Standing Before God With Clean Feet

"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” "Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean" - John 13:3-10

The meaning of washing feet in Hebrew as per the Bible encompasses themes of hospitality, humility, purity, service, forgiveness, and leadership, all of which hold profound spiritual significance in the Hebrew cultural context and continue to carry symbolic importance in Christian traditions today. - Dr. Mark Tolbert, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Many Christians practice foot washing for any number of reasons mentioned by Dr. Tolbert.

However, I think there was another point to be made by Jesus when Peter asked Jesus to wash his whole body. Whatever Jesus did or said had a spiritual point He was making. Jesus said, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet but is completely clean." When we are born again it is once forever. We don't need to be saved again and again. But we do need to be right before God. We are washed in the blood of Jesus, but we can only stand before a Holy God with clean feet.  Like Moses at the burning bush, God told him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10

As we journey in this life our feet get dirty - in other words, we sin. Like Peter, we need to have our feet washed, but not our whole body. So many Christians ignore their sin and live as if all is well spiritually between them and the father when it is not. Recall confession means agreement not revelation. God already knows about our sin. We are merely agreeing with God that we have sinned, and we repent. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone