You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will. John 13:7 (NKJV)
This story takes place before Jesus’ ‘last supper’ with his disciples, before He faced the cross. John records with beautiful detail that a deeply contemplative Jesus rose from his seat and began to prepare himself and a basin of water in order to wash His disciples feet. The disciples were perplexed… Peter exclaimed “You shall never wash my feet!”
Peter didn’t say this out of pride or ignorance. I think Peter had a revelation that Jesus was the Son of God – not a man confined to the dust of the earth, but 100% otherworldly, spiritual, eternal, born of God almighty. He was aghast that such a man, such a prince would ever stoop so low as to wash his soiled feet.
But Jesus knew that what He was about to endure and overcome on the cross would change their lives forever and He wanted to SHOW his friends the extent of His grace and love. He was weaving a story of continued hope…
Jesus answers Peter “you don’t understand what I am doing, but someday you will… If I do not wash you, you cannot share companionship with me.”
Peter begs “then not just feet Lord, but wash my head and hands too.”
Peter wanted all in with Jesus. But Jesus had Peter’s redemption sorted with what was to come on the cross… His blood poured out, death, burial and resurrection would be enough to wash Peter’s mind, heart, hands… It was enough to redeem him and set him free from the bonds of his sins, past and present.
But even from the moment of redemption – a full body bathed and cleansed with the power of Christ – we still walk in a world tainted by hate, lust, despair, fear… things contrary to the presence and person of Jesus. We need to come to Him daily to reconcile the things we pick up along the way… the soiling of the world that wants to infect our hearts with its disease. Jesus was showing His friends this.
They would understand in time that He is not a distant saviour, but a personal, all involved, not afraid of dirt kind-of Saviour – the kind we desperately need.
If Jesus is leading you in ways you don’t understand… trust Him. He knows what He’s doing – the story He writes is involved, beautiful and complete… let it unfold.
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