Today’s Reading: John 13:6-11
Hearing God’s Voice for Today:
“Jesus answered them, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’”
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There were two symbolic meanings behind the foot-washing Jesus gave to the disciples. He wants all his followers to understand both of them.
Peter objected when Jesus began to wash his feet. When Jesus told Peter that he could not share in fellowship with him unless he washed his feet, Peter asked Jesus to wash his entire body.
Peter’s objection points to the first meaning: the forgiveness of your sins. This was the purpose of the cross. When you accept the washing made available through the cross, you become “completely clean” in God’s eyes. All sins are forever forgiven and you become his for all eternity. The only exception among the disciples was Judas, who had already decided to betray Jesus. He was not one of our Lord’s sheep.
There was another symbolic meaning behind the foot washing: Yes, you are forever forgiven. But as you continue your life’s journey, you will still sin and accumulate dirt on your soul. You’ll still fall prey to your old nature’s yearnings to rebel against the Lord. You’ll still need to return to him and ask for forgiveness.
John, in one of the letters he penned to the churches, wrote, “If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just and forgives you of all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
In other words, even as God’s child, you will need daily grace.
When you do something that hurts the Lord’s heart, come back to the cross. Be washed again. Receive anew his steadfast love. It never ceases. It is new every morning.
Jesus loves to clean a sullied heart. He loves to renew a right spirit in us. He desires to give grace to the disobedient.
Jesus asks just one thing: Don’t use his grace as an excuse to sin. That cheapens his grace. It makes a mockery of his death and resurrection. In doing this, you are taking advantage of his love as you rebel against him. It’s a total misuse and abuse of his grace. It breaks his heart, and it deserves his severest condemnation.
Yes, following Jesus is costly. It’s not for the fainthearted. It demands all you are to be all he is. It is extremely difficult and challenging at times.
But his grace is the fuel that will keep you moving forward. It will never fail you. It’s what has empowered you to live for Jesus until now. This grace will lead you home.
It should lead to a fervent faithfulness as you follow him.
Let Jesus wash you again and again with his grace—today, and every day.
[from “Hearing the Voice of God” by Pastor David Chadwick, Moments of Hope Church, Charlotte, NC]