“ahhhh – it feels so good.” A foot massage by a chiropodist or even a podiatrist. But I was reading this morning in John 13 of something far superior. When the Lord Jesus Christ took off His outer garments and wrapped a towel around Himself and bent down, (probably upon His knees) and took the grimy, dirty feet of the disciples into His tender hands – what must it have felt like? The physical feeling of having your feet cared for – relaxing and soothing. The hygienic feeling – “My feet are clean!” But more significant – the spiritual touch of the heart: “The Lord Himself has stooped down to wash my feet.”
The significance for me today? I got my bath the moment I trusted Christ – washed all over, my sins were washed away. But daily, I need to have the dirt and grime of daily-living cleansed. The exposure to garbage, bad language, idle chatter, craziness, lusts, and the selfishness of the world I live in and in my own ‘flesh’ – all of this needs to be washed off or else it will build up.
How does a christian get washed each day? Through reading the Word of God. It’s a must for survival. Do you have any rhyme or reason to the way you read your Bible – some kind of a system? Over the next week or two, I will try to send you some information on how to read your Bible from cover to cover in 2006 without getting bogged down or bored. You’ll love it.
But the other lesson in John 13 is this: “If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Yes, traditionally it had been the role of the common house slave to wash off the guests’ feet. But if Christ in His sweet humility and service to others….well, if He did it, how much more should I do it for other believers! How can I do it? By showing kindness to others and encouraging them from the Word of God. Just sharing one little simple verse that you enjoyed today – that’s the equivalent of feet-washing!
In your group of friends, ask them for permission to start sharing something you have enjoyed or noticed from the Bible. “Hey guys – I don’t want to come across as super spiritual or as a holy halo hypocrite – but why don’t we try doing something in 2006. You know the Bible ??? …. well, why don’t we start talking about something we’ve read each day. Others are doing it – we should try.” Whether its thru emails, MSN, outings, travelling, or just chillin’ with friends – share something you noticed and enjoyed from your Bible. It is called spiritual feet washing.
Did you get washed off today or is the dirt and grime still between your fingers and under your nails? Let God speak to you thru His Word – let Him clean you up. Read and pray each day.