It was before Passover, and Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to return to the Father. He had always loved his followers in this world, and he loved them to the very end.
Even before the evening meal started, the devil had made Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, decide to betray Jesus.
Jesus knew he had come from God and would go back to God. He also knew that the Father had given him complete power. So during the meal Jesus got up, removed his outer garment, and wrapped a towel around his waist. He put some water into a large bowl. Then he began washing his disciples' feet and drying them with the towel he was wearing.
But when he came to Simon Peter, this disciple asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered, “You don't really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“You will never wash my feet!” Peter replied.
“If I don't wash you,” Jesus told him, “you don't really belong to me.”
John 13:1-8 CEV
Jesus knew who He was, where He came from, and where He was going. He knew he held all the power in His hands. Even so, He knelt down and washed the disciples’ feet. Imagine a human ruler doing that.
Jesus was not like any other person who ever lived. Mary gave birth to Him, but the Holy Spirit placed that life within her. Everyone could see Jesus differed from His brothers and sisters. Even after walking with Him for three years, the disciples still didn’t understand why He washed their feet.
But Jesus understood. He knew what the dirt of this world could do to a heart. He knew where the stains hid. And He knows how to wash them away.
Even today, Jesus washes the parts of you that are not clean. Human nature wants to hide the dirt. Jesus wants to wash it off. And if you don’t let Him wash you, then you don’t really belong to Him.
The dusty roads of Israel made foot-washing a necessity while Jesus walked this earth. The Dusty Roads of Modern Life make His cleansing just as necessary today. Each step you take needs His grace. Every stain needs His touch. Every day needs His mercy.
Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, cleanse me from the filth of this world. Show me every step You want me to take today, tomorrow, and every day as long as I live here on earth. And Lord, give me the humility to let You wash the dirt off my life so everyone will know I belong to You. Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen.”
