2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39 ESV, John 13:1-30 ESV, Psalm 119:1-16 ESV, Proverbs 15:29-30 ESV
Daily Verse: “Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:8 ESV)
NIPTO (3538): “To cleanse (espec. The hands or the feet or the face). This word is only used of washing part of the body.”[i]
Jesus cleanses.
Imagine getting up from the dinner table and washing the feet of those around you. Most people don’t wear sandals and walk on dusty roads all day long; dirty feet the by-product. Yet, Jesus did exactly that to set an example for His disciples, as well as for us. Christ wants us to do as He did.
Cleansing washes away the sins of yesterday. Each morning, when we connect with Jesus, we can begin again. Letting Christ’s grace and mercy cleanse us from within allows us to do the same for others. Receiving Jesus’ forgiveness helps us to forgive people.
Wash feet.
Thankfully, we don’t have to wash people’s feet most of the time. But we must offer grace and mercy to those around us, finding ways to love them to the best of our ability. Keeping Jesus’ commandment to care for others in the forefront of our minds helps us approach relationships differently.
When I meet a cantankerous soul who presses all my buttons, I remind myself of one fact, Jesus loves them. Christ loves the grumpy person, and He died for them willingly. Remembering God’s love for the world helps me love the unlovable.
Boundaries make relationships healthy. Jesus never enabled anyone; He allowed people to live their lives the way they wanted, even if they didn’t follow Him. Unhealthy people unwilling to take responsibility for their actions might require more distance. Hardened hearts need God’s help to soften them. We can’t change people; only God can.
Follow Jesus’ example and wash the feet of those around you by offering them grace and mercy. You can’t control their actions, but you can control yours. Imitating Christ will help you love others well.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 172) Thomas Nelson
