This weekend, I finished watching Season 5 of The Chosen. As I watched the scene of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, the Holy Spirit spoke some deep truths to my heart—you know, the kind of truth that heals and gives hope. As I journaled His words this morning, I felt led to read John 13 and the account for myself. As I was reading, verse ten leaped off the page.
Jesus said to him, “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, NASB
Jesus washed their feet as a servant, a representation of the Kingdom's servant nature. As I read this verse, I also saw something else, so I began to do some digging.
Jesus washing feet is also a picture of daily repentance and renewing of our minds. To be bathed (G3068) is a picture of washing, which we would expect it to mean. It can symbolize our salvation and baptism experience. We only have to be saved once, and we step into a new, clean nature. By position, we are now righteous and begin the process of sanctification and growing into that righteous identity. To do that, we must have our feet washed daily.
Feet (G4228) means feet. Its Hebrew equivalent is regel (H7272), which can metaphorically mean our steps. The Hebrew letters that form this word are the resh, gimel, and lamed. The resh means the head of man; the gimel means pride and self-will; and the lamed means authority. Feet are a picture of our self-will and prideful mindsets that have authority over us.
Psalm 19:12–14 says, How would I discern the waywardness of my heart? Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion. So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector (TPT).
The Voice translation says, …protect me from my bent towards pride, and keep sin from ruling my life (19:13).
We don’t know all the ways pride and self will lead us away from the Lord each day. We know the intentions and motives behind our actions only through the daily surrender to His examination of our hearts. See,
Our feet take us to the places our minds direct.
As we come before Jesus in surrender and humility each day, Jesus washes our feet. Peter said to Him, wash my hands and my head also (John 13:9), but Jesus knew it was the feet that got dirty. It is our bent towards pride and seeking to live our lives on our own terms, under our own authority, why we need constant cleaning.
The last part of John 13:10 says, and you are clean, but not all of you. Jesus was speaking of Judas. Proverbs 3:12 says, There is a kind [of man] who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness (NASB). If we are not walking in continual repentance and humility before the Lord and allowing Him to search our hearts, we can be like the man who thinks he is pure and clean but is actually deceived by his own pride. Unfortunately, many people call themselves Christians and are in this state. They believe that because they prayed at the altar to receive Jesus and were baptized, that is all there is to be a Christian. Jesus isn’t looking for those who just believe in this hour; even the demons believe (James 2:19). Jesus is looking for disciples. Those willing to let Him wash their feet. Those who will allow the sanctification of their hearts so they think like Jesus thinks. As they begin to think as Jesus thinks, their feet will lead them to the actions that represent Him. These are the ones that will be used in this new era. May that be us!
Jesus, today, may You wash us clean as we submit ourselves to You. Wash our feet and cleanse our minds. As we are washed clean, may You use us to advance Your Kingdom and see Your enemies be made a footstool under Your feet.
Blessings,
Brandee