Tonight we observe Maundy Thursday at our church. The word "Maundy" is about "washing" as tonight one of the things we read about is Jesus washing his disciples feet. This occurred the night they were celebrating the Jewish Passover. This is such a powerful passage with so many lessons within!
When Jesus was washing his disciples feet, Peter at first refused. I expect he felt that it was wrong for the Son of God to be bent down over his own dusty, dirty feet. At his refusal, Jesus told him that if he wasn't washed by Jesus, he would have no part of him. That must have sounded mysterious to Peter but he immediately agreed to the washing and in fact, offered his entire body for Jesus to wash!
These guys did not yet understand what all was going on there. How could they? But Peter knew he wanted to be totally washed by Jesus if that was what would draw him nearer. Isn't that what we all need, to be totally washed by Jesus? Not only for the cleansing of our sins, but to draw us near to him, to be a part of him.
When Jesus was washing his disciples feet, Peter at first refused. I expect he felt that it was wrong for the Son of God to be bent down over his own dusty, dirty feet. At his refusal, Jesus told him that if he wasn't washed by Jesus, he would have no part of him. That must have sounded mysterious to Peter but he immediately agreed to the washing and in fact, offered his entire body for Jesus to wash!
These guys did not yet understand what all was going on there. How could they? But Peter knew he wanted to be totally washed by Jesus if that was what would draw him nearer. Isn't that what we all need, to be totally washed by Jesus? Not only for the cleansing of our sins, but to draw us near to him, to be a part of him.
John 13:1-17
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him,and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
This is one of my favorite songs and it goes well with these verses. I hope you enjoy it as well.
