Imagine the scene… if you can. Jesus the Son of the Living God. The One who created everything for his purpose and glory. The One whom angels worship and demons tremble. The Alpha and Omega — the Beginning and the End. The worthy… holy… just… grace-filled… righteous King of Kings… washing dirty feet. Could there be a more shocking display of love and grace than Jesus acting as the lowliest of servants and washing away filth from feet? I mean… gross, right?
Come on, Peter got it… the gross part, at least. “Lord, do you actually think I am going to allow you to wash my feet?” And yet, Jesus did. He washed every pair of dirty feet. Jesus’ reply to Peter’s objection is so telling of what was on the Savior’s heart as he knelt before those whom he loved. “Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.” Jesus’ followers were surely humbled, and they really didn’t understand the purpose behind the foot-bathing. Jesus actually affirmed that they didn’t understand what he was doing… but they soon would.
A few hours later Jesus would cry out, “It is finished!” and the Provision had been made. You think it was gross that Jesus washed dirty feet? On the cross he bore every sin. Rape… racism… murder… child abuse… betrayal… adultery… Jesus bore them all… and he provided for anyone to be washed clean through faith in him. “You do not understand what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Yeah… washed clean. If you have placed your faith in Jesus he has washed your soul. The filth of sin has not even left a residue on your heart, because every sin you have committed was applied directly to Jesus. Think about those sins that were part of your life. The sins that harmed others. The sins that harmed you. The sins that you would be humiliated if anyone else knew what they were… all washed clean by the loving Savior’s nail-scarred hands.
Today, as we observe The Lord’s Supper together, remember the scene of Jesus kneeling in front of Peter, and never forget that the washing of feet was but an analogy of the washing Jesus would bring to hearts. Take time to express your amazement to the Savior… “Lord, you aren’t actually going to wash my heart are you?” And then, reflect in amazement as Jesus kneels before you… and washes you clean. And marvel… marvel at the love that God has for you that he would do such a thing.
Leave a Reply