GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 20

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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THE MASTER’S HUMBLE TOUCH

(Read John 13:1-20)

THE LESSON ON SUBMISSION

“So He came to Simon Peter, and he said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now; but you shall understand hereafter.”  Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.”  (John 13:6-7).

A superficial reading of this exchange might lead us to conclude that Peter’s statement reflected humility.  The opposite, however, is likely the case.  Subtly, imperceptibly, his unwillingness to let Christ wash his feet was a form of pride.

FIRST OF ALL, Peter felt uncomfortable because he knew that Christ was doing what he (Peter) should have done.  It is not easy to have someone wash your feet, especially someone who is above you in the authority structure.  There are some Christians who believe that the washing of feet is an ordinance in the church, and they practice it several times a year.  Men wash the feet of men; women wash the feet of women.  But what do they do before they attend church that evening?   You guessed it, they all wash their own feet!

 By nature, we do not want someone to wash our feet, and here was the God of the universe stooping to do just that.  Peter was embarrassed because receiving a gift of service reminds us of our own need.  In the process our pride is wounded.

SECOND:  Peter was actually displaying pride by disagreeing with Christ!  After all, if the Son of God wished to wash his feet, who was he to say otherwise?  The Gospels record three things that Peter disagreed with his  master.  We recall when Christ explained that He was going to the cross, Peter rebuked Him:  “this shall never happen to You.”  As we noted in that instance, if Christ had taken his advice, Peter himself would have been lost forever.

Peter also disagreed here, insisting that Christ would not wash his feet.  Later that same evening,  Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest.  – He probably intended to kill the man but missed – Christ responded, “Put the sword into the sheath;  the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”  (John 18:11).

Though it appears as humility, it is really pride that makes us uncomfortable in receiving Christ’s gifts.  It is also pride that says, “I’ve sinned too much for God to forgive me.”  Though God says Christ’s death was a complete sacrifice for sin, we think that we know better.  Under the guise of humility, some people believe they have found a sin that could not be covered by the work of the cross.  Do we really know better than God?!

Christ responded to Peter, “If I wash you not, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8).  There is more to this story than meets the eye.  Christ is not just thinking about washing Peter’s feet, but about the spiritual washing that is so necessary for every one of us.

Peter, thinking only of physical washing, responds, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”  (John 13:9).  If a little washing is good, more washing is better, he thought.

Peter may not always have thought deeply, but he always FELT deeply.  His love for Christ was single-minded, clear, and public.

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Romans 8:7

 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

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Galatians 5:13

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

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James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

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Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

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Romans12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

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Ephesians 5:20-21

giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

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Colossians 3:23-24

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

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