John 13:6 – Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Jesus did many wonderful things during His earthly ministry. But this act of washing the disciple’s feet was the most humbling thing He did prior to going to the cross.
Think about it! He had already laid aside His glory when He came to earth, now He “laid aside his garments” (vs. 4) and took sinful feet of mortal man in His eternal holy hands.
The significance of this act is not in the ritual, but the spiritual. It was customary in that day to wash the feet of guests because people wore sandals and their feet would easily get dirty. Jesus was teaching the disciples a lesson of humility and service to others. Peter may have alluded to this incident in 1 Peter 5:5 when he said, “be clothed with humility.”
The greater type is found in the initial washing of the blood of Jesus for salvation. Once washed the sinner turned saint doesn’t have to be washed all over again, he only needs to have his feet washed because they get dirty walking in this world.
The washing for sanctification is something many Christians refuse, because like Peter they are embarrassed, ashamed, or too proud to have their feet exposed. But, oh the joy that Jesus brings when He cleans you from the sin and filth of this world!
We often kneel before our Lord in prayer and humble worship, but in this case we should let Him kneel in front of us with towel in hand to wash our feet. He will sanctify and cleanse us “with the washing of water by the word” (Eph. 5:26) if we will consent. He wants to wash you, why not let Him?
