MINUTE MEDITATION
"After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." John 13:5 (Read John 13:1-17)
If you were there when Jesus began to wash His disciples' feet, what would you have done? Would you have been like Peter, who at first refused and said to Jesus, "Thou shalt never wash my feet" (v. 8)? Peter was not about to let Jesus stoop to do the job of a servant and wash his feet. Yet, when Jesus pointed out that those who would not let Him wash them had no part in Him, Peter was ready to have Jesus wash his hands and head also.
Today too, many are unwilling to let Jesus do the work of a servant and cleanse away the filth of their sin. But those who will not let Jesus wash away their sins and cleanse them in His shed blood have no part in Him; they remain lost forever!
What about you? Jesus suffered and died upon the cross for your sins. He paid in full! Will you let Him wash you and cleanse you from the filth of your sin? Are there yet some areas in your life which you refuse to let Him cleanse?
Jesus also told His disciples that He was giving them an example. As He humbled Himself to serve them, so also they should humble themselves to serve each other. If Jesus, God's own dear Son, could humble Himself to wash His disciples' feet-if He could humble Himself and bear the punishment for the sins of the world that He might grant us forgiveness-certainly we are not above humble service to our brethren, nor are we above forgiving those who have offended us (cf. Philippians 2:5ff.; Galatians 6:1-3; Ephesians 4:32).
O dearest Jesus, wash away my sins and cleanse my heart with Your shed blood. Move me also to humbly serve the needs of others and share with them Your grace and forgiveness. Amen.