John 13:6-8 I Don't Understand

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 

Observation: 

In the time of Peter and the Passover, everyone wore sandals, there was no complete foot covering available. Moreover, everyone had to walk, few had donkeys and even fewer had horses, so the majority had to move around on foot. Compound that with heat and dust, and you get some pretty dirty feet. In addition, they didn't have baths like we we have baths, you had to go down to the river to get clean. So when you would arrive at someone's house for dinner, it was customary that a slave would wash the feet of the visitors. In fact, the slave that washed the feet could not be a Jew, because it was considered beneath their position (even as a slave) to do so. 

No one had washed the disciples feet as they ate the Passover meal. I can't help but wonder if it is because there were only Jews in the room. It never occurred to any of them to take the task on themselves. So imagine their shock when the Supreme Authority in the room humbles himself and begins to do the lowest of all jobs. It is too much for them to reconcile at the time.  It is only when they look back on that incredible moment that they see Christ showing how they and we are supposed to live and love another.

Application:

Many things happened in my life this week that I don't understand. They are emotionally heavy things and I'm finding it difficult to know what God wants me to do with these things. However, I am not anxious, because I know that God will show me in due time. Like this scripture, Jesus has no expectation of them understanding the significance of the moment; Jesus also has no expectation of me understanding the significance of this moment in my life. This is very reassuring to me because I and others expect a reaction from heavy circumstances, but I have none to give, and God is okay with that.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that I can lean on You and not my own understanding. Even in several heavy circumstances this week I know Your goodness is there. I know that when the time comes You will make my path straight. I love You.