Washed in His word
November 6, 2019
While reading the Gospel of John today, my attention was drawn to Jesus telling His disciples as He washed their feet that they were already clean (except for one) and just needed to have their feet washed (Jn 13:3-10). This was before the cross and the resurrection. We find clues as to His meaning in John 15:3: “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you,” and again in His prayer to the Father for His disciples recorded in John 17:16-19: “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” The apostle Paul says Jesus gave Himself up for the church to “sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Eph 5:25-27). Is that why, when Jesus’ side was pierced with a spear, “at once there came out blood and water…” (Jn 19:34)?
Jesus has more to tell His disciples about the power of His words: I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me” (Jn 12:46-50).
Because of Christ’s shed blood, we can enter the very throne room of heaven to seek the counsel of heaven (Hb 10:19-22). And the Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus’ teaching and His words (Jn 14:26). Then, Jesus sends us, just as the Father sent Him (Jn 20:21, also Jn 17:8). “[As] He is so also are we in this world” (1 Jn 4:17). As His words abide in us, we bear much fruit and can ask Him “whatever [we] wish” (Jn 15:3, 5, 7-8).
Meditate on these scriptures.
Every believer who abides in Jesus and His words and who listens to the Holy Spirit and obeys has been given authority to speak words of light and life into death and darkness! Lord, help me to live in the awesome power of Your words, to take them in and process them until they become my mindset and life principles.
Jesus’ words have washed us clean. When we speak His words over others who are receptive, the cleansing process begins in them. Lies are washed away, revealing truth; wounds are healed; the Holy Spirit exposes sin, and God’s kindness brings repentance and forgiveness.
Lord, help me speak the words You give me to speak by Your Spirit, not on my own authority but by the commandment of the Father. May those words wash others and bring them closer to You.
Muslims consider the Qur’an to be Allah’s infallible word revealed to Muhammad. They believe Qur’ans on earth are perfect copies of the original, kept in heaven. The words of the Qur’an hide the truth about Jesus and contradict what He says about Himself in the Bible. Lord, may we Your people speak the gracious truth of Your words over Muslim people who are longing for Truth and the freedom He brings (Jn 8:31-32) so they too can be clean. Give us courage to pray for them in person with revelation and authority.