Thoughts on the Gospel of John (123) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, Lord, are You washing my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this. Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.
John 13:6-8

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (123)
Picture this: Jesus, the creator of the universe, takes off His outer garments to wash the feet of His disciples. All His disciples say nothing about it - except for Peter! He has a sense of the incomprehensible humility of his Lord. And he can't agree with what is happening. Three times he speaks up: first he is amazed, then he protests, and finally he demands more than he had previously refused. Typical Peter, you might think. But how would you have reacted?

Peter's objections lack insight and respect. In this they are a warning to us. But more instructive than this are the answers the Lord gives in response to the objections of His disciple. Let us take a closer look at the first two answers:

"You will know after this" - Peter was at that time not yet able to understand the symbolic action of his Master. He had to wait until Jesus had returned to heaven and the Holy Spirit had come to earth. Then, by His help and under His guidance, he would be able to "know" and to use this knowledge for his service to other Christians, as his letters show.

"No part with me" - Peter's greatest interest is to share things with the Lord; he wants to have fellowship with his Lord. But to do so, everything that soils him on his way through this world must be removed by the cleansing waters of God's Word (cf. Ephesians 5:26).

Today's reading: Numbers 12:1-16 · Matthew 8:23-34