Wednesday 12th November
Read John 13:6-11
“He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’
7 Jesus replied, ‘You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’
8 ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’
9 ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’
10 Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.’ 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.” (NIVUK)
One word from Jesus, threatening Peter with abandonment, and his ‘never’ is forgotten! This is the very definition of eternal FOMO.
The key thing John wants us to note though is how quickly Peter jumps to yet another incorrect conclusion. Jesus has just told Peter that he will understand later. Peter hears one statement implying he will have no share with Jesus – and immediately thinks he understands and demands to be made completely clean so he won’t miss out.
Peter’s assumptions (that Jesus is way better than him and that being part of His life is an all or nothing thing) are not obviously incorrect. But in his haste Peter has not paused to listen closely. Many an ancient church father has drawn deeply from these words – time spent listening to Jesus is never time wasted.
