"Jesus said, "If I can't wash you, you can't be a part of what I am doing." (John 13:8 NLT)
We require the washing away of our sin. It is critical to participation in Kingdom things. We need washing initially and routinely.
Peter had already been baptized. We learned in John 4:2 that baptism was a regular practice of Jesus’ ministry. We also know baptism to be a commandment from Mark 16:15. Peter had been submerged, yet here we find Jesus washing feet – a partial baptism. Peter was surrendering intimate and unclean portions of Himself to Jesus again.
I read this and recognize how, even as believers, heart issues crop up. We are saved and in the process of being sanctified, but we still wound and are wounded. We still sin, whether it’s our mouth or our attitude or our wrestle to forgive yet again.
If we refuse to submit these unclean parts to Jesus, we hinder the Kingdom. We can’t be a part of what Jesus is doing. Our pride tugs us away from the level of communion and fellowship Jesus is seeking. It’s uncomfortable to admit that we need washing, even if it’s only hands and feet. Practicing repentance is an act of humility and it is critical to maintaining intimate with Christ – both initially and routinely.
"Whoever conceals sin does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces finds mercy." (Proverbs 18:13 NIV)
Our confession is met with mercy. More than that, there’s joy in heaven every time a sinner repents!
"In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!" (Luke 15:7 NLT)
I have always applied this scripture to the unbeliever. There is no doubt that heaven rejoices when sinners turn to God for the first time. But don’t you think heaven also rejoices when presumedly righteous people repent? Consider the Pharisees; wouldn’t heaven go wild for even one religious person to recognize their error and turn to God in humility? I am convinced that heaven is overjoyed by repentance. Period. Initial or repeated because all have sinned and fallen short.
If this is true, we have opportunity to send waves of joy through the upper eschelons of the Kingdom every time we repent. And our confession, however ugly, is continually met with mercy.
It was mentioned again in yesterday’s sermon, it’s the prayer I keep coming back to. I hope you’ll pray it, too.
"God, have mercy on me, a sinner." (Luke 18:13 NIV)
Lord, again we acknowledge that we are sinners in constant need of grace. May we possess the humility to re-surrender our hands and feet to Your washing as many times as needed. Please keep our hearts soft and our connection strong. Amen.