“In the service of humility, you don’t wash your own feet, just like you can’t cleanse your own heart.”
TEXT:
Chapter 8, Page 76 –
As Jesus told Peter, the foot washing ceremony is symbolic of the cleansing of the heart, the cleansing on the inside (compare John 13:10 with Matthew 15:17-20). This cleansing of the feet (the heart) should take place before participating in Communion – just as the priests in the Sanctuary washed their hands and feet before going into the First Apartment of the Wilderness Sanctuary.
As you can see, this business of being a Christian, of entering into the service of the Lord is serious business. Our hearts need to be properly cleansed – because we have been set apart to serve. That is why I insisted on the importance of having our last two conversations before we have these next several conversations about the metaphorical word symbols.
Now, please, this is not about following rules. This is not about cleaning yourself up before you can enter God’s service. This is about surrendering the heart to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is not about being perfect. This is about letting Jesus Christ make you perfect.
Remember, in the service of humility, you don’t wash your own feet – just like you can’t cleanse your own heart. You may review this concept in Romans 12:2, from our last conversation, if you like. The disciples’ feet were washed by Jesus. His Lordship, His righteousness is what makes you and me clean for service (Jeremiah 23:6). Therefore, in the Ordinance of Humility you don’t wash your own feet.
