John 13
Washing feet in this day & age…
a common act of hospitality
usually performed by a servant to clean guests' dusty feet
after they walked on unpaved roads (where animals also walked) in sandals.
This task was considered lowly and humbling
a sign of servitude.
Guests also reclined at tables for meals
Simon Peter didn’t understand it all here…he just believed Jesus.
verses 10-11
A spiritual bath: The initial act of being "bathed" refers to a person's initial cleansing from sin, which is a one-time event of salvation through faith in Jesus.
Washing of the feet: The need to "wash his feet" symbolizes the ongoing cleansing that occurs throughout your walk with Jesus…when we confess our sins, the ones that happen along the way! Even though we’re trying our best to avoid the dust and horse droppings…and the STUFF out there in the world, sometimes it happens TO us, and sometimes we make mistakes…it’s the stuff that happens along the way that we have to wash off occasionally!
"You are clean, but not all of you": This phrase refers to the fact that all the disciples were spiritually "clean" because of their faith in Jesus, but not all of them were truly clean in their hearts.
He’s saying, I am the Master, you are the slave…and yet, I just washed your feet.
Jesus is the MESSAGE, we are just the messengers…and yet, HE washed feet. There is no room for pride in the Kingdom!
1 Corinthians 11:26-32
Hebrews 6:4-6, 11-12
So how do we avoid becoming spiritually dull and indifferent?
How do we avoid nailing Jesus to that cross like Judas?
1. Stay in the Word
2. Humble Yourself
3. Serve each other
John 13:31-35