Lessons from Passover - Ceremonial Washing
"Did you all remember to wash your hands before coming to eat?"
Washing before meals is important. The germs that make us sick come from our dirty hands. Always washing is important for good physical health.
Washing was also part of the Passover meal. The celebration leader and the father or patriarch of the whole family dipped their fingers in a bowl and dried them with a towel. This act symbolized the importance of being ceremonially clean before God. In Jesus' day servants usually assisted with daily washing. But during the Passover, servants were with their own families. So Jesus performed the ceremonial washing, including the disciples' feet, which had been neglected because no one was willing to humble himself in that way.
The washing of Passover was only a symbol. The washing that really cleanses people is the washing of Holy Baptism. In Baptism the power of God's Word connected with the water removes sin from our hearts and creates faith in Jesus our Savior. Jesus commanded. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
The faith we receive as a gift of God's Holy Spirit protects us from the deadly effects of sin. Baptism is different from washing before a meal. We have to wash before every meal to stay healthy, but with Baptism we only need to wash once. The promise of Baptism is forever. Baptized believers are forever washed free from sin through the blood that Jesus shed for us and all people. Even though we are dirty with sin, by faith we are clean in God's eyes.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Who needs to be told about being washed clean before God through Baptism?
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Ask God to make many more people his people through Holy Baptism.
Lord Jesus, help us remember Baptism and its promise of forgiveness when we feel guilty about sins we have committed. Amen.