Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

2 June 2025

Reading From John 13:1-20

“He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.”

—John 13:6-11

     Peter has to be one of my favorite people in all of Scripture.  He had so much love and respect for the Savior and an awareness of his own unworthiness that he felt uncomfortable with Jesus washing his feet.  He loves the Lord so much that once Jesus explained the he must be washed in order to be with Him, Peter was all in! 

     In order for us to be with God in Heaven and enjoy perfect unity and harmony with Him, we must be washed in the blood of the Lamb.  We receive this purification by believing, repenting, confessing, and receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord.  When we are born again, we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus applied to our lives by the work of the Holy Spirit.  Water baptism by immersion is an outward sign of this inward work.

“Lord Jesus, please forgive me of all my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness.  Wash me clean in Your blood and heal me from the damage caused by my sin.  Renew me in my inmost parts that I might serve You all the days of my life.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, Amen.”

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

—Titus 3:4-7