March 26: COMPLETELY CLEAN

Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” John 13:6-7

Peter would be the first to tell you that he was a slow learner. Nevertheless, this “slow learner” eventually became a powerful “mover and shaker” for the kingdom of God. On this night, Jesus was soon to be arrested and subjected to a series of unlawful “trials” before His crucifixion. But He treasured this time with His disciples before fulfilling Passover. Jesus was certainly not trying to be mysterious, but He knew that some time would pass before a full understanding of His actions would be gained.

Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (v.8) The words no part with Me struck Peter to the core. Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” (v.9)

At this time in history and culture, the practical drudgery of foot washing was reserved for the lowliest of servants. The mud and other, umm, odiferous ‘things’ that accumulated (especially between the toes) were, in a word, disgusting. In a very real sense, Peter did not want his Lord to experience the stench of his feet. Peter’s love for Jesus was deep and genuine, even if he still had some maturing to do. Immediately he sensed the need for spiritual cleansing from habitual actions and thoughts (hands…and head) that he had yet to overcome. In this sense, these things were more of a stench than his feet.

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean…” (v.10)

In Peter’s personality, the pendulum between pride and desperation, ignorance of his faults and knowledge of those same faults, swung all the way to each extreme; first one way, and then the other. Jesus knows these things better than we do, by the way. But if we will steadfastly walk with Him daily, fixing our gaze heavenward, He will assume the responsibility of continually cleansing each of us, for He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Our dear friend Peter came to understand this. To know Christ was his greatest joy! In knowing Him intimately, Peter writes that we are enabled to add…

. . . giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8