Thoughts on the Gospel of John (124) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head! Jesus said to him, He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, You are not all clean.
John 13:9-11

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (124)
When Peter learns that he can only have fellowship with his Lord if his feet are washed, he asks for more: he wants his whole body to be washed. This desire is understandable, since it shows how attached Peter is to his Lord. On the other hand, Peter has not yet understood the deep symbolic meaning of feet-washing. So he has to be corrected by the Lord yet again.

He who is "born of water and the Spirit" is "bathed" in the figurative sense and is clean in God's sight. As far as eternity is concerned, everything is settled for him: He has an eternal relationship with his Saviour and Lord. The "bath" that was once a necessity never needs to be repeated (cf. ch. 3:3; 15:3).

It is different with the "feet". While passing through this world Christians repeatedly come into contact with unclean things. They also personally commit sins in thoughts, words or actions. So the Lord needs to repeatedly wash the dirt from their "feet".

The Lord's action on earth at that time symbolises His service from heaven at the present time. He deeply desires that His own should have unclouded fellowship with Him. Therefore He draws our attention to sins and transgressions through His Word the Bible, causing us to confess them to Him. We are thus set free to consider Him and love with joyful hearts.

Today's reading: Numbers 16:1-24 · Matthew 11:1-9