This message by Rev. Paul Burleson was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church during a series of meetings entitled “Week of Renewal”, on Monday evening, October 15, 2007, and was taken from John 13:1-9.
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. (John 13:1-9, KJV)
It is worth noting that other than Jesus Peter is the only person mentioned in this passage. It is also worth noting that within 24 hours of this event Jesus is hanging on the cross. What he says to Peter here is of utmost importance.
Peter is a man with a defiled heart, and that is a problem in his life. The bath is a symbol of salvation. Washing of feet is a symbol of the continual need for removal the contamination we acquire in the process of our walk in this world. Peter did not need a bath. He had already been saved. Peter just needed the dirt from the road washed from his feet.
It is the nature of sin that the one who sins tends to hide. One of the best places to hide from God is in a Baptist church. If we will deal with our sin, we don’t have to hide from God.
Peter’s sin was pride: “Lord, though every one leave you, I never will forsake you.” Here’s a two-word test for pride: “blame” and/or “anger” in a conversation with God are sure signs of pride in our life.
To end well is going to take honesty with the sin in our life. We all want revival and renewal. God will work in our lives only when we are disparate enough to do something with our sin even though no one else is