Let Jesus Wash your Feet

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13: 6-8, )  

When Jesus came to Peter to wash his feet, Peter refused, even admonished Jesus for stooping to such a low work. Since Peter was fully aware of who Jesus was—the Son of the living God—he was not about to allow Jesus to wash his feet, a task reserved for those whose station it was in life to refresh and cleanse the feet of weary travelers and guests. But Jesus admonished Peter right back. Stating unless Peter allowed him to wash his feet, he could have no part with him.  

Jesus comes to serve us today also. He comes to wash our feet, dirtied from this earthly journey, to refresh our weary souls, to lift our heavy hearts, to calm our anxious fears, to dry our tears. Have you truly become convinced of your Savior’s willingness to serve you? To stoop low or leave his heavenly throne to enter into your earthly mess? The Shepherd wants to serve his sheep. The King of kings and Lord of lords wants to extend his kingdom to us, the poor and lowly; to share his heavenly riches with the poor and needy. We are not to reject him or be prideful.

All the disciples had a lesson to learn about serving others through the example of Jesus, and Peter had a lesson to learn about being served by the Savior. Let’s Pray,

Lord, we do not mean to reject you. We have not understood that refusing the care you bring, refusing your comfort, or healing, or refreshing we are also refusing you. Forgive our sin of refusal which is also pride. Amen

Reflective Questions for soul-Tending:

When or how has the Savior come to wash your feet and you rejected his service?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of soul-care?