March 19, 2018

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” John 13:5-8 New American Standard

God isn’t going to leave any corner of your life un-touched or out-of-reach. A water basin and towel hardly seem like surgical instruments .. but in His hands? The disciple’s feet hardly seemed like the parts to make unforgettable .. but in His hands? That’s where He left grace imprinted on their hearts … and yours. You could probably imagine something more obvious to wash in your life. Feet? Jesus doesn’t hesitate to wash your feet knowing everything about you: your struggle .. failures .. addiction .. repeating condemnation .. silent judgment .. and hidden crevices of guilt or shame. We more often than not respond like Peter and divert the attention away from ourselves or claim to be able to take care of it. We’d rather not bother Him or admit we need His grace for those areas. But how we do .. and how gracious Jesus is to wash us clean. It’s only later that we realize how desperate we really were for His care. But Jesus doesn’t leave us there. He told them they were to be like Him .. a servant of grace. What qualifies you? Dirty feet .. dirty heart .. dirty past .. or a dirty mind?  It’s offensive to find out you’re so qualified to become a foot-washer who follows Jesus. There wasn’t one look of condemnation on His face with those disciples. It’s the same with you. How far did He go to find you? “What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”   If you’ll let Him .. He’ll use your life to be His hands .. for somebody just like you. It only takes a moment …

For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:15-17 New American Standard

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped.com is sent to foot-washers scattered everywhere.