Walking Through Holy Week in Peter’s Sandals

As we reflect on and celebrate the gift of Jesus’ sacrificial love this week, let’s journey through the days leading up to His death and resurrection. There are many characters and perspectives shared throughout the gospels, so let’s hone in on one of Jesus’ disciples, a passionate and out-spoken man named Peter.

A Little Backstory

• Peter’s known for being the first to declare Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 16:16).
• But also he made bold statements that Jesus rebuked (Matt. 16:22-23).
• Jesus selected a few of His disciples to whom to show His full glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, and Peter was one of those blessed individuals (Matt. 17:1).
• Peter is one of the most named disciples in the gospels to interact with Jesus, answering His questions and participating in His ministry.

Today’s Scripture:

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 head as well!”

-Matthew 13:6-9 (NIV)

I love this interaction between Peter and Jesus because it shows the deep love they have for one another. Of course, Jesus’ love is perfect while Peter still doesn’t quite understand what’s going on. But it’s clear even when Peter addresses Jesus as “Lord” that he wants to respect and honor Him.

Peter felt it wasn’t right for his teacher–much less his Lord–to take on the form of a servant and wash his stinky, dirty feet. He didn’t understand that this action was a metaphor for Jesus accepting the burden of our filthy sin, dying on the cross, and washing us clean with the sacrifice of His life.

As we will continue to witness Peter and Jesus’ interactions throughout Holy Week, Peter struggles to fathom the idea of a humble God when his understanding of the Messiah was likely a warrior king.

In fact, the first time Peter is rebuked, it was because he refused to accept the price Jesus was willing to pay in order to save us from our sins.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

-Matthew 16:21-23

Even though Peter’s concern for Jesus likely came out of a place of love and admiration, he wasn’t willing to surrender to God’s will because the cost felt too great. Peter was fixated on fleeting, earthly things rather than considering that God had a greater plan.

Reflection Questions:

• Think back to a time when God might’ve been saying to you, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
• What might you need to surrender in order to trust God with the unknown?
• What worries or burdens are you carrying today?
• How might fixing your eyes on Jesus and remembering that God is in control help you to have peace, even through the storms of life?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for taking on the form of a humble servant and washing us clean of our sins. We are in need of you each day, for when we are weak, then you are strong. Help us to surrender our earthly desires, dreams, and fears to you, exchanging them for your peace.

Amen.