Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Dealing with Daily Dirt”
Introduction
We now enter the private teaching and ministry of Jesus to his disciples that run 13-17 with chapter 17 actually an intimate intercessory prayer – the real Lord’s Prayer in 17. Jesus addresses nearly every vital teaching regarding the essence of the Christian walk in this relatively short section of Scripture. In His final days, Jesus emphasized the core truths necessary and vital for the building of the church and the meaningful life of the individual believer they would need during His physical absence.
The lessons in chapter 13 have to do with relationships.
A Lesson on forgiveness -- the cure for guilt and bitterness
Jesus graciously forgives our sin.
We must likewise forgive the offenses of others.
Some perhaps feel that the lesson here is humility and service. In fact every commentary focuses on Jesus’ example of humility. A closer examination of the passage I believe should focus on a specific aspect of humility – forgiveness. Many have ignored this simple yet powerful lesson and paid dearly.
Failure to perceive our forgiveness by Jesus generates guilt.
Failure to practice forgiveness like Jesus breeds bitterness
The power of forgiveness eliminates the devastating torment of both bitterness and guilt.
Jesus so graphically models the principle of daily forgiveness at a most crucial time in his life. Do we identify with the lesson found here?
Most assuredly, it something that we must practice nearly every day of our life. Until Christ returns we must persistently deal with both our sin against God and others and the sin and offenses of others against us. This is what I call the daily dirt.
Failure to deal with the daily dirt results in either guilt or bitterness. Guilt and bitterness can kill. They are ruthless tormentors allowed by God to teach us the need for forgiveness. We cannot survive in a fallen, sinful world without this most crucial cure. Refusal to accept or award forgiveness is like refusing to take an antidote to a deadly poison or disease. Choosing to continue in unforgiveness and bitterness is like continually drinking cyanide poison thinking it punishes the one who offended us when it only destroys us.
Do you need this truth today?
Consider your sin against God. We can’t appreciate the glory of God’s forgiveness until we apprehend the grief of our sin. If someone comes up to us and says, “I forgive you.” when we have no idea we have even offended them, forgiveness has little impact.
However, when we realize how horribly we have hurt someone by our choices and they in humility and grace offer forgiveness instead of revenge we are drawn into the blessing of grace and healing community. Take a moment to contemplate your sin against God – momentarily muse through your hall of shame. Take a brief look at your ten most unwanted list -- people you just as soon never see again or talk to. Now with those thought in mind, lets see what insights Jesus teaches his disciples regarding healthy relationships.
Insights from the action and instruction of Jesus
Contemplate the surrounding circumstances 1-3
• Jesus was aware of the impending timetable.
Now before the Feast of the Passover Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
This gives us the timetable -- perhaps Thursday of Passion week. He realized the time to face the agony of his greatest physical, mental, emotional and spiritual torment had arrived. Yet it did nothing to diminish his love. Stress often derails good relations.
• Jesus realized that among those of his closest friends on earth hid a betrayer.
And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him
Satan had already put an evil plan into Judas’ heart and it was still there.
“Put into the heart” from the verb “to throw”
Perfect tense verb indicates that Satan threw the thought to betray into Judas’ calloused and evil heart at a point in time and the incredible intent still lingered there. The treacherous meeting with the religious goons had already taken place and a price negotiated. This was not the first realization as Jesus already predicted it way back in chapter 6:70-71. Again in verse 11 John tells us that Jesus knew Judas intent.
For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean." John 13:11
We gain some understanding concerning how Jesus felt from his quote of a Psalm 41:9.
"I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.' John 13:18
Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Psa 41:9
This knowledge did nothing to diminish the demonstration of His love for even Judas.
• Jesus also knew the reality of his own identity.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God
Jesus fully recognized his monumental role in redemption. Jesus perfectly understood His heavenly origin and destiny. Don’t miss the significance of which Gospel writer records this event. The one who focuses on Jesus as the eternal Son of God! Here we catch the eternal Creator washing the errant creature’s feet. We witness a holy God humbly dealing with the dirt instead of destroying the dirty. The eternal Word became flesh to dwell among us and wash our feet.
Contemplate the obvious contrast. The disciples wouldn’t dare stoop to minister to each other. The Son who descended from the glories of heaven now stoops even lower to touch the dirty.
The Man of divine dignity assumes a role of extreme humility. The Father entrusts all things into his hands. He carries out the Father’s work willingly and capably. Knowing that the fate of the human race now rested in His hands, he graphically illustrated His sacrificial love for them by serving them. As Lord of all, he served them all. Jesus knew he would soon be outta there. He didn’t say, “Forget these guys I am going back to where I am appreciated and respected.”
The wonderful thing about Jesus was that his nearness to God, so far from separating him from men, brought him nearer than ever to them. (Barnes. It is always true that there is no one closer to men than the man who is close to God.
Luke revels something else Jesus knew.
• Jesus knew the arrogance in the heart of the disciples.
And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. Lu22:24
What a contrast in attitude. Jesus, the absolute greatest man who ever lived -- washes feet.
The disciples, the motliest crew ever assembled -- argue over which one of them was the greatest. Pride thwarts effective service. How often do church disputes arise over a perceived failure to recognize position or stature or talent or contribution? We become so focused on the service we feel our position deserves we forget the sacrifice our position demands. God requires much of him who has been given much. Those who experience God’s extra measure of grace cannot stockpile it for personal benefit, notoriety or acclaim but must become channels of that grace we have been given.
“Office” or position implies a going out from the solitude of seclusion, in which one has met and been prepared by God, into the great world in order to share the blessing received with others. Not a greedy swallowing up of the waters of grace, but giving free outlet to the river of salvation – that is what the concept of “office” implies.” Klaas Schilder
In the face of betrayal, denial, doubt, arrogance and ignorance, Jesus loving deals with the dirt and ministers to the dirty. With absolute confidence in who he was, Jesus willingly humbled himself and demonstrated the depth of his love for these men by washing their feet.
Look at the lesson modeled and explained 4-11
Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
This was a task usually reserved for lowly servants or at least everyone was expected to wash their own feet. Jesus did not let the limelight of chapter 12 or the expectation of restored glory deter him from the demonstration of His love and devotion. In the absence of any move by the disciples, Jesus takes up the basin and towel making his way around the circle from one disciple to the next washing their feet as they sit in stunned silence.
That is until he came to dear Simon Peter.
And so He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?"
According to the Greek points of emphasis, he would have said it like this…
“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."
This is not just a mere lesson in humility or service to one another. Jesus intends to teach something much more significant by this humble gesture that many have missed. Through this simple action, Jesus summarizes the whole nature of what he is about to do over the next several days. Only after the resurrection later do the disciples understand the gravity of this act.
Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!"
In his false humility, Peter refused to allow Jesus to continue. By no means, never shall you wash my feet!
Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."
Obviously there is deeper meaning here than eradicating offensive foot filth or odor.
Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
As usual, Peter opens mouth and inserts both unwashed feet. Jesus then presents the core lesson. This verse stands as the essential guide for interpretation and application of the passage.
Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."
Judas may have had clean feet but his heart remained dirty. Clean feet do not restore commendable fellowship with God. We must acquire a clean heart and maintain clean feet. Yes there is here a stirring lesson regarding humility to be noted in this passage but looking to this verse to guide us, our understanding and application must develop beyond that.
Don’t diminish your understanding of his event by too much emphasis on the literal act of foot washing and miss the broader significance of spiritual cleansing graphically illustrated by the washing of the feet. We see here the whole eternal plan of God to deal with the dirt of sin through the work of Christ not only by the cleansing of the feet here, but soon after to be fully demonstrated through His death and resurrection. Through Jesus, these disciples (except Judas) had already experienced the cleansing ministry and regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit. Their hearts were changed. They were clean through the washing of the Word of truth.
Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
Only through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross can we find cleansing from sin and relief of the guilt resulting from that sin. Even though God does a marvelous initial work of cleansing or regeneration, in order to maintain fellowship and communion with a holy God, one must daily deal with the daily dirt. Jesus disclosed here two levels of cleansing.
The bathing of our entire body (utter pollution of the sin nature on the race)
The washing of our feet (the daily sins committed)
Following the regenerating change of a polluted heart, a submission to the cleaning of our dirty feet must always precede the communion of our regenerated hearts with a holy God.
The Old Testament priests were bathed ceremonially once upon consecration Old Testament ministry in the temple. After that they continually went to the laver of cleansing to wash their hands and feet before ministering in the presence of God. Only as we realize our continual daily sin will we welcome a continual washing of our feet by the blood of Jesus.
The soul must be purified again and again by an unintermittent, ever retuning visitation of God’s influence, which gives those who in principle were purified at regeneration, sanctification also, and thus guarantees that the fires of love will not die nor be extinguished by the stifling dust of sin. Klaas Schilder
So what are the implications of this passage for us today?
Implications for our life
Jesus graciously forgives our sin.
This passage applies to us all because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard. Only Jesus can cleanse us from the dirt imbedded in the unregenerate heart. If your heart has not been cleansed through belief in Jesus, no amount of foot washing will make a bit of difference. Satan is free to throw whatever evil suggestion he wants to stick on an unclean heart.
Jesus died that we might receive forgiveness of sin.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, Ephes. 1:7
For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:13-14
Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:18
John indicates in his later letter that a sure realization of our forgiveness is the first step toward maturity in Christ.
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. 1 John 2:12
You can be clean. You can be free from the guilt that plagues you. Come to him for cleansing. David describes the torment of walking around with a dirty heart and feet. Dirt blocks communion with God Dirt eats away at the soul. Forgiveness blesses the soul.
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!
When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:1-5
Acknowledge your dirty feet today and come to him for cleansing.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones that You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from You presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit’s blessing from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:7-13
The application of the truth of this passage does not stop with what Jesus revealed to his disciples through example but also what he required of his disciples through instruction.
We must also forgive as Jesus forgave.
And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17
Just what is the example we are to emulate? I submit that it is not just humble service to one another that Jesus calls us to imitate. It is a humility that demonstrates itself in the act of forgiveness in the face of offense.
• A humility willing to let loose of position in order to realize restoration
• A humility willing to give up personal ambition and comfort in order to rescue stray sheep
• A humility willing to sacrifice self to see others cleansed from a dirty heart and feet.
It is the self-sacrificing heart of Jesus that Paul calls us to embrace.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philip. 2:5-8
It is the forgiving heart of Jesus that Peter calls us to imitate.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25
Jesus entrusting his soul to His Father, Jesus refused to retaliate against sin in order that he might restore sinners into relationship with God. The result of his suffering was the joyous return of straying sheep to the Shepherd. What would we be willing to endure in order to see someone restored back into fellowship with God?
Our pride and dignity?
Our sense of vengeance?
Our personal comfort?
To forgive the offenses of others requires humility. Forgiveness is never free. It is costly. It always costs the forgiver. Jesus graciously deals with both our dirty heart and feet that we might be free from guilt. We must graciously deal with the dirt of people’s heart and feet that we might be free from the poison of bitterness and they might be free from the guilt.
The Spirit urges us to beware of this poisonous root that defiles the church.
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15
Bitterness is the breeding environment for all kinds of trouble. Bitterness blocks the flow of grace in your life. To harbor bitterness and cultivate it and fertilize it is a costly choice.
Jesus said if we don’t forgive others, neither would we realize the glory of forgiveness. Failure to forgive and release others from their debt not only imprisons them but also imprisons us, as we must incessantly stand guard over the prison. To free others from the debtor’s prison is to become free ourselves. Somehow, as members of the body of Christ we partner in this wonderful blessing of forgiveness. I am not sure of all the ramifications, but there are several passages that allude to our part in the redemptive aspects of forgiveness. The forgiveness of Job’s friends depended on the prayer of Job. Job 42:7-10
"If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:23
At the prayer of the elders forgiveness is granted.
and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. James 5:15
I John 5 instructs us to pray for those sinning and God gives life.
Our first seminary class, through a moving object lesson, is on forgiveness and cleansing.
Jesus graciously forgives our sin.
We must likewise forgive the offenses of others.
What about your most unwanted list?
Will you get out of the prison business?
You have the power to set them free this morning!
Are you willing to forgive the dirt in order to affect the heart?
The power of forgiveness changes the course of lives today as it has for hundreds of years.
Testimony after testimony of the power of forgiveness continue.
On behalf of those hanging him on a cross Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Can we do any less?
Do you want to be free from guilt?
Do you want genuine freedom from bitterness?
Learn and practice the lesson of forgiveness.
Stop keeping accounts in order to accuse.
Wash feet in order to win hearts!
Application
What truths did Jesus say specifically to me today?
What difference does it make for my life?
What will I do as a result of what I heard today?
Further Thought, Study and Application
1. Read John 13:1-30.
2. Read back through the notes to review listening for points of application.
3. Read Matthew 18:21-35 looking for as many insights concerning forgiveness you can find there.
4. How often have I come to have my feet washed this week? Am I conscious of the need for daily cleansing? If you feel guilt you need to get washed? Remember, there is therefore now NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!
5. Have I started a new most unwanted list? Are there any people still on my list?
6. Have I consciously thought about how often I need to “wash” the feet of others (forgive) in a given day or week. Any incidents from spouse, children, family, fellow-workers that offended me. Offenses happen continually. Visualize yourself washing their feet. How does it feel? Make it a continual practice.
7. Determine to get out of the record keeping business and willingly forgive.
