FELLOWSHIP WITH JESUS

 October 16 

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you,

you have no part with Me.” John 13:8b

When Peter heard these words from his Lord, He was all in. Previously he resisted the idea of Jesus washing his feet, but when he heard that he would not have part with Jesus, he was ready to have his hands and head washed as well. Why? What changed? Peter loved the Lord. Thus, the thought of not having part or fellowship with his Lord was a terrible thought. Peter longed to continue to have fellowship with his Lord. Do we?  

In God’s providence, the Lord used Jesus’ exchange with Peter to teach us an important truth about our relationship with Him. You could also think of it this way. Growing up, my mother had a very clear rule, “You must wash your hands before you come to the table for a meal.” My mom loved me and had demonstrated her love by preparing a wonderful meal for me to enjoy. But our fellowship was interrupted by my dirty hands.  

The solution was simple: wash my hands and I could come to the table to enjoy the scrumptious meal, and continue to experience fellowship with my mom. My mother didn’t love me any less when my hands were dirty, but my dirty hands were preventing her from having ‘part’ with me. Aren’t we thankful that God has promised to continue to cleanse us day by day as we come to Him? Bask in the fellowship we are able to have with our Savior. “He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

Joshua Steiner