Random thoughts on the Upper Room and the God who washes our feet.
In this painting by Siegar Koder as the Lord washes Peter’s feet, the bread and the cup of the eucharist on the table nearby. Peter is objecting and protesting as John 13 describes the story. Jesus’ face is hidden in service but reflected in the water in the basin. I once read that in some earlier church baptism ceremonies the newly baptized were given a towel, not only as a practical gift for the dripping wet but also as a reminder of their mission to be of service to others. Where do we find the motivation for that kind of service? In the one who served us and gave himself in love for us. John 13:1 begins by telling us, just before the foot washing, that what Jesus was doing was revealing the “full extent of his love”.
I once asked my doctor why I had never heard of sleep apnea very much in the past. Now it seems like many of my friends suffer from it and are on CPAP. The doctor said, the problem was always there but before CPAP there wasn’t a great therapy for it so we just didn’t talk about it that much. I wonder if the same dynamic is a work when people refuse to face their sins. When we don’t really think there is a cure or anything effective to be done, why talk about it or even admit to it? Just struggle along. Could it be that we avoid an honest look at our sins and flaws sometimes because we have too small a view of his love and grace? Do we really believe the grace in him is bigger than the sin in us, always bigger?
If we don’t know or believe there is a cure for a problem maybe we just don’t like to really identify it. On the other hand if there is a cure, shouldn’t we be more open about naming the problem and applying the cure? Our deepest problem is the soul-sickness of sin. However we have a cure so let’s look for and identify our problem honestly, humbly and continually. John assures us, “the blood of Jesus, His (God’s) son, purifies us from all sins.” (1 John 1:5) There is no cure for my vague feelings, excuses or rationalizations but for sin there is a cure. And seeing that honestly and believing it deeply heals my heart and hands me a towel.
Larry is the senior pastor at 
First of all I love this painting! I was just reading the book of Romans and it was just confirming all you wrote about. I have so much more to write, but no time to do it. I just wanted to make a quick commment to say this is a good blog, and I have some questions that I’ll add later. :)
Cudos. Great observation Larry! I think a lot of people feel this way and need to hear that there is a real Savior for real sins. This is pure gospel at its most simple level yet maintaining profound depths of truth. Imagine Jesus coming to you or me today bending down and washing our feet. How would I respond?
As I read Romans it makes more sense. I identify with Paul as he desires to do good but he continues to do sinful things.I know that it is in Christ alone that I can truly change. As i continue to stay in his word and confess my sins.
Romans 7:14-25
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. [c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature [d] a slave to the law of sin.
Romans 8:1-4
Life Through the Spirit
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you [a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the sinful nature, [b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful humanity to be a sin offering. [c] And so he condemned sin in human flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.