The Reversal

Read

John 13:8-9, “Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!'”

Think

Talk about the ultimate 180-degree roller coaster ride! First, Peter resists the act of Jesus washing his feet. Then, he reverses, insisting that Jesus wash his hands and head as well. He rejects Jesus’ act of humility, but when Jesus spelled out the importance of it, he accepted the offer – and then some!

 

Jesus’s words have profound meaning: “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” In Peter’s mind, it was not suitable for the Messiah to be humiliated by stooping to wash their feet. But Peter had to realize that Christ came to be humiliated. If Peter could not accept this act of washing his feet, he would certainly have trouble accepting what Jesus would do for him on the cross. So, when Peter asked that his whole body be washed, he was demonstrating that he was all in. He wanted Jesus to be Lord of all. He knew that if Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all!

Act

Pinpoint one thing you believe Jesus wants you to do that you have not done yet. Commit today to do a reversal like Peter and do what your Lord wants to be done!

 

Pray

Jesus, you are Lord. I will not refuse what you want to be done in my life. Give me the strength to accomplish all You want to happen in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.