PGA Chaplain Bible Studies
Study 5– February 11th to 17th 2008.
Reading – John Chapter Ch13:
verses 1 to 18 Part 2.
Have you been washed clean?
“Jesus came to Simon Peter to wash his feet. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord,
are you going to wash my feet”? Jesus replied, “You do not
know what I am doing, but later you will understand”. “No” said
Peter, “you will never wash my feet”. Jesus answered, “Unless
I wash you, you will have no part with me.” John Chapter 13: verses
6 to 8. (New International Version)
It was only when I got involved on the PGA Tour that I realised that
Tour players use as many as 3 new balls per round. The balls they play
with are softer than the ones most use and they scuff, get dirty and
go out of shape easily. Once damaged or dirty they are discarded for
a new one.
For many of us we may use one ball for a number of rounds or it may not
last long anyway being lost in the trees, out of bounds or ending up
in a water hazard. But even so, most of us have a bag of unwanted used
dirty golf balls.
Tours players only use the best, because their performance is of utmost
importance to them.
With God, only the best will do when it comes to his standards, because
of the nature of who God is. God is holy, just, perfect and true, without
fault. Those who wish to be friends with God or share in his life must
be of the same heart. There is never a compromise of who God is.
I find the holy, just and perfect aspect of God’s character continually
compromised today when people talk about finding favour with God. I used
to do this myself until I learnt of God’s character in the bible.
This compromise suggests our character and goodness is good enough for
God, even though we are stained with defects. We often talk about a loving
God, but rarely a Holy God. How wrong we can be!
The washing of the disciple’s feet by Jesus as shown in the last
study was showing an example of how we are to associate with others.
We are to be servants of one another. Our life is best lived when we
treat others in this way. This is the way for all who follow Jesus.
But as Jesus shows, the washing of the disciples is also a sign of our
need to be washed and cleansed. Like the golf ball that is discarded
for a new one, our present status as imperfect people disqualifies us
from God who is holy and perfect. Jesus came into the world as our servant
for the express purpose of making us clean and acceptable to God. It’s
like we need to be put through the ball washer and made clean and new
again. We believe the blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sins, as we
trust in him. In this way we are cleansed, forgiven and perfect in every
way.
Jesus says in this reading that unless he washes us we can have no part
in him or the life he came to bring. This washing is of our need to be
cleansed, to be forgiven in order to be acceptable to God and to have
life that is eternal.
Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, rising from the dead and exalted
to be our King, makes this cleansing possible. In return for our sins,
Jesus gives us his righteousness.
I really encourage you to discard any hope of finding acceptance with
God through our own goodness since this is a lost cause. However asking
Jesus to cleanse us and to put our trust in him is not.
Prayer. Holy and just God, we thank you for Jesus who washing
us clean. Thank you that I can celebrate this washing with the joy
of knowing I am acceptable in your sight. |