Clean

Clean

John 13:6-11, NIV

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10Jesus 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.” 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

Setting the Scene

Simon Peter is disturbed by seeing the Master stoop to such menial duties as foot washing. Typical of Peter, he wasn’t sure what to say, so he said the first thing that came to mind: “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus was right there, towel and basin ready, so the tone in Peter’s question must have conveyed something like, “Not my feet, you’re not!” Jesus’ answer refers to both a short-term and a long-term understanding. After he is done with this task, Jesus plans to explain it to the disciples so they will immediately have a certain level of understanding. But life in the future is going to provide them with numerous opportunities to experience the truth of his cleansing.

Peter still wanted to hold the line of honor and respect. He wasn’t about to allow Jesus to wash his feet. But Jesus countered: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Instantly Peter found himself backpedaling furiously: “If that’s the case, then wash me all over!” Jesus responded with what is obvious in the physical realm but often lost in our spiritual dealings with God: The washing and cleansing of forgiveness that Jesus provides is complete, but we still get our feet dirty because we remain in the world. Repentance and forgiveness for the believer is spiritual foot washing, not repeated complete baths.

Getting Personal

Considering that both Judas and Peter would soon betray Jesus, what was so important about Jesus washing the feet of both men?

In what ways is washing the feet of others a symbol of forgiveness?

John points out that Jesus included an exception in his explanation to Peter. “And you are clean, though not every one of you.” Judas was still at the table, among those whose feet Jesus washed. Judas’s feet were washed, but he remained unclean.

Talking to God

Thank God for the amazing juxtaposition of his almighty power and authority and the role of crucified Savior. Thank him for coming to make you clean.