Holy Unto the Lord

This is He who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by the water and blood. And the Spirit is He who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6)

Jesus came to bring the purifying power of blood and the washing of water. The blood represents the forgiveness of sins and the water represents the power to live a holy life. Through the blood and water of Christ we can enter the holy place and find power to live a life separated unto God. We have been given power to live a life that is not of this world.

We hear a lot about the blood, but not much about the water. The water is very important and we must understand it. Before Jesus died he washed his disciple’s feet. Peter, being the zealot that he was, asked Jesus to wash his whole body, to which Jesus responded, “Your body is clean, only your feet need washing (John 13:10).” Of course in that culture they rarely took baths, because it was inconvenient, but they would wash their feet multiple times in a day. So what is the spiritual message here?

Jesus blood cleanses us once for all and we don’t need to come back again for another sacrifice, but the washing of water is a continual process. Jesus told Peter that if he didn’t wash his feet he would have no part with him. This picture of the washing of water is a necessary part of walking with God. Even though the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin, we still pick up impurities from the world around us and need to have our feet washed. Interesting that it was Jesus, acting as a servant, who had to do the washing, but we also partner with him in washing one another’s feet.

Jesus calls us today to come to Him and have our feet washed. It is in this place of humility and intimacy that we remain strong for the race. It is in this place we keep our focus on our one true love.

That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself as the glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

Notice the importance this washing of the water plays in the spotless bride Jesus is coming for. Traditionally the “word” is thought to be the scripture, which it is, but may I also remind you that Jesus himself is the Word, and prophecy is also the word of God. Jesus himself is the water of washing and we are washed in the Spirit of His presence. He is still today washing the feet of those disciples who come to him, and he calls us to partner in washing each-others’ feet with prophecy and teaching of the word. I can’t emphasize how important it is to come before Him and be washed in the water of His presence every day, otherwise we become pulled down by the impurities of the world, and before you know it the flame has died down in our hearts. Let His love be renewed in you day by day.