Study 48: "The first hindrance (to the Lordship of Christ) - Unconfessed Sin
We looked at the story of Jesus washing His disciples' feet at the last supper. This would have happed shortly after the disciples disputed amongst themselves as to who was the greatest (Lk 22:24-25).
The passage teaches us that Jesus washed feet so that:
1. His disciples would have "a share in him". The physical cleansing of feet did not save (Judas' had his feet washed too). But part of the meaning of the action was to select those who had already bathed (v.10) i.e. already experienced regeneration and remission of sin.
2. He would give the disciples an example of humility in service (v.14)
When He washed feet, Jesus approached with an attitude of :
1. Love for the disciples he had spent 3 years with. In the night before his betrayal and death he showed them love "to the uttermost". The Greek carries the idea of degree as well as time.
2. Confidence, assurance and sovereignty/authority. He knew He was in full control, knew His origin and knew His destiny (v.3). We might have done very different things based on this knowledge. Jesus used it to wash feet in humble service.
Peter would have felt shock, confusion and embarrassment - all the more because he had been disputing with his brother disciples earlier about who was the greatest. He voices something he has said in the past: "Lord you shall never..." (c.f.Mt. 16:22). Cleansing by Christ is rarely comfortable. There are emotions that make it difficult for us to undergo the process that leads to life and healing. Part of regarding Jesus as Lord is submitting to His sometimes unexpected ways of ministering to us. And another part of regarding Jesus as Lord is to obey His every command in His Word.
There are 2 statements of spiritual truth we need to take to heart in this passage:
"If I do not wash you, you have no share in me" (v. 8)
"The one who has bathed has no need to wash" (v.10).
We note that there is a once-for-all regeneration and remission of sin, but a constant need to acknowledge, confess and repent of our sin from day to day. The desire to do the latter is a mark of true saving faith that is a supernatural gift of God. We do not merely grit our teeth and do what we do not wish, but the new birth is accompanied by new appetites, desires and priorities. Repentance is more than confession of wrong, but an expression of desire to stop doing wrong.
We also note in closing that in Matt 5:23-24 God desires reconciliation with someone we have wronged more than He desires worship from us. This, too is a command of our Lord.
The passage teaches us that Jesus washed feet so that:
1. His disciples would have "a share in him". The physical cleansing of feet did not save (Judas' had his feet washed too). But part of the meaning of the action was to select those who had already bathed (v.10) i.e. already experienced regeneration and remission of sin.
2. He would give the disciples an example of humility in service (v.14)
When He washed feet, Jesus approached with an attitude of :
1. Love for the disciples he had spent 3 years with. In the night before his betrayal and death he showed them love "to the uttermost". The Greek carries the idea of degree as well as time.
2. Confidence, assurance and sovereignty/authority. He knew He was in full control, knew His origin and knew His destiny (v.3). We might have done very different things based on this knowledge. Jesus used it to wash feet in humble service.
Peter would have felt shock, confusion and embarrassment - all the more because he had been disputing with his brother disciples earlier about who was the greatest. He voices something he has said in the past: "Lord you shall never..." (c.f.Mt. 16:22). Cleansing by Christ is rarely comfortable. There are emotions that make it difficult for us to undergo the process that leads to life and healing. Part of regarding Jesus as Lord is submitting to His sometimes unexpected ways of ministering to us. And another part of regarding Jesus as Lord is to obey His every command in His Word.
There are 2 statements of spiritual truth we need to take to heart in this passage:
"If I do not wash you, you have no share in me" (v. 8)
"The one who has bathed has no need to wash" (v.10).
We note that there is a once-for-all regeneration and remission of sin, but a constant need to acknowledge, confess and repent of our sin from day to day. The desire to do the latter is a mark of true saving faith that is a supernatural gift of God. We do not merely grit our teeth and do what we do not wish, but the new birth is accompanied by new appetites, desires and priorities. Repentance is more than confession of wrong, but an expression of desire to stop doing wrong.
We also note in closing that in Matt 5:23-24 God desires reconciliation with someone we have wronged more than He desires worship from us. This, too is a command of our Lord.
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