It’s that time of year again, the holidays we anticipate all year long, the ones where family comes together; we see friends we haven’t for some time. You know the routine…We eat turkey and pumpkin pie, decorate the tree, sing carols, wrap presents . . .it’s what we do.
In the first century, Passover was that time of year. They knew the routine: unblemished lamb, a road trip to Jerusalem, a symbolic meal shared amongst family and friends, storytelling of the olden days…
Luke 22:8
Jesus sent Peter and John saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”
Peter knew the routine. Until Jesus hijacked the routine.
John 13:5
“After that, Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” What’s happening? This isn’t right! this isn’t routine, Peter must have thought.
John 13:6-8a
“He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Oh, Peter . . .
You just gotta love Peter, don’t you? You gotta love a guy who calls Jesus Lord, and rightly so, then proceeds to tell Lord Jesus precisely what he can and cannot do.
Verses 8b-10
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, Peter…
Oh, Peter . . .
This time around, Peter tells Jesus straight up he has a new and much better plan of his own!—wash me more, wash me most, wash my hands, my head, wash my…. Oh, Peter…
Do you and I act like our friend Peter at times?
Am I quick to call Jesus Lord but not quick to listen?
Do I say he’s my Master but I’m more about my own agenda?
Do I worship him as King, even when the King’s ways seem crazy?
I love that Jesus chose Peter to follow him.
I love Peter because we’re all Peter sometimes.
Thank you, Lord, for your patience with Peter.
Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me.
Donielle Winter