Shalom,

In John 13 we read the account of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. Many churches, over the years since, have held special "foot-washing" services. While this can be a very humbling and beautiful picture of loving and serving one another, I believe there is a much greater, and far more simple, meaning to this that Jesus left us with! Notice that when Peter, after first refusing to have Jesus wash his feet, asked Jesus to wash his hands and his head also, Jesus said THIS in reply. Verse 10:

10 Jesus said to him, Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is clean all over.

Do you see what Jesus was telling Peter? Bathing is an example of the New Birth! Look at Colossians 2:12-14:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; KJV

Jesus paid the FULL and COMPLETE price for our eternal Salvation through His death, burial and resurrection! There is nothing more that has to happen except for every person to accept and receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior! When we do, then we have been "bathed"! We have been saved once and for all from the power and penalty of sin! We ARE new creatures that never existed before (2 Corinthians 5:17). Heaven IS now our home and place of citizenship! We are simply ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) here to represent HIM to the world so they, too, can receive this LIFE (John 10:10) (1 John 5:11-12)! Once we have been born again, then we need only have our "feet washed" when we miss it! THAT would be obeying 1 John 1:9! Confess, receive forgiveness and then forgive yourself and FORGET the sin and move on! The blood of Jesus, that saved us from eternal damnation (separation from God), now continually cleanses us from all sin as we confess! Look at 1 John 1:7-9:

7 But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].AMP

AMEN! So the next time YOU hear of a "foot washing" service, make sure that you let them know that 1 John 1:9 is the most important foot washing you can have done! AMEN! Here is a song featuring Kari Jobe and Darlene Zschech called "Yours Forever":

My life is in Your hands,
My times are in Your hands
Though nations shake and thunders roll
I will trust in You completely
I yearn for more of You,
Your grace alive in me
My life is nailed to hands that bled
In this love my soul is free
You took my place, You took the fall, You took the nails
That I may live forever, live forever
You rose again, You made a way You broke the chains
And now I'm Yours forever, I'm Yours forever
I worship You forever more,
In joy and suffering
Until the day I see Your face
My whole life to You my offering
You took my place, You took the fall, You took the nails
That I may live forever, live forever
You rose again, You made a way You broke the chains
And now I'm Yours forever, I'm Yours forever
Jesus, Jesus
Death could not hold You, freedom abounds
Jesus, Jesus
I sing of Your mercy, the power of the cross
Jesus, Jesus
Death could not hold You, freedom abounds
Jesus, Jesus
I sing of Your mercy, the power of the cross
You took my place, You took the fall, You took the nails
That I may live forever, live forever
You rose again, You made a way You broke the chains
And now I'm Yours forever, I'm Yours forever
Jesus, Jesus
Death could not hold You, freedom abounds
Jesus, Jesus
I sing of Your mercy, the power of the cross
Jesus, Jesus
Death could not hold You, freedom abounds
Jesus, Jesus
I sing of Your mercy, the power of the cross

Shalom in Him!