Scripture to Read: John 13:6–8
We have all faced situations where we were uncomfortable for one reason or another. As Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, there is no doubt that it made most of them, if not all, feel a little uncomfortable. Peter was the only one to speak up and express his difficulty with having His Lord wash his feet. We read in John 13:6, So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Peter knew the role of the foot-washer, and it was hard for him to watch his Lord in that position. But we read in John 13:7, Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Jesus immediately let Peter know that though he did not understand why Jesus would be washing his and the other disciples’ feet, it would all make sense to them very soon. But Peter then responded to Jesus in John 13:8, Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Peter did not listen, and Jesus quickly told Peter, in a nutshell, that if he were unwilling to submit to Jesus and allow Him to wash him, then he would have no part with Him. Jesus washed Judas Iscariot’s feet, but Judas never allowed Jesus to wash him in the way Jesus meant. Cleansing and healing only come through Christ. We have nothing to offer Him but our filthy lives, but He can cleanse and use us.
Challenge & Application
• Why was Peter so uncomfortable with Jesus washing his feet?
• What kind of washing does Jesus offer, and what are the benefits of being washed by Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!