John 13:1-17 Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be His last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father's side. All throughout His time with His disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now He longed to show them the full measure of His love. Before their evening meal (Passover meal) had begun, the accuser had already planted betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under His control, for He had come from God and was about to go back to be with Him. So He got up from the meal and took off His outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around His waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and dry them with His towel.
But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, "I can't let you wash my dirty feet - You're my Lord."
Jesus replied, " You don't understand the meaning of what I'm doing but soon it will be clear to you."
Peter looked at Jesus and said, "You'll never wash my feet - never!"
"But Peter, if you don't allow Me to wash your feet," Jesus responded then you will not be able to share life with Me."
So Peter said, "Lord, in that case, don't just wash my feet, wash my hands and head too!.
Jesus said to him, " You are already clean. You've been washed completely and you just need your feet to be cleansed - but that can't be said of all of you." for Jesus knew which one was about to betray Him, and that's why He told the that not all of them were clean.
After washing their feet, He put His robe on and returned to His place at the table. "Do you understand what I just did." Jesus said, " You've called Me your teacher and Lord, and you're right, for that's who I am." so if I'm your teacher and Lord and have just washed your feet, then you should follow the example that I've set for you and wash one another's feet. Now do for each other what I have just done for you. "I speak to you timeless truth; a servant is not superior to his master, and an apostle is never greater than the one who sent him. So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!"
By removing their sandals and washing their feet,Jesus was showing them that He was granting them a new inheritance - His own. The sandal is often used in covenants of inheritance in Hebrew culture. Every defilement would be removed so that they could "place the sole of their feet" upon the new covenant inheritance. An inheritance that represents the holiness of God and the authority that came with it.
Jesus knowing this would be the last night of all of them being together, wanted to honor His disciples and cleanse (wash) their feet for them to move forward with their purpose, or their 'walk' per se.
He knew 'He' needed to bring a cleansing/washing to each one of them, even the one that He knew would betray Him. Think about that, He washed the feet of Judas Iscariot.
He took off His outer robe which in greek stands for garment, cloak, mantle or tunic. He used a towel but in greek it says linen cloth that was wrapped around Him. Linen represents purity and protection. Jesus used the linen cloth of purity and protection to wipe off their feet after He washed them. He represented what servanthood is. Serving His disciples in a humble way.
Are we willing to let Jesus wash our feet, to clean us from what He sees needs to be wiped off of us? Are we willing?
As His disciples, He wants to cleanse us, especially before He sends us out. He wipes off the ways of the world that is attached to our walk. He wipes off what is not clean on us, for our purity and protection to move forward.
In order for us to receive His happiness and untold blessings, He wants to wash us. Are you willing?
Psalm 51:2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 139:23-24. Search me, O God and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.
Let Him wash your feet so you can move forward in your walk. Do not deny Him of doing this. It is your time to receive a cleansing from the One who loves us.
What did the disciples do, they sat in His presence and let Him wash their feet (their walk).
Are you willing?
Now are we willing to wash the feet of others?
I was in a bible study with my mentor and during our communion we were given a towel. Our instructions were to take communion with Jesus and let Him wash our feet in the spirit. I sat and let Him wash my feet in doing this, He honored my walk with Him and I moved forward in my walk in a complete, different and honorable way.
7-5-2023
Deb Miller - Robinson, Eagle Warrior
Pleya Gi - Go with blessings