10/25/2019
Do we understand all that Jesus does for us each day? Even when we look at the cross, and think we understand, do we really? We see the end result, the forgiveness of sin, and the defeat of death, but do we really understand all that occurred in just those few days; in just those final moments? Do we grasp all that He endured for us, or how we came to benefit from His sacrifice? In our ignorance, and bold arrogance we might feel like we do, but Jesus Himself tells us we don’t.
“Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand."”
John 13:7 ESV
Jesus said this about something as simple as washing His Disciple’s feet in the upper room. There is a mystery in this action, and it extends further than just the obvious servitude, and humble nature of the act. We know this because Jesus told Peter that we couldn’t understand what He was doing... yet Peter, like we are inclined to do, spoke adamantly, and defiantly, from His own human ignorance when he said...
“Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet."”
John 13:8 ESV
Can you, in your wildest dreams, ever imagine speaking to Jesus, the Son of God, in such a way? Well, Jesus didn’t just ignore him, promise him a trophy despite his less than stellar performance, or treat him like many of us treat our children today... no... He immediately corrected Peter without hesitation, and in the very same verse with this promise of punishment...
“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me."”
John 13:8 ESV
We like to read this as a light rebuke, something akin to sending a child to bed without supper, but it wasn’t. What if our Bible translation had worded the response of Jesus in this way... “If I don’t wash you, you will not be my joint heir in God.” or perhaps this way, “If I don’t wash you, you will go to hell.” Peter didn’t understand what was happening in this simple act of foot-washing, and used his own limited knowledge to judge the behavior of Christ. Obviously this foot washing was much more than Peter could understand, and which we can understand today. We know this because of the punishment that would be dealt out for not complying... it was severe. Peter knew it was severe, and that he had crossed the line. We know this too because of his response to Jesus...
“Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!"”
John 13:9 ESV
Peter still didn’t understand the fullness of what Jesus was doing, so he responded Like a child facing punishment by telling Jesus that he would comply, and that Jesus could wash all of him. But then, we hear Jesus teach Him again by saying...
“Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you."”
John 13:10 ESV
We read this to mean that they had already had a bath, so He only need to wash their feet, but there is so much more to this... some of which Jesus went on to explain, but’s more that they didn’t understand then, and that we still don’t understand today.
So what do we do when we don’t fully understand something biblical; something spiritual? We obey what is asked of us, and continue to learn as we do so. We let Jesus wash our feet, and we wash the feet of one another as He commands. Like Peter, we comply... because the penalty for noncompliance is too high, and our understanding too limited.
So do we understand all that Jesus does for us? No! Oh we might see the big picture, and receive a glimpse into the thoughts of God, but even in our certainty we are lacking the complete view of the fullness, and intricacy. So by our faith, and by our obedience to the commandments we receive, we remain true to the will of God... we remain, even in our limited understanding, and ignorance, within His will. Are you obedient when you don’t see the whole picture? Are you ready to trust in God, and take for fact those mysteries that confront you? Are you willing to employ your faith and obedience?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for showing me the way to you, for giving me glimpses into who you are, and allowing me to remain within your will by my faith, and obedience. Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus who teaches me how to worship you, and how to adhere to your will... even though I am but a man. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that prays for me when my words escape me, and who gives me understanding as I struggle. Help me Father to remain faithful to you despite my ignorance, and to obey, as a dutiful child, the commandments I don’t fully understand. Lead me to know you more each day, and keep me obediently within your will until I have come to understand. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose ways are greater than mine, and of whom I learn more each day. Praised be your name for the mercy and grace with which you deal with me. Great is the tolerance, and patience that you employ, and glorious are you through not only those things that I understand Jesus to have done, but those I am not yet privy to. Hear my prayers Gracious Lord, see my obedience, and forgive my ignorance and sin. Know me as a loving child that desires your love, acceptance, and pleasure always.
“and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."”
Genesis 22:16-18 ESV
Rich Forbes