Please, Wash My Feet!
And if we keep on saying we don’t need that or don’t want that, then we show that we have not been saved, that we have not been “completely cleansed.” Paul said it like this in 1 Corinthians 5:7, “Cleanse out the old leaven [that is, let Jesus wash your feet] that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.” You really are completely clean, Peter.But the mark of completely clean disciples is that they hate their daily shortcomings and come to Christ for daily cleansing (foot-washing). If you confess your sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive and cleanse.
So the second level meaning in this acted-out lesson is this: Representatives of Jesus —then and today — should go low in humility and service not only because Jesus did, and not only because (verse 17) it is the most deeply joyful way of life, but also because they are completely clean. Representatives of Jesus know their true, unshakable standing with God as “completely clean” (verse 10) and they don’t claim that they have no sin, but they know how to deal with their ongoing sin. They confess their sin and receive daily cleansing. When Jesus offers to wash their feet, they say, yes. I know I am clean — I am born again, I am saved, I am justified, I have eternal life, I am a child of God, but I have sinned and I receive the foot-washing — the renewed cleansing — of Jesus.
For the whole sermon: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/for-his-sake-and-for-your-joy-go-low
