Niptø - Wash

When we think of the word wash, we usually refer to cleanse with water and usually with a cleaning agent (a soap). Wash your hands and face. In John 13 we read that Jesus washed His disciple's feet the night before Passover. “Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel.” - John‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭TPT‬‬.

The word translated “wash” in John 13:5 is niptø and means “to wash a part of the body.” But in verse 10 John uses the word washed (louø) which means “to bathe all over.” The distinction is important, for Jesus was trying to teach His disciples the importance of a holy walk. When the sinner trusts the Savior, he is “bathed all over” and his sins are washed away and forgiven. “He saved us, resurrecting us through the washing of rebirth. We are made completely new by the Holy Spirit, whom he splashed over us richly by Jesus, the Messiah, our Life-Giver.” - Titus‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭TPT‬‬ - “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” - Hebrews 10:17.

However, as the believer walks in this world, it is easy to become defiled. He does not need to be bathed all over again; he simply needs to have that defilement cleansed away. God promises to cleanse us when we confess our sins to Him. “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].” - 1 John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭AMP‬‬.

But why is it so important that we “keep our feet clean”?

Because if we are defiled, we cannot have communion with our Lord. “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” - John 13:8 KJV. When God “bathes us all over” in salvation, He brings about our union with Christ, and that is a settled relationship that cannot change. However, our communion with Christ depends on our keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world” - “True spirituality that is pure in the eyes of our Father God is to make a difference in the lives of the orphans, and widows in their troubles, and to refuse to be corrupted by the world’s values.” - James ‭1:27‬ ‭TPT‬‬. If we permit unconfessed sin in our lives, we hinder our walk with the Lord, and that is when we need to have our feet washed.

This basic truth of Christian living is beautifully illustrated in the Old Testament priesthood. When the priest was consecrated, he was bathed all over. “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and wash them with water.” - Exodus‬ ‭29:4‬ ‭ESV‬. And that experience was never repeated. However, during his daily ministry, he became defiled, so it was necessary that he wash his hands and feet at the brass laver in the courtyard “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet.” - Exodus‬ ‭30:18-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬. Only then could he enter the holy place and trim the lamps, eat the holy bread, or burn the incense.

The Lord cleanses us through the blood of Christ, that is, His work on the cross “but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].” - 1 John‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬. And through the application of His Word to our lives. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” - Psalm‬ ‭119:9‬ ‭ESV - “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” - John‬ ‭15:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ -“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,” - Ephesians‬ ‭5:25-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬.

The “water of the Word” can keep our hearts and minds clean so that we will avoid the pollution of this world. But if we do sin, we have a loving Advocate in glory who will hear our prayers of confession and forgive us. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” - ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬.

It is a wonderful thing to deepen your fellowship with the Lord. The important thing is, to be honest with Him and with ourselves and keep our feet clean. Are your feet clean?