It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.[a]2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
John 13:1-9
I love Peter.
I imagine Jesus just smiling and shaking his head at what Peter said to him there at the feet washing.
Jesus has told him that unless he lets Jesus wash his feet, he’ll have no part with him.
So what does Peter say? Effectively he says, “Well, if having my feet washed gets me a part with you, then wash more of me so I can have more of a part!”
I love that reaction.
I taught this passage to my family today. We got our feet dirty and I washed their feet as I taught them the lesson and the thing that really stood out to me was how eager Peter was for more.
Are we that eager? Do we want more of what God has for us?
I know in my own life that sometimes the answer is yes but all too often the answer is no. “No thank you. I’m quite comfortable where I am, thank you.”
This week, think about Peter and ask yourself, “Do I want more of Christ or am I happy staying where I am? Am I eager to go further or am I happy to stay here where it’s comfortable?”
What a great thing to do/teach your family. How eager are we? Great question!
I’ve found that keeping my faith status quo, staying in my comfort zone, is not really the place I want to be. I sort of like being “uncomfortably comfortable.” Or whatever that feeling is….
Great hands-on way to teach your family, Peter!
I actually welcome the sermons that make me feel uncomfortable enough with newly discovered dirt to want some divine washing.
But the one yesterday on idolatry caught me off guard with a mention that those who look up to us can be our own form of idols–mainly because it hit a little too close to home. Here in the blogsphere it’s difficult to find the balance between such idolatry and valuing the good reputation we try to establish. *sigh*
Peter (Hey! Why does that name sound familiar?)
I often think how awkward and strange it must have seemed for the disci’s to see Jesus strip down and take that servant role. Probably they were even uncomfortable with it. It didn’t seem right. That’s why Peter scoffed and stuck his nose up at it. And Jesus says to Peter “You don’t understand now, but later you will.” How often is that the case with our lives? Things are happening that we are not so comfortable with, they don’t make sense, and we have to trust Jesus that it will all make sense later – mayber even MUCH later! In the meantime we just let him drench us with his heart.
I love this! Our church spent months dissecting Peter’s life. I loved that series. I loved how he followed with wild abandon (like jumping out of the boat onto the stormy sea). I love, too, how Christ redeemed Peter after he denied him. Peter’s life fascinates me! Loved the post. Thanks!
It’s funny; I never really thought of Peter’s request to have Jesus wash more of him in that way. I always just shook my head at his misunderstanding of everything and at his misapplied zeal. But, the way you put it makes a lot of sense. I love it.
But you’re still in my doghouse for being prejudiced against non-twits.