What is considered normal in this life is focusing on ourselves. Making a constant effort of self improvement, self love, self indulgence. But that is not what Jesus taught. He showed us a new way of living. Life where all of His children are taken care of, denying themselves, and doing the work of the Lord which consists of loving God and loving others. It is a simple way of living and most freeing yet few actually follow through.
“Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.’ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!’ (John 13:8–9)
We can take this to mean if we do not allow Jesus to wash us of our sins we have no part with Him. It can also be taken to mean unless we submit to Jesus we cannot be made clean. Both requires action on our part. The Lord offers His gifts to us but we have to accept them. Not belonging to the Lord is the most frightening thought. But blessed are we for the teachings He gives to us that we might follow them. Peter was showing respect to Christ for not allowing Him to wash his feet but then turned completely and ran the other way asking more from Jesus knowing what is most important which is to belong to Christ. Let us all be like Peter, bold with his extreme request for total submission to Jesus.
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:14–17)
Even though Jesus is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords He lived as a servant and proved it in many instances including washing the feet of His disciples. Notice He said, “blessed are you if you do them” for it is not enough to know them. Faith requires action and without action faith is dead. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet for the glory of the Father and just the same the Lord wants us to serve others giving glory to the Father who has called us.
It might be instinct to turn away a stranger on the street asking for something but the Lord might be calling. You might say, “I have nothing to give.” The truth is you always have something to give. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood up and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:6–8) We may not always have money or food to give to someone in need, instead we have something worth far more than silver or even gold. We carry inside of us always the Love of God who saved us and gives us strength everyday. Without Him we take not another breath but with Him everything is possible.
To belong to Christ we have to let him wash us, and when we do we are made clean glorifying God. We should also seek to wash the feet of others, serving them, and fulfilling the reason for our creation. It is always better to give than to receive and when we give the Father knows. When we take on the love for others our life bubbles with new purpose and meaning. Our fears wash away and our strengths rise to the surface for we are no longer living for ourselves but out of love for God and love for others.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35)
Guest Author | Donald Pay
Originally published at https://medium.com/@DonaldPay
