The washing of the feet — “a very short story, but one with such rich content,” says Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider before going on to add, “Let us understand this lesson and put it into practice. The blessing will be great!”
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’” — This Bible text from John 13: 7 was the focus of the divine service on 24 February 2017 in Nelspruit.
The context: Jesus washed the feet of the disciples during the Last Supper. And Peter did not want to allow the Lord to perform this slave’s work upon him. But when Jesus made it clear that it had to be, Peter told Him to wash his head and hands as well.
Living in a time of faith
“God cannot always explain to us what He is doing right at the moment. Because even if He were to do so, we would not be able to understand it,” explained the Chief Apostle. “We are only human beings, and He is the almighty God!” “
Nevertheless, “we know our heavenly Father. He wants to lead us into His kingdom. For this reason we trust Him.” When the work of redemption is done, all questions will be answered, “but today we live in a time of faith and trust.”
A source of blessing
Peter had first wanted to tell Jesus what He had to do, and then how He was supposed to do it. “Yes, that’s the way we are too at times,” said the Church leader before going on to list some examples: sometimes we think the Church that should work differently, or that this rule or those brethren should change. “Let us be humble. Jesus wants to save us, so let us allow Him to do so as He wishes.”
By washing their feet, Jesus wanted to impart a special lesson to the disciples. They had needed a moment to understand it. Whatever happens in life, the following still holds true today: “Instead of being aggravated or reacting with reproaches, let us ask our heavenly Father, ‘What do You want to teach me here?’” That is the way to turn even the most difficult challenge into a source of blessing.
Following the example
By washing their feet, Jesus wanted to teach the disciples three things:
- the Son of God came to the earth in order to serve and fulfil the will of His Father.
- Christ had to give His life in order to wash away the sins of mankind.
- after the bath of baptism to wash away original sin, it is also necessary to have forgiveness for our individual sins.
For believers today, the washing of the feet also holds a threefold moral:
- Our election as a child of God is associated with a certain task. It is not only a question of being saved ourselves, but also of doing our part for the plan of salvation: “We must prove that the gospel still applies in our time.”
- Jesus wants one to serve the other. This not only includes praying for another and comforting one another. “We are prepared to do without certain things—just for the sake of preserving the peace and unity of God’s people.”
- “All of us, without exception, are and will remain sinners. But God expects us to forgive our neighbour” — as often as necessary.
The Chief Apostle’s conclusion: “Jesus said, ‘I have done this for you. Now do the same for Me and your neighbour.’ — That is what Jesus wishes to teach us.”