Act of Spiritual Cleansing

John 13:12-17
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

It's amazing to read this story. I heard it just the other week in Alabama. The last night our leader, Pam, washed our feet. It was a very emotional service as we realized what it meant - our sins are washed away!

Jesus washed the feet of all his disciples. He was very meticulous too. It's humility at its best. I think I've mentioned it before during Lent but Peter did not want anything to do with his feet being washed. Soon enough, it was his turn.

He was the only disciple to question the master, God, on what he was doing. It took a while before the disciples understood the significance of this highly symbolic Passover event. The ceremony is a symbol of the humble act of service that Christians are asked to give to God and mankind unconditionally - without putting emphasis our own conditions.

Jesus tells the disciples in an earlier verse that if they do not take part in this event they will have "no part in me." In other words, it was a spiritual cleanse rather than an ordinary act of personal hygiene. This cleansing happened through his bloodshed and death because of man's sin.

The lesson here is that if Christ was humbly able to serve his followers in something that is thought to be a lowly human task, then his disciples and followers, like us, should be determined to do some not so pleasant things if it means glorifying God and serving others.

Ask God to help you understand the concept of foot washing and to provide you with the humility that accompanies it. Also, don't make excuses and come up with reasons why others should serve you, but find ways to serve them instead!