Title: If I Don't Wash You / 2004.10.3.
If the contents are not washed
John 13:3-11, 6:53-57
Today is World Communion Sunday. Grace received through the Lord's Supper
It is a great and wonderful grace that cannot be compared with anything else. What is the significance of the Lord's Supper, so that we can participate in this rite without change over the past 2000 years, transcending denominations?
In fact, at the last supper, Jesus gave bread and wine to his disciples at the last supper that was performed on the very Passover to commemorate the exodus from Egypt, saying that this is his body, which Jesus was crucified, and his blood to be shed. You did. And he said to do this to commemorate the death of the Lord and to receive the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, we, Christians, participate in this Lord's Supper in order to remember that grace, receive it, and live according to that grace.
Unlike other Gospels, today's text records the special appearance of Jesus. It was at this last supper that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. After getting up from the meal, Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist, filled the washbasin with water, and started wiping the feet of his disciples as he passed away one by one. This action of Jesus is believed to have been done to show the disciples who compete and fight over who is greater with each other, to show that the way to truly become a disciple is the way to serve.
However, there are verses that stand out in today's text. It is in a conversation with Peter. While the other disciples were confused and restless, they set their feet on Jesus and were washed, but Peter did not pass by. He refused to set his feet on Jesus.
“Lord, I don’t know if I wash your feet, how do you wash my please?”
Washing your feet is what servants do. So it was inconceivable that their Teacher, Jesus, would wash their feet. So Peter couldn't put his feet up. Then the Lord said something strange.
"If you don't wash, you have no part with me."
Peter, startled by these words, is astonished again and reacts with a stern response.
"Lord, wash my hands and my head as well as my feet."
Really, Peter, you are so lovely. Peter, who reacts so innocently like a child, how could the Lord not love him? The Lord speaks again.
“Those who have already bathed need only wash their feet.”
So, perhaps, with tears of emotion, Peter laid his crumpled feet up to the Lord, and was washed by the gentle hands of the Lord.
But what Jesus said to Peter is unusual.
'If you don't wash, you have nothing to do with me'
No matter how it is, how is it that the relationship with Jesus is cut off at once just because Peter, who has been living and working together for the past three years, has not washed his feet once? So you can see that this is not just a question of washing your feet. To be washed by Jesus is to realize that it is not simply washing the feet of the body, but washing the soul. So, doesn't the Lord tell Peter to wash his whole body? 'Those who have already bathed need only wash their feet.' In other words, those who have already been saved only need to wash their feet.
'Those who have already bathed' are those who have received Jesus as their Savior and whose souls belong to the kingdom of God. Even the saints who have already been saved can get their feet dirty if they live in the world. It could be a step in sin. It could be a step of disobedience. You may fall into greed. This does not mean that you will be baptized again. But each time, you have to fall down before the Lord, repent, and have your feet washed. This is exactly what the Lord has said.
Today's Lord's Supper is the time to lay down our dirty feet to the Lord. It is a time to receive the grace of washing our shameful feet. 'If you don't wash, you have nothing to do with me.' You did. If we do not receive the grace of reaching out to Jesus to wash our feet, our relationship with Jesus will inevitably be cut off.
So the Lord said the same thing when He spoke of the Lord's Supper.
Truly, truly, I say to you
Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
There is no life in you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life
I will raise him up on the last day
My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
abiding in me and I abiding in it
the living father sent me
As I live because of my father
He who eats me will live because of me. John 6:53-57
Today is the day we receive the Holy Supper. The Lord's Supper we are participating in today is a time to receive the forgiveness of sins. Anyone who comes to faith will receive the grace of this mysterious Christ. Those who come out believing in the grace of the cross today can receive the grace of God that is given equally to everyone.
Today is especially World Communion Sunday. Why is it that all churches in the world celebrate Holy Communion on the same Sunday? In fact, the original early church had the Lord's Supper every week. That is why the name Holy Communion Sunday is rather novel. But anyway, why did all the churches choose to have Holy Communion on the same Sunday?
1. It is to confirm that all churches in the world are churches centered on Christ Jesus.
2. Wherever they are, Christians affirm that they are brothers and sisters in Jesus.
3. To confirm the mission of the worldwide church to be saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.
In this way, through the Lord's Supper, all the disciples of Christ confess that they serve one God, believe in one Christ, and live in one hope, no matter where they are, what denomination or what ethnic group they belong to. Not only in this spatial sense, but also in a temporal sense, the Lord's Supper unites us with our ancestors of old faith. We are God's people in Christ, and we become God's family. Not only that, but it also makes us confess that our mission is one.
Today, through the Lord's Supper, the act of offering out our souls to the Lord through faith is the very act of confessing Jesus as our Savior, the Lord of grace for the forgiveness of our sins, and our eternal hope. So, if you do not reach out to the Lord and be washed, you will have no relationship with the Lord.
One body, one Spirit
In the same way you were called in one hope of your calling.
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
There is one God, the Father of all... Ephesians 4:4-6
How should we take part in this mysterious Supper of Grace today?
First, you must participate with a reverent heart.
Holy Communion is not just a formality or a psychological act. Truly, it is the time of forgiveness of sins through the body and blood of Christ, and the time of Christ's presence in my soul. Therefore, we must confess our sins sincerely and share in this bread and cup with faith.
Second, we must participate by the decision of love.
Just as we become one body with Christ, the Lord's Supper is to form one body with the brothers of faith who share in us. Just as my sins are forgiven, I must drink this cup with faith to forgive the sins of all others. And we must participate in the will of the Lord, deciding to love and live according to the will of the Lord.
Third, we must participate with the determination of chastity.
By participating in the holy body and blood of Christ, you must believe that you have become a holy and pure spirit and keep the purity of your body, mind, will, and life. And you have to participate in it while making the decision to continue to carry out the mission given by that faith.
your body, which you have received from God,
Don't you know that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is among you?
You are not yours, but you were bought with a price.
Then glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Dear members of the Holy Communion, this is the time of atonement. It is the time of Christ's presence. It is the time when the brothers of faith become one in Christ. Please share the thrill of this great grace by participating sincerely and with gratitude. And I hope you will gain great strength and boldness from the word of power that the Lord gives you.
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