Introduction
There are many passages in the bible when we read them casually we will miss some great spiritual truths.
Tonight we are going to look at one of these passages.
The title of my message is dirty feet and my text is John 13.
John 13:4-5
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Jesus Christ washing dirty feet?
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
What Christ is about to do, HE is going to do because HE loved the discples and HE loved them unto the end.
Only Jesus understood the cross before HE went to the cross, the heaviness of the whole thing.
The false accusations, the beatings, the stripes, the disciples forsaking HIM, the torment of the crucifixtion, the crown of thorns and worse than all these things was MY sins were put upon HIM.
Just my sins alone was more than what HE physically endured on HIS way upto the cross.
Let alone your sins and the sins of the whole world, from the first one in the Garden of Eden to the last one at the end of times.
What Christ was facing did not move HIM from what HE was about to do, why?
Because HE loved them and HE loved them unto the end.
John 13:2-5 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
In John 1 the bible says Jesus is God, In Colasions 1 the bible says Jesus is the Creator, In Revelation 17 the bible says Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Jesus Christ who is the Creator God, Lord of Lords and King of Kings bends down to wash filth from the feet of the disciples?
Moreover, this is recorded in the oracles of God for men of all generations to read for there own profit.
One thing we see right off is the humility of Christ.
The dusty and dirty conditions of the region necessitated the need for footwashing.
Footwashing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants.
Peers did not wash one another’s feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love.
Is there not a greater humilty than the humility of Christ?
We call ourselves Christians meaning followers of Christ, He is our example.
There is a great message in this alone but we are not looking at HIS humilty tonight?
Not my feet!!!
What would you do, what do you do when somebody you have a high respect for lowers themselves to do some menial task for you?
What does Peter do?
John 13:6-7 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter asks this question in opposition to Jesus washing his feet.
Jesus’ response was, I am going to teach something with this.
Would you let me do this so I can teach you something?
John 13:8a Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.
Peter just cannot allow Jesus to wash his feet.
Peter has a conviction here; Jesus Christ does not belong on the floor washing feet.
John 13:8b Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Jesus lets Peter know there is something at stake here; it is not a loss of salvation but a loss of fellowship.
The fellowship between Peter and Christ will be broken unless Jesus washes his feet.
John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
What a great response, a response we should have when we jepordize our fellowship with God.
This frightened Peter as it should every Christian.
Jesus is not talking about Peter losing his salvation but breaking fellowship.
There are many Christian that are not in fellowship with God.
How many Christians in here tonight, that is not in fellowship with God.
There ought to be sense of urgancy to get things right with God if you are not rigt with God.
John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Jesus responds to Peter’s request to wash all of him, but this was not the need, Peter only had dirty feet.
This scripture has a lot to say as we will see.
Jesus is saying there is no need for Peter to wash again, the only thing that is dirty is Peter’s feet.
In this day people did not wash in there homes, they washed somewhere else.
A man after washing would put on his sandals to come home.
In his home was a basin of water for him to wash his feet because they had gotten dirty walking through the streets of the city?
So even though he had just come from a bath, he had to wash his feet when he entered the house.
Necessity of being washed and having clean feet
There is a great spiritual meaning to this foot washing, what is it?
vs 8 Tells us that dirty feet means no fellowship with God.
Now we know our fellowship is not broken with God when we take our shoes and socks off and run around in mud.
How does a Christian get dirty feet?
Here is the spiritual truth.
A born again Christian is not of this world.
John 17:14-19
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Jesus as HE prays to the father says they (his disciples) are not of the world, but that HE was going to leave them in the world.
How would HIS disciples be set apart or sanctified from the world, through the word of GOD.
Here is what happens, HE would leave HIS disciples (us included) in this world, living in this world, we acquire the filth of this world on our feet spiritually speaking.
When we live our day to day lives we will pick some of the things of this world.
We are tempted by the things of this world, we pick up behaviers of this world, attitudes of this world, styles of this world and we could go on and on.
1 John 2:15-16
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Jesus is teaching that the Christian is to have a continual practice of getting his or her feet washed.
When we pick up the things of this world and we will, this is clearly taught in this passage, not one of us will attain this so called Christian perfection, but we should be getting better and better as we are sanctified through thy truth, the truth of the word of God.
The dirty feet and the need for footwashing is symbolic of broken and restored fellowship with GOD.
What is the washing symbolic of?
John 13:10
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
He that is washed, does not need washed again, what is this talking about?
Does this mean that the disciples no longer needed to wash their physical bodies, NO.
There is a spiritual meaning here, and it is salvation.
Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
1 Peter 1:18-19 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
How many times does somebody need washed, ONCE.
That is how good the blood of Christ is.
John 13:10
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Once you have been washed you are washed, this is what Jesus is teaching.
This kind of sounds like “once you are saved you are always saved”.
Peter was saved but his feet needed washed, as do our feet.
You can be saved and not be in fellowship with God, and may I suggest get right with GOD.
Dirty feet = no fellowship with God. vs 8
How is a Christian to keep clean feet?
Confession keeps our feet clean.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession simply means to agree.
There should be an urgency to make things right with GOD, when you sin, when you pick up the things of this world.
Christian I got news for you, the world is not our home, and we should thank GOD for that.
The Word of God will keep our feet clean.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
John 17:17
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
There is fruit in daily bible readings and disciplined schedules.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
What about those who have not been washed?
The washing is represnative of salvation.
Are you clean Christian, are you in fellowship with God?
Not all have washed
John 13:10-11 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
Christ is speaking to his 12 disciples only, all of which participated in soul winning, miracles, preaching, healing.
Jesus is saying not all are clean. (Saved)
Jesus brings this up several times, later in the passage we read…
John 13:22
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
The disciples did not know of whom he is speaking.
One of his disciples was not saved.
I have often wondered how many people are in Bible believing, preaching churches that are not saved.
I wonder if there are any in here tonight.
What changed when you got saved?
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The real change takes place on the inside knowing the Lord.
Do you know the Lord, do you love the Lord?
Is there spiritual fruit in your life?
Do you love God’s word?
Are you saved not according to what a preacher once said, not according to what you understand not according to a prayer you said?
Are you saved according to what Christ did for you on the cross?
1 Pet 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Judas was not saved.
The eleven disciples did not know he was not saved.
Don’t ask your spouse if your are saved.
Don’t ask your parents if you are saved.
Don’t ask the preacher if you are saved.
Don’t ask the Sunday School teacher if you are saved.
They do not know if you are saved or not.
The eleven did not know that Judas was not saved.
We are saved according to what the Bible says.
Washing one another’s feet
John 13:12-15 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
How do we wash each others feet?
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Some Christians only come to church to sit and listen and we are to do this, but we should be doing more.
Every Christian should come to church to be a help to another brother or sister, the bible calls this fellowship.
One of our children have a problem with stinky feet, it is easy for me to notice the smell.
You would think that he would notice that he is stinking up my house but he doesn’t.
I have to inform him of his smell so he can get it right.
In other words many Christians are stinking up the church of God but, they do not know it.
Pray for them, be careful in approaching them, and make sure you are right with God first.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Matthew 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Before we can wash other persons feet, our feet need to be clean.
Psa 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Are you saved, have you truly been washed?
You may have every person in here fooled as Judas had all the disciples fooled.
Fool this church no longer and get saved.
Maybe you are a Christian with dirty feet.
Does anybody in here like smelling your dirty feet?
I do not!!!
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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