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Commentaries
English
John
  
6He came to Simon Peter; and Peter said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"7Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not know, but afterward you will understand."8Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part in me."9Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"10Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not all of you."11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "You are not all clean."


The disciples were embarrassed at their Master’s washing of their feet. Had they known what he would do after the "Lord’s Supper", they would have washed their own feet spontaneously. Their Lord had not made a New Covenant between them and God only, but also showed them the content and meaning of this Covenant: It is nothing less than loving and practical service.
Peter was the most boastful and zealous of the disciples. He did not wish to be served by Jesus; so he tried to stop the washing, not heeding his Lord’s words to him. Then Jesus explained the mystery of feet-washing to all the disciples, as if he were addressing us, "Without cleansing you have no part in the Kingdom, and without forgiveness of sins you cannot abide in me." Washing in his blood is constant, and the abiding in that cleansing is in progress continually. He it is who guards you in grace, keeping you in fellowship with God’s Son.
At that, Peter saw the light, looking at his hands which had worked evil, and thinking of his slow brain in understanding the plan of God. He was ashamed and asked for added cleansing to cover his entire being. Jesus reassured him, "Whoever comes to me becomes pure, complete on the basis of his faith." Thus we learn that we do not need a special cleansing or added holiness, because the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. There is no holiness greater or more perfect than the forgiveness of sins by his blood. As we daily gather dust walking to and fro, we constantly pray, "Forgive our trespasses". While god’s children need daily to wash their feet only, the children of this world need a total cleansing.
Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "You are clean." He invited them to enter into covenant with God. The Lamb died for his disciples to make them mete to abide in divine fellowship. No man is clean in himself, but Christ’s blood cleanses us from all sin.
Sadly, not all his followers were holy, as also the case is today. Some of them give lip service to this basic cleansing and behave as if they believe in Christ’s blood, but the Holy Spirit does not fill them. Satan’s spirit incites hatred, envy, pride and adultery in them. So among the pious you often find those possessed by base sprits and love of money. Jesus desires to wash your feet daily and free you from all kinds of sin, and cleanse you thoroughly for fellowship with God. Examine yourself, are you a servant or a master?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, we thank you for emptying yourself of glory and coming down to us the unclean. You stooped down to wash your disciples feet, and you have cleansed our hearts from sins. We worship you beseeching you to free us from all proud thoughts, so that we may bow down and become your servants. Help me to become the least of all, and be ready to serve you in my church and family.
Question
What is meant by Jesus washing his disciples’ feet?