Foot Washing

Jn. 13:10

Jesus said to him, The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not everyone of you.

After Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, He makes some weighty statements. But first Peter, in typical fashion, declares that he wants his hands and head to be washed as well. But Jesus says no. The one who is clean, that is the one who has been saved and redeemed, bought back with the blood of Jesus, has no need to be washed anymore than his feet. Why? Because he has been made clean by Jesus' blood. But why the feet? Because the feet are what we use when we walk through this world. The feet are the parts that come in direct contact with the dirt and the grime of this world. Metaphorically, the feet refer to our daily sins, the ones that must be confessed continually. We are saved eternally, nothing can change that, but the constant cleansing because of our contamination with the world must be ongoing. We are no longer in bondage to sin, but we still sin. Not that we want to sin, but in the moment, the flesh seems to entice us to change our wants and desires. 

Speaking of the world and the flesh, 1 Jn. 2: 15-16 is helpful. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world. The world is comprised of the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride of life. Desire and pride! What a combo! These are the things that take us down. These are the things that need constant confessing. Even though we are saved eternally with the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are still in the body of flesh, a body that is very weak and prone to cave. That is why in Scripture, we have the warnings, Be alert! Watch and pray! Be vigilant! As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we must be on guard! Watching constantly for the next roadblock! Always concerned that are feet are clean! And if not, washing them. 

Father,

Help me to have a heart of ready confession and repentance. Help me not to brush off things as nothing when they are something, when they are sin. Thank You for bathing me in the blood of Jesus and saving me eternally. 

In His name,

Amen