How to be Refreshed by Grace

On the very last dinner Jesus had with His disciples, He did a very symbolic act. He washed the disciple’s feet. Now during this time, they walked everywhere they went. They also wore sandals everywhere they went. This resulted in very dirty feet. They had a custom because of this, the servant of the house would take water and a rag to clean the guest’s feet. This was a metaphor of Jesus washing us with the word.

When Jesus went to wash Peter’s feet, Peter would not let him because he felt unworthy. Jesus then explained how important this was. Peter replied, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Peter is always the one with the questions. Jesus responded saying, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you” (John 13:10). This was symbolic. Jesus was explaining how we have already been cleansed from all of our sins. Our spiritual feet become dirty, not because of sin, but because we walk in a fallen world. Our spiritual body has already been cleansed through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus washes our feet with the water of the word. The moment you got saved your sins were washed away.

When Jesus is saying that our feet need to be cleaned, He is not telling us how we we have sinned and need to be clean. Remember Jesus feet had to be cleaned as well, and Jesus never sinned. The best way to look at this is to see that as we have walked throughout this fallen world, much dust can get on our feet. Because of this, we need to be reminded of who we are in Christ.

Have you ever been in a service where you felt refreshed by the message? This is God, washing you with His word. Remember how you have been cleansed of all of your sins. Allow God to refresh you with the water of His word.