On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. When Peter realized that he needed to have his feet washed, Peter then said, “Not only my feet, but also my hands and my head” (John 13:9). Once Peter realized he needed to have the washing, Peter then wanted everything that was essential to be washed.
Many people come to church and they will only let the Lord cleanse certain areas of their life or heart. Just as we must wash naturally, we must wash spiritually. In modern society most people would never think about taking a bath just once a week. People that work in offices or with other people would not think it is acceptable to just wash their hands and face every day without taking a bath several times a week.
Why should people be concerned about taking a bath several times a week if they washed their face and hands? Most people realize that if they only washed their face and hands, after a few days they would stink and be offensive. Yet many people come to church weekly and do no more than the spiritual equivalent of washing the hands and the face. Many people come to church and want to be accepted by the Lord when, spiritually, they stink.
Notice that the hands and the face are the parts that are seen and most likely to come into physical contact with others. But even when we can look acceptable with clean, neat clothes, shaven, washed face and hands, if we haven’t showered in a while we will still stink. Psalm 51:16-17 says that God is not looking on the outward appearance but the inward. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and contrite heart…” and “…thou desirest truth in the inward parts…” (Psalm 51:6). We need to let the Lord wash us deeply and completely in the hidden parts of our hear so that we don’t spiritually stink in the Lord’s presence. Let’s have a heart like David that says, “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” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Let’s have Peter’s attitude: “Lord, wash everything!”
