Experience a transformative Easter devotional. Discover the layers of meaning and symbolism in the biblical events.
As Peter rounded the corner toward the open market, he stopped, lifted his foot, and shook his sandal. The bright afternoon sun had shone in his eyes, and he nearly collided with that woman and her donkey. He had stumbled and stepped back in a hurry. Now he took a stick and scraped off the dung. At least most of it was gone. He would have to find some water. Somebody’s rooster was making an awful racket this afternoon.
. . .
We understand the Bible was God-breathed and the written events have layers of meaning, symbols, metaphors, types, and shadows.
We can experience God’s voice through Scripture as the voice of many waters.
When His words are opened up, layers upon layers of meaning crash in upon our soul, like the pounding surf to wash us with peace like the ocean tide.
Therefore, we can expect Jesus’ words to the disciples at the Passover meal to have layers of meaning as well.
And so, I can wonder why Jesus was adamant about clean feet.
We read that as the meal neared the end, Jesus set aside His outer robe, took a towel, and girded Himself as a servant would have done.[1] He poured water into a basin and began to wash and dry the disciples’ feet.
When He came to Simon Peter, Peter questioned Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
No doubt Peter spoke aloud what did not make sense to all the disciples.
Jesus answered, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
Peter responded quickly from his own experience, “You shall never wash my feet!” But Jesus answered, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
To which Peter replied, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!”
Then Jesus gives us some explanation in verses 10-11:
Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore, He said, “You are not all clean” (John 13: 3-11 NKJV).
The Conversation Was About More Than Feet
Although providing water or a servant to wash the feet of guests was common practice in ancient times, and is referenced a great number of times in the Bible, here Jesus also used a physical act of washing feet to explain a spiritual reality.
The disciples were already made clean by their belief in Jesus to wash away their sins. They were washed completely and just needed their feet to be cleansed.
At the beginning of the meal, Jesus had reprimanded the disciples for bickering about who was the greatest in the kingdom. Yes, their attitudes needed washing.
The conversation was about more than feet, and even more than humility and servanthood. Jesus was concerned about the cleanliness of their attitudes and motives.
He was trying to teach them the importance of a holy walk.
Sometimes Our Feet Get Dirty
Sometimes our feet get dirty. Simply by living in this fallen world, we can see things we should not see. We can hear things we should not hear. We can walk into some contaminated situations.
Maybe our neighbor tried to take advantage of us, or our coworker pulled a bad scheme against us. Maybe our family turns against us, or maybe people at church turn against us.
I am assuming because you are reading this article, you are a saved disciple of Christ who is trying to follow Him and live His ways.
Yet, simply by walking this path, we can pick up some dirt and dung on our feet.
Why Is It Important To Keep Our Feet Clean?
Jesus told the disciples, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
The original language word translated “part” in the phrase “have no part with me” carries the meaning of “participation, having a share in someone or something.”
When we are saved, we are bathed completely, washed clean.[2]
However, our growing relationship and communion with a holy God depend on keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
He insists that His disciples be holy because He is holy and they continue to abide with faith in His word.[3] His word washes
If we continue to walk this Christian path with more and more gunk on our feet, our relationship with our Lord will be greatly hindered. Our bad attitudes impede our participation with Him and we forfeit our share of what He is doing.
Jesus brought a new covenant with an incredible inheritance, but as long as we are spiritual children we can’t access all that He has for us in this life.
We must continue to allow Him to wash our feet (even daily) as we walk through this dusty world. He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us, and heal our hearts.
Our heart condition is the central focus of the spiritual life with Christ.
The heart is the focus of all of Jesus’ teaching, and from our heart our character is formed.
Our innermost desires, motivations, intents, and purposes are most important to God. Thus, we heed the biblical warning to, “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov 4:23 NIV).
My Prayer For You
Lord, I pray for my friends and readers that they will allow Your light to shine in their heart and reveal all the dirt, even the dust, that needs cleansing. I pray you will cover them with your precious blood and cleanse them from everything not in line with your ways. Heal all the hurts life has dumped upon them. Thank you, my precious Jesus.
Action Steps to Keep Your Heart Clean
1. Ask Jesus to reveal things in your heart that need to be dealt with and ask Him how you should go about dealing with them.
2. Ask for forgiveness, and from people if applicable. Thoroughly forgive others.
3. Ask for Jesus to heal your heart wound.
4. Give the situation to Him for His vengeance and justice
and He will give you peace.
Related Articles:
The Easter Story Devotional (Creatively Told)
[1] A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, John 13:4, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press 1933).
[2] The New Testament is written in Greek, and verbs carry more meaning in Greek than in English.
Wiersbe, W. W The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 345–346). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. (1996).
