I like Andrew Womack's devotional for today that discusses Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. Many believers carry out foot washing ceremonies as an act of love and caring for each other. That is NOT the main focus! There is still even more that is involved here, but this is one of the better teachings on it:
LET GOD MINISTER TO YOU
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."
Peter's refusal to let Jesus wash his feet came from a knowledge that
he was totally unworthy to have the sinless Son of God serve him as a common
servant would. Peter was correct in his assessment of his relative worth, but
what he missed was that God doesn't minister to us because of our worth but
because of His love.
Even though Peter's attitude looked holy and humble, he was actually
resisting God's will and committing an act of pride. Pride is not only exalting
yourself above what is proper, but also, it can be debasing yourself below what
is proper. Pride is simply self-centeredness or being self-willed instead of
God-centered and submitted to God's will. Peter should have been humble enough
to know that Jesus knew what He was doing and he should have submitted himself
to God's will.
Likewise today, some people refuse to let God bless them, thinking they
are unworthy of His favor. While it is true that our actions don't warrant
God's goodness, a truly humble person will receive the Lord's blessings as an
expression of His love and grace toward them. Misguided humility is every bit
as damaging as exaggerated pride.
Peter wanted to serve Jesus, but did not want to be served by Jesus.
Jesus was telling Peter that unless he received His ministry to him, Peter
would be unfit to serve Him. We cannot cleanse ourselves or others. We are
totally dependent on the work of God's grace in our lives. Then and only then,
are we equipped to minister to others. Before we can be the blessing that we
desire to be to God or to others, we have to let God be the blessing to us that
He desires to be.
AMEN! I LOVE that he says: "Misguided humility is every bit as damaging as exaggerated pride." This is so very true, and important to understand! TRUE humility is ACCEPTING something you do not deserve! JESUS humbled Himself to take up the cross in our place. He did NOT deserve it, but He humbly took it upon Himself for our eternal benefit! WE are to accept ALL that He bought and paid for with His own blood, bringing GLORY to HIS Name! Refusing to learn of and accept what He has blessed us with is NOT humble, it is one of the most prideful things we can do! It is actually saying that His Sacrifice was meaningless! WE do not deserve any of it on our own merits, but HE deserves our full surrender to HIS will for us. What is that? Look at these two verses:
John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
3 John 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.
Let's agree with God and walk fully in His Word, which IS His Will! He will be glorified and we will be able to minister to others more effectively! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "I Surrender":
Shalom in Him!
