“Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.'” John 13:8
February 15, 2024
It was the night before Jesus was to experience the darkest night in His eternal soul. He would be going through the excruciating pain of enduring the wrath of the Father for sin of which He was innocent, making Himself to be sin on our behalf. The host did not wash the feet of the guests. Twelve pair of dirty feet plus Jesus with His. Jesus began to wash the feet of His men. It was a stunning moment. The approaching suffering of Christ did not keep Him from ministering. Peter objects. As one has perceptively said, “He is humble enough to see the incongruity of Christ’s action, yet proud enough to dictate to his Master” (MacGregor). In this acted parable, the optics said it all, cleansing from the defilement of sin is necessary for fellowship. This was not teaching the approval of all kinds of people and their sin. Pulsating around the table was forgiveness. It must be sought from God and is necessary for Christ’s followers if they are to have fellowship with Him and one another. It was a cross with a towel draped over it.
H
If the sovereign Lord became a servant , then His subjects should surely serve.