Clean by Julie Miller

Jesus’ Example of Servanthood and Humility

Jesus knew his time had come. He had loved the disciples throughout his ministry. Now, before he went to the cross, he wanted to help them comprehend the full extent of his love. John says, “Now, He loved them to the very end.” (John 13:1b NLT) 

“So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:4-5) In his undergarments, dressed as a slave, taking the posture of a slave, doing the task of a slave, Jesus began washing the disciples’ feet. He got down on the dirty floor and took their rough, cracked, and filthy feet in his hands. One by one, they let him.

But Peter protested. How could he let the Son of God hold his dirty, stinky feet? How could he let the Messiah act as his servant?

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” (John 13:6-9) If that is what it takes, Lord, I’m all in! 

Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean.” (John 13:10). You’re clean and you’re dirty. You’re clean…and still you must let me wash your feet.

Clean and Dirty: A Lesson in God’s Grace

This act of washing feet is the ultimate example of servanthood. It is a lesson in humility. It is a depiction of God’s grace. It is an exhortation for the days ahead and a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for us. It is also the embodiment of how He makes us clean, how he completely washes away our sins and mistakes. Because we’re clean, and we’re dirty.

Just like the disciples, those of us who have decided to follow Christ are clean. At the moment of salvation, we are made clean. The moment we turn from our former life and decide to accept Christ as our Savior and follow Him, He forgives all our sins and mistakes, and makes us clean. So we are clean. But, because we are human, we are imperfect, fallible. We will make more mistakes…we get dirty.

Modern Examples of Spiritual Cleansing

Foot washing was a necessity, basic hygiene in the ancient world. Today, the closest thing we have to foot washing is a pedicure at our local spa. Fun but hardly a necessity. What if, instead, we imagined Jesus cleaning something else dirty? Something more normal for us today? 

What would it be like for Jesus to clean your home? The really messy parts? The junk drawer? The dirty laundry? The scum around your tub? The toilets? 

What if he cleaned up your finances? Going through every expense, loan, and payment. Cleaning it up. Seeing every stupid purchase, self-indulgence, every mistake. Maybe your computer. What if Jesus sat down to clean up your files and browser history? Maybe your relationships. Every interaction, nasty word, biting comment, and misstep. What would it be like to watch Jesus kneeling down and cleaning it all?

What is that dirty place you just can’t imagine Him cleaning for you?

Jesus Sees It All and Makes Us Clean

Just like the disciples’ dirty feet were right there to be seen, God sees it all, all the ick and the scum, all the lying and the cheating, all the gossip and slander, the selfishness and pride, every single sin and mistake, and still He says, “I can make you clean.” He sees it all, and He still says, “I love you. I will love you to the end, and I can make you clean.”

But we have to sit in the chair. We have to present our filth and let Him wash our feet. In repentance, we simply tell the Lord, “This is what I’ve done. I don’t want to do it anymore. Help me get clean. Here are my dirty feet.” And he does, as many times as we need, because we’re clean and we’re dirty. He loves us and he makes us clean.