Unless I Wash Your Feet

Friends,
If we live a life where we are often deliberately sinning, are we clean before God? No, for sin, even one spot of sin, defiles us. Thankfully, because of God’s gracious mercy, when we strive to please Him, He declares us righteous if we, by abiding in Christ and His words (John 15:1-5), are growing and maturing in “the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.” (Titus 1:1) This is “because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14) What becomes of this sacrifice of Christ’s, though, for those who deliberately keep on sinning? Verse 26 informs us that “no sacrifice for sins is left” –which means that for such people, Christ’s sacrifice is negated. Thus Hell is the destination they will have to expect. (v. 27)

Unless, of course, the person repents… if he asks God for forgiveness and asks to be cleansed… if he turns completely away from all places and people and things that entice him to sin… if he takes the necessary steps to grow by reading the Word daily and putting what he reads to practice… For the Word washes us (Eph. 5:26) and keeps us clean (John 15:3), and it is by obeying the Truth, that we purify ourselves. (1 Peter 1:22)

But what if someone sins? Has he not become unclean? He has. And if he does not go to Christ for a “foot-washing” (see John 13:5), then the sin will grow larger within the heart until the heart becomes calloused and hardened.

When Peter asked the Lord about this foot-washing, Jesus said, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (v. 7) So why was Christ wanting to wash His disciples feet when He says in verse 10b that they (except Judas) was already clean? Was this experience only to teach the lesson of servanthood? No, it was also a symbolism of how we must submit to Christ’s cleansing on a continual basis in order to remain clean. This is why Jesus says, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.” (v. 10a)

So if one’s whole body is clean, why the need for a foot-cleaning? Is it really necessary? Well, what does Jesus say to Peter in verse 8a when Peter initially refuses the procedure? “Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.’” (v. 8b)

No part. With Christ. Unless –what? Answer: Unless Jesus washes the feet of the one whom He’s already made clean!

Here is the lesson: We may have believed the Gospel, repented, and been trying to follow Christ and His teachings (as had been Peter), but if we do not let Christ continually cleanse us of all dirt that might attach itself to our feet by walking the road of life… meaning, all defilements that might attach themselves to our hearts or minds as we walk the road of life… then that dirt / that defilement will accumulate. And to have it accumulate means we’ve refused to submit to Christ’s (the Word’s) continual cleaning of us –which He undertakes in order to achieve His goal of making us “blameless and holy… when [He]… comes with all His holy ones.” (1 Thes. 3:13)

In other words, if we refuse to be kept continually clean, Jesus will say to us as He did to Peter who was already “clean” (v. 10), “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” (v. 8b)

And what happens to the person who does not remain a part of the Vine… in Christ and He in them? (John 15:4,5) Such a man, Jesus says, “is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” (v. 6) Therefore, “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” (v. 4) And how do we do this? –By obeying His commands. (v. 10 & 14:20-23) –Including the one of submitting to His (the Word’s) continual washing of us.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

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