Daily devotion – 2nd April Friday 2021
John 13: 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
During the supper Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and told them to follow His example. Some Christians have copied this literally with foot washing ceremonies.
Foot washing was more than an example of humble service; it was also a parable of salvation. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. At first Peter refused to let Jesus wash his feet.
In that situation, Jesus said, Peter could not be in fellowship with Him. Next Peter requested the washing of his hands and his head as well! Jesus responded, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except his feet, but he is clean all over.” – John 13:10
It is quite clear from this that the washing was a picture of salvation and that it was in two stages. First a bath and then a regular washing of the feet.
The social custom behind this distinction was familiar in that day. Before going out to have dinner in a friend’s house, the guest would take a bath. Then, walking to the location, his feet would get dirty again. On arrival a slave would wash his feet. But he would not need a bath.
When we first come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, we are given a bath. Theologically, it is called “justification” (receiving a new status) or “regeneration” (experiencing new birth), both of which are dramatized in baptism, which is unrepeatable.
Then, because we continue to fall into sin and get spattered with the filth of the world, what we need is not another justification or regeneration or baptism but a daily forgiveness, symbolized in our regular attendance at the Lord’s Supper.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
So, Peter made two opposite mistakes. First, he protested against being washed at all. Then he asked for a bath, whereas all he needed was a washing of his feet.
What a blessing God has given to each of us of His ongoing mercy and love as we move another day closer to Good Friday and Easter Sunday 2021.