Letters to the Prison - Week 151

Hello, everyone.  Last week, we began to examine the “discussion” Peter and Jesus were having about whether Jesus should or should not be washing Peter’s feet.  One must wonder:  Which act is harder to fathom…  the Son of God deciding to wash the disciples’ feet?  Or one of the disciples questioning and correcting the decision?  Either way, both things are happening as we continue our study.  Jesus has offered the reason why he needs to wash Peter’s feet:

• “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” -John 13:8b

Peter is clearly convinced by this, but his response is still not obedient:

• Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” -John 13:9

Once again, we could speculate hundreds of reasons why Peter might now suddenly feel the need for Jesus to wash all of him…  not just his feet.  One such reason to consider: “hands” and “head” could be Peter’s way of asking Jesus to wash –to sanctify-- both his thoughts and his actions.  The things on our minds (in our heads), and the things at hand --what we’re doing-- these are things we should certainly be actively bringing before Jesus.  That Peter might be doing that very thing at this moment might make perfect sense if Peter was thought to be taking correction from Jesus (which he well should be) for having initially denied that Jesus should wash his feet.  Sadly, what we will see from Peter a few short hours (but several chapters) from this moment would suggest that this is not what Peter is thinking at all (John 18:15-27).  Still, all speculation aside, Jesus has yet another gentle correction for Peter:

• Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean." -John 13:10-11

This is quite the statement when we consider what is about to happen.  Judas is about to betray Jesus to the authorities so that they can arrest and murder him.  And Jesus knows it.  John, looking back, recognizes this after having had 60 years to think about it… but he and the other disciples certainly had no idea what was about to happen that night at dinner with the God of the universe in the flesh washing their feet.

But what about Peter?  Jesus is calling him “completely clean.”  Yet he too will deny that he even knows Jesus in a few short hours…  none of the disciples (least of all Peter) saw that coming, either.  But Jesus knew it would happen even at this moment.  He will in fact predict Peter’s denial not many moments (or verses) from this one.  So, what is the difference between Judas and Peter?  Who is Jesus counting as “clean” or “unclean” among the disciples?  John seems to know the answer, in retrospect.  John writes about Peter’s denial and restoration yet does not list Peter amongst the “unclean” here.  We need to consider such things carefully.  Meanwhile, Jesus has a lot more to say about this foot-washing event.  We will examine it next week.  Until then, consider:  What is the essential difference between Judas and Peter?  We love you!  Pray, friends, that our actions, intentions, and the content of our hearts would be “clean” before Jesus always!

Dean A.