Robert Hibbard Supporter Retired Christian High School Teacher

Peter does not want the LORD to "stoop" to a servile position of washing feet, but Jesus replies to Peter (and all disciples) that if you want to be with me you must also be willing to serve. Remember that Jesus Christ was both Savior and Servant.

January 30 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

This is an interesting question, Charles!

Peter opposed Jesus going to the cross (Matt. 16:21-23), Wiersbe observed. He was just an impulsive kind of guy. But what would have happened to us if Jesus did not go to the cross? We would not have been forgiven of our sins. That would have been very bad!

But Jesus brought Peter around with His reply: "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." (John 13:8).

January 30 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Justin Hale Supporter

Satan has done quite a job obscuring the meaning of 'foot washing' and hiding the reality that Christ used His 'total authority over heaven and earth' (Matthew 28:18), to declare the end to the 'age of aristocrats' when He presciently proclaimed:

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31).

This is actually the 'new world order,' which has led to the 'age of democracy' and 'liberty.' In response, Satan now insists that the 'new world order' is actually a 'secret society' plan to re-enslave the world, perpetrated by shadowy pseudo-aristocratic figures and their still 'superior' or 'illuminated' families. 

In reality, Satan and the 'secular' world have no choice now but to accept 'public service' as the new standard set by Jesus Christ, which comes directly from the idea presented by our Lord here:

"And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves." (Luke 22:25-26).

The 'foot washer' was the lowest of servants. He was also the 'porter' (that is, door keeper), which scripture describes as the lowest position of authority in the heavenly kingdom too, (Psalm 84:10). 

Yet, think about the importance of this position. The 'porter' decides who comes in. Which means that he is the functional 'head' of security. He also honors the arriving guests with a service that not only refreshes and renews them at his own expense, but it prevents disease and filth from outside ending up inside the house and causing sickness or discomfort. 

When you think about it, this guy has ALWAYS been the least appreciated yet most important person in the entire house. If he does a poor job, the 'more important' members of the house might be robbed or killed, subject to disease, or otherwise 'infiltrated' by a relentless evil always searching for a new way in.

Our own unwillingness to feel 'small' is what actually makes us vulnerable to all of these imminent threats. This is what the 'public servant' is now supposed to be doing for us---at his own expense. He lets himself feel 'small' so the rest of us can be safe and comfortable. The closer we get to that with our own 'public servants' the better off our society will be. The further we drift from this new model, the more 'problems' we face. 

In Christ's newly emerging world, the one who refuses to accept this new form of service and who does not insist on their own 'leaders' playing this vitally important role 'has no share [inheritance]' with Him.'

Why?

Because such a person is still clinging to the 'old world order' where Satan was still 'in charge' and rigid 'roles' for family, land ownership, and social classes were violently enforced and centered around a 'benefactor' and 'superior' who served no one and who everyone else served instead. This reinforced all of the 'culture wars' over race, class, gender, education level and tribal history that Satan is still futilely trying to reignite under the guise of 'social justice.' 

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Not so with genuine Christians:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28).

"Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all." (Colossians 3:11).

February 05 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the meaning of John 13:8?

"Peter saith unto him, 'Thou shalt never wash my feet.' Jesus answered him, 'If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.'"

John 13:8: "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me," means that accepting Jesus's humble, sacrificial service—symbolising his death for salvation—is mandatory for spiritual partnership with him. It highlights that only Jesus cleanses from sin; rejecting this humble service is to reject him.

"No Part with Me": This phrase indicates that rejecting this cleansing is a rejection of fellowship and inheritance with Christ. Without this washing, a person cannot belong to Him or share in His kingdom. 

Jesus' response is equally black-and-white. His wording is an ultimatum: either I do this, or you have nothing to do with me. In the most immediate sense, this is a rebuke of Peter's stubbornness. So far as the literal, physical foot-washing between Jesus and Peter is concerned, it's a non-negotiable. One can imagine Jesus saying something to the effect of "I'm not asking you, Peter, I'm telling you."

Jesus Christ washed his apostles' feet on the last night of his earthly life, Nisan 14, 33 C.E., doing so to teach them a lesson and "set the pattern," rather than to establish a ceremony. (Joh 13:1-16) There had been arguments among the apostles as to who was the greatest. Even later in this evening, after he had washed their feet, they had another heated dispute over who seemed to be the greatest. (Lu 22:24-27) But what Jesus had done would not easily be forgotten. That night, Jesus and the apostles were merely using a room and were not guests of anyone. So, there were no servants on hand to wash their feet, which would undoubtedly have been the case had they been guests. None of the apostles took the initiative to perform this menial service for the others. However, at an appropriate time during the meal, Jesus rose, laid aside his outer garments, girded himself with a towel, put water in a basin, and washed their feet. He thus showed that, in humility, each should serve the others and show love in practical ways, doing things for others' comfort. 

The example of Jesus Christ set by this act stands as a reminder to Christians to serve their brothers lovingly, even in small ways and by performing humble tasks on their behalf.​—Joh 13:34, 35;

Some aspects of the Passage (John 13:1-20):

The Depth of Love (vv. 1-3): Aware that his time to return to the Father has come, Jesus shows "the full extent" of his love for his followers, continuing to love them to the very end.

The Act of Service (vv. 4-5): Jesus lays aside his garments, acts as a servant, and washes the disciples' dusty feet, a role usually reserved for the lowest household enslaved person.

Peter's Objection & Necessity (vv. 6-11): Peter initially refuses, but Jesus explains this act is necessary to "have a part with him". This signifies both their need to be cleansed by him and the need for daily cleansing, despite their salvation.

Jesus explains that, since their Lord and Teacher has washed their feet, they are equally obligated to wash one another's feet, meaning they are to serve others with humility.

It serves as both a profound demonstration of Christ's humility and a theological illustration of spiritual cleansing.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report