John 13:5-8

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.

6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

“Lord, Are You washing My Feet?”

Jesus performed one of the most selfless acts anyone in history could perform at that time. He washed the disciples’ feet and wiped them with the towel wrapped around His waist. Washing feet was something only slaves did for others. If there were no slaves to wash people’s feet as they entered someone’s home, they were expected to wash their own feet. No one wanted to wash anyone else’s dirty feet. It was degrading, but Jesus chose to do this for His disciples. Jesus was the Messiah. He should have had His feet washed, but yet here He was… washing His followers’ feet. Jesus taught us a valuable lesson here. In John 13:1, John told us that Jesus loved His own, and now He was washing His own disciples’ feet. What does this tell us about the relationship between loving someone and serving them? It tells us that love and service go hand in hand. If we love others, then we will serve them. If we love God, we will serve Him. We can’t think certain acts of service are beneath us if our Savior was willing to wash feet in a culture where that was considered humiliating.

Then comes Peter’s reaction. Peter, the vocal one, the one who always spoke up first, was appalled by Jesus’ actions. Peter’s reaction alone tells us how degrading this act of service was. Jesus came to Peter and was about to wash His feet. Peter asked, “Lord, are you washing my feet?” Peter couldn’t believe it! Jesus said, paraphrasing, “You don’t understand what I am doing right now, but you will understand later.” Then Peter said, “You will never wash my feet!” Peter thought that He was standing up for Jesus when he said this. He thought He was protecting Jesus’ honor, but Jesus rebuked Him. “If you don’t allow Me to wash your feet, then you have no part with Me.” Basically, Jesus was saying, “Peter, this is My choice to serve you in this way. If you don’t allow Me to do this for you, then you are not a true follower of Me.” This was not Peter’s first time to rebuke Jesus. He had argued with Jesus before. In Matthew 16:22-23, Peter rebuked Jesus when He told His disciples that He was going to be killed. Peter told Jesus he would not allow that to happen. Jesus then rebuked Peter by saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Peter had a servant’s heart, but sometimes overstepped His boundaries. Jesus knew Peter always meant well, but that didn’t stop Him from putting Peter back in His place. We can mean well, but we can be completely wrong, can’t we? Jesus showed Peter, the other disciples, and all of us how to be a true servant. Jesus came to earth to serve, and He expects me to do the same. Love and service go hand in hand. Do I have a servant’s heart? Do I follow Jesus’ example of servitude?

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible.

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17)

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16)

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32)

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19)

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we must remain faithful until death or until Jesus returns, whichever comes first. (Rev. 2:10)

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out.

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!