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| Jesus decides to wash his disciples' feet to illustrate a principle. |
As Christians, when we finally get it we then try to do too much. In John 13:5-10, Jesus begins to wash the feet of his disciples. When he comes to Peter, the disciple in his ignorance rejects Jesus' humble service. When Jesus explains to him that in allowing his teacher to serve him he is acknowledging that they are one. He is showing that we can rest in obedience. Peter, however, goes overboard.
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| Jesus humbly begins to wash the feet of his disciples. |
Peter enthusiastically says that if that's the case, he then wanted Jesus to wash his hands and his head! While it is commendable that Peter was so committed to his relationship with The Savior, all of that was not necessary. In the Christian walk, God shows us often that much of our activity is not necessary, and that we can rest in obedience. He explained to Peter that to be clean for the purposes and point that his Lord and Master was making meant that only his feet needed to be washed.
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| Peter's ignorance causes him to reject Jesus' ministering. |
There are deeper messages in this passage. For now, I will say that we as Christians try to do too much. The
too much is what we perceive as pleasing God, or being a part of God's kingdom. We work hard to think of ways to please God. This is a form of orchestrated sacrifice. The best thing to do is to expend our energies towards learning how to better hear the still small voice of God's Spirit. When we hear what he is saying to us, we can then rest in obedience.
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| Peter goes overboard in his acceptance of Jesus's ministering. |
When we are more experienced in discerning his guidance we can better obey his voice. The Word tells us that
obedience is better than sacrifice. When Peter accepted the ministering to him in the way that Christ was determined that it should be done, that was the better way. He suppressed his desire to sacrifice through unnecessary activity. He obeyed his Master. We too can rest in obedience.
Then Samuel said,
"Is the LORD as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience?
To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice.
To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams."
I Samuel 15:22 (GW)
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