Friday, April 3, 2015

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes

 John 13: 8-9

 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Like Peter, we may feel that Christ is too good for us or that we are too distant from Him to apply the atonement in our lives. We may feel inadequate, unable to qualify for Christ's love and forgiveness. I am happy to tell you that you are wrong. Christ may not physically wash our feet, but He will cleanse our souls.

Simon Peter had the right idea - if being close to Christ and feeling the joy of His love and forgiveness requires the humbling act of submitting to Him, then it is something worth doing whole-heartedly, with our best efforts. We should allow Christ to wash our souls, the way Simon Peter allowed the Savior to wash his body. Well may we feel that we are inadequate; we are imperfect people. However, Christ does not require that we be perfect in order to ask for His help - He gives it freely to all who ask for it and are willing to repent. He is so kind, so good, that He would wash us, and make us whole. As Christ taught, it is those who have need of Him who He would most like to care for. I testify that you and I can be healed by our Savior. I'm grateful for His life and His works, for dying for me and for rising again for my eternal life. I know He died for us, but most importantly I know that He Lives. I say this in His name, Amen.