One of my favorite stories in the New Testament comes just before Christ’s time in Gethsemane. While in the upper room, Jesus approaches His disciples and performs a humble service for them. He washes their feet. Like most messages from the Savior, this served many purposes and carried a different message for each level of spiritual understanding. I appreciate the knowledge I have gained from this one act. But, I’d like to share with you the message that means the most to me personally.
I love Peter’s surprise that Christ would even suggest to wash His servant’s feet. He loves his Lord and Master so much that he does not want to see Him in such a humble position. Peter worries that allowing the Savior to wash his feet would mean he somehow felt himself better than his Master. Of course, this was part of the message that Christ was conveying. We all need the humility to help and serve each other, placing ourselves on an equal level with our fellow man not trying to show our superiority. He says:
“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” John 13:15-16
But, Christ also knew something about what was about to happen. He knew what His ultimate purpose in life was. He was sent to redeem us from our sins and open the gates to the resurrection and eternal life. Both gifts were to be given to show us the way back into Heavenly Father’s presence. Eternal life is a universal gift that He gave to everyone of us. A redemption of our sins is contingent on our choices. We choose whether or not we will accept his cleansing power within our lives. We choose how important He will be to us.
Peter helps me understand this choice in a very personal way. When Christ approaches him, Peter essentially asks: Why are you doing this?
Christ answers that though Peter is unable to understand right now, he would soon know why this needed to happen. Still Peter is upset by this action. He feels that he should be the one washing Christ’s feet. He refuses to let Christ serve him in this manner. I think that had I been in the same situation I would have said and done the same thing.
Then Jesus sternly opens Peter’s eyes to the importance of the situation.
“Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” John 13:8
Poor Peter! He has wanted nothing more than to follow, serve and love His savior since he was called to be a disciple. Now Christ tells him that unless He is allowed to wash Peter’s feet, Peter can not be truly His.
Peter’s response to Christ’s gentle reprimand is my favorite part of the whole story.
“Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” John 13:9
If this was a requirement for Christ’s love and guidance he didn’t want to do it half way. Peter wanted to belong totally and completely to the Savior. Can we say the same thing?
Let’s look a little closer at the symbolism of Christ’s actions. Feet at that time were a lot less clean than they are today. They were exposed to the dirt, dust, sand and grime of everyday life. Having your feet washed was privilege upon entering someone’s home as a guest. But, the actual washing was performed by a servant, not the master of the house.
Christ turned this tradition on its side by adding a dimension of not only honor but of invitation toward higher things. Shortly after this experience Christ would depart for the garden of Gethsemane where he would come face to face with all the world’s sins and accept them onto Himself. His acceptance takes the stain away from our own lives. His atonement has the ability to wash away the sins, cares and pain of the world we face every day— If we will let Him into our lives and bare our feet for Him to wash.
This is the sweetest part of the gospel of Jesus Christ for me. He willingly gives me this gift. If I knock at His door and ask to sit at His table, he washes my feet and invites me in. I’d like to be more like Peter. When he found out how much this seemingly simple act meant for him, he pleaded: “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” He wanted every part of himself to be clean and worthy of a place at the Savior’s side. Though the scripture continues with Christ telling Peter that his feet were enough, I love the image of a humble and loving Peter who asks to be the Lord’s fully and completely with nothing held back.
How can I show that same level of love and devotion in my own life? By letting the Savior wash my feet. More than that, it’s holding nothing back. It’s laying before the Savior all my sins, fears and frailties and asking Him to make them pure, to bring them in line with His will, to make me the best person I can be.
I think I tend to hold back from the Savior. Sometimes it’s a small habit that isn’t good for me, but somehow seems insignificant. Sometimes it’s a larger problem that I feel I’ve brought on myself through my own choices. I forget that He loves me even in my mistakes. Instead of reaching up for His offered hand, I struggle and claw trying to find my own way out of the pit I created. Sometimes it’s an area of my life that isn’t necessarily bad, but could definitely be better if I would commit to its improvement— But I don’t.
When something in my life doesn’t seem quite right, I look to the story of Peter and the Savior.
First, have I given Him permission to wash my feet lately?
Second, am I still holding things back from Him?
When I need to be closer, I need to let go. I need to get on my knees and plead with the Lord: Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Show me how to become Yours.
