Elegant Themes Blog

Ed Young Devotionals

    The Reversal

    Posted on Apr 23, 2019 12:00:00 AM

    Read

    John 13:8-9, "Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!' Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.' Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!'"

    Think

    Resistance and Reversal Talk about the ultimate 180-degree roller coaster ride! First, Peter resists the act of Jesus washing his feet. Then, he reverses, insisting that Jesus wash his hands and head as well. He rejects Jesus' act of humility, but when Jesus spelled out the importance of it, he accepted the offer – and then some! There is profound meaning in Jesus' words: "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." In Peter's mind, it was not right for the Messiah to be humiliated by stooping to wash feet.  But Peter had to realize that Christ came to be humiliated. If Peter could not accept this act of washing feet, he would certainly have trouble accepting what Jesus would do for him on the cross. Peter called Jesus "Lord," yet, with the strongest of resistance, told this same Lord, "You shall never wash my feet."  Peter's resistance needed a reversal or otherwise, he would be on the craziest roller coaster ride ever.  Jesus is either Lord of all or he is not Lord at all.

    Act

    Pinpoint one thing you believe Jesus wants you to do that you have not done yet. Commit today to do a reversal like Peter and do what your Lord wants to be done!

    Pray

    Jesus, you are Lord. I will not refuse what you want to be done in my life. Give me the strength to accomplish all that you want to happen in me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

    Topics: serving, servant