of our past haunt us and weigh us down anymore.  If God has forgiven them, they are forgiven and forgotten forever!  And when we sin, let us confess our sins, turn back to the light, and trust that the blood of Jesus keeps us continually cleansed in His sight! (1 John 1:9) 

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Posted by Scott Colvin