Let Jesus Wash Your Feet
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” John 13:6
I think we are all familiar with the famous wall painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus's last supper with His disciples. This scene depicts the moment Jesus tells His disciples that one of them would betray Him. This is one of da Vinci’s more famous paintings, and while it is a beautiful mural, the scene the disciples witnessed and were part of before they partook of their Last Supper with Jesus transcends the beauty and significance of the painting. The scene that transpired is of Jesus stooping down to wash the disciples’ feet.
The High King of heaven stooped down, made himself a servant to serve His disciples. This is such a poignant picture of our Lord and Saviour, who had abased Himself by leaving His heavenly throne and coming down to earth. By washing their feet, He went a step further, stooping even lower - a foreshadowing of His complete humiliation on the cross the next day. Jesus, who demonstrated His power by performing miracles, signs and wonders, knelt in humility to wash their feet.
The Washing of our Soul
Peter was caught totally off guard and asked, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (John 13:6). He shunned the idea of Jesus, his Rabbi, his Master, washing his feet. But Peter’s pride stood in the way of his understanding that Jesus was alluding to His sacrificial death and resurrection that opened the way for all who believe in Him to be part of His kingdom.
Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” John 13:7-9
Imagine for a moment, Jesus stooping down to wash your feet. As He washes your feet, you feel a stirring in your soul. Imagine Him washing away the dust, the dirt, the grime that you’ve picked up during the hard seasons. Imagine Him looking tenderly into your eyes while He speaks His words of love and healing over your soul. Imagine Him asking you to lay down everything that has been weighing you down. Everything that you have put on the throne of your life – pride, self-sufficiency, your abilities. Imagine giving them to Him as He gently washes away everything that hinders you from surrendering completely so that you are able to say as Peter did, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 (ESV)
Reflection:
Are there things in your life that you need Jesus to wash away? Why not allow Him to stoop down to wash your feet, to heal your soul?
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for your obedience in abasing Yourself for me. Lord, I surrender myself to You. I invite You in to wash away everything that hinders me from surrendering to Your washing of my soul. Wash away everything that I’ve placed on the throne of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
