The Truth about Jesus Washing Feet
The washing of the feet in John 13 can really teach Christians a lot about how to carry themselves in this spiritual hour. Jesus’ demonstration of servanthood during that Passover season speaks to the way we as His followers today should prioritize unity and harmony while discerning the times and avoid being distracted by offenses.
In a sermon series titled, “The Unoffendable Heart 2024,” Apostle Mike Signorelli highlighted the great significance of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples during the Passover celebration. The Passover is a feast celebrated in remembrance of God's deliverance from the spirit of death in Egypt by placing the blood of the lamb on the doorpost of each Israelite. Before the washing of the feet, Jesus was about to likewise spill His blood to deliver His people from death.
Discern the Hour
Jesus knew the time of His death and the events leading up to it were upon Him. It is important to recognize the specific season and time we as Christians are in. The time of "foolishness and games" and division within the church is over, we are in an "hour that demands of us unity, harmony... to see in the spiritual realm," Apostle Mike instructed.
The Bible says: Teach me to number my days so that my heart might be full of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Jesus had His life divided into seasons and hours and He knew how to discern what those hours were. Like Him, we must increase our understanding of the hour in which we are currently living in. In doing so, you can use your time wisely.
Jesus knew He would leave this world to return to the Father, which influenced how He spent His time on earth. Every single decision Jesus made before His death on earth was in response to understanding eternity. We ought to live in a way that well reflects we are preparing for eternity.
Offense Opens the Door to Devil
Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus was inspired by the devil. Like Judas, Christians are not immune to Satan's prompting even though we are washed by the blood of Jesus. Judas was offended when he saw Mary of Bethany take a pound of expensive perfume and anoint Jesus' feet with it Luke 7:36–50. That offense opened a door for demonic influence.
When someone takes the temptation of offense and entertains it, offense turns to gossip and gossip turns into murmuring, complaining, and criticizing. The Bible says where you find those things you find every evil work.
Judas opened the door of offense towards Jesus when he questioned the Lord about Mary.
Satan took that opening of offense and forcibly kicked the doors off the hinges of Judas’ heart. Which led him to betray the Messiah.
Although Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, before the betrayal, He took a task for the lowest-ranking servant in that cultural setting and washed His feet anyway. That act of humility has resonated through generations on how to truly serve one another regardless of reciprocation or not.
Receive the Cleansing
In ancient times it was expected if you showed up at the house of somebody who was well off that their lowest-ranking servant would actually take you aside when you first walked through the door and they would wash your feet.
"Jesus got up from the table, Jesus takes off His robe and then He wraps a towel around His waist. Now when He did that most likely there were gasps in the room," The V1 Church leader illustrated.
Christ then instructed: “Since I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet and I have given you an example to follow, as I have done to you."
Peter initially resisted having his Lord wash His feet but when he was corrected by Jesus, Peter then asked Him to wash his hands and head too (John 13:8,9). Believers must allow Jesus to symbolically wash their feet. We are all in need of His cleansing and love in all areas of our lives, including those of past traumas and sins.
We tend to make futile attempts to clean up ourselves but instead, we symbolically spread the dirt all over. As followers of Christ, we must let Christ wash us clean daily.
Develop an unoffendable heart and by overcoming evil with good. Focusing on the sacrifice of Christ and respond to the temptation of offense with blessings and good deeds instead. Let us mirror Jesus' actions and wash the feet of those who will even betray us.
"Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them... Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all... don't be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good"
—Romans 12:14–21
Use Jesus’ washing the disciples' feet as a powerful illustration of the need for humility, service, unity, and a deep personal acceptance of Christ's cleansing love. Discern the urgency of the present time and go actively embody the servant leadership example exemplified by Jesus.
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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