Wednesdays Words

Clean

 

John 13:9-10 “Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!" Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you are clean, but that isn't true of everyone here."  (NLT)

 

Clean =  katharos (kath-ar-os'); clean (literally or figuratively): clean, clear, pure.

 

What was Jesus talking about here when He speaks of being “clean”.  Is He speaking of a clean that we can get with Coast Soap and hot water?  Or maybe something deeper, a cleansing of the spirit?

 

I believe that Jesus is speaking about our internal cleansing, our “coming clean” in God’s eyes and not mans. 

 

Jesus is talking about two separate cleansings here;

 

  1. Justification (just as if we never sinned) is our initial “deep cleansing action”.  It is this  

     cleansing that removes all our past sins, assures us of eternal life and life abundant 

     now.  Titus 2:14 “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and 

     to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right.” (NLT)

 

Unfortunately, we live in a world that is filthy with sin, and we walk in it daily.  We may not loose the salvation we have been given but our feet get dirty from the sins we continue to commit.  That is the reason for cleansing number two:

 

  1. Sanctification - the continual cleansing we receive from the sins we commit and our

      growth in Christ. (sanctification) Psalm 51:12-13 “Restore to me again the joy of your

      salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and    

      they will return to you.”  (NLT)    I John 1:7 “But if we are living in the light of God's   

      presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of

      Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin.”  (NLT)

 

Jesus tells our radical friend Simon Peter here that He has performed the initial work of cleansing in Peter’s life, he needs only to deal with the “daily dirt” he picks up as he wanders in the world.  This sin, like red clay mud, adds weight to our life as we walk in it; forgiveness cleanses us from our sin and removes that burden from us.

 

There is a third and final cleansing we will receive when we depart from this world and enter into the Glory of Heaven.  This process is called Glorification.  At that time all of our sins will be washed away permanently and we will live truly pure and holy lives with Jesus forever.

 

Do you need cleansed today?

 

Jesus is waiting to cleanse you; initially, continually and eternally.