Thursday 6 Apr 2023

April 6: John 13:1-11

Key Verse: John 13:10
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.’

Devotion:
Depending on where you are in the world today could be known as something like Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday or Thursday of Mysteries. Whatever you know this day as, it is the day Christians commemorate some of the things Jesus did before being taken away; one of them being the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus. We may cringe a little at the thought of having to bow down and wash someone else's feet, but give a thought to Jesus back then...

We tend to walk around with shoes and socks or stockings to protect our feet and hence our feet are kept in a reasonable condition. Back then most people would be wearing some form of open sandal and walking around the dusty streets and paths would mean a whole lot of dirt would collect, and on hot days that may well mix in with sweat! Whilst I’m sure they would have cleaned their feet to some extent after coming into the house, things would still not be like nowadays!

Jesus did not do this because of the state of their feet but rather because of the state of their souls – and not the souls of their shoes! Jesus knew the state of each of the disciples. He knew what they were going through and He knew what they were about to face. That was of more concern to Him right now than the string of events which would be coming His way! That is love!

Peter did not want to have his Lord stoop down to wash his feet, so he objected to start with. But when Jesus hinted it was of more importance than anything to now Peter wanted Jesus to wash everything! But Jesus told him it was the single act of washing a single part which would make the whole clean. Jesus knows that cleaning us is going to be an ongoing task because we will continue to sin, but it is the first act of cleaning which proclaims us as clean forever!

Points to Ponder:
Do you get tied up in worrying about your sins?

Jesus has forgiven you the first time – that is enough!