Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded (John 13:1-5).
You know, forgiving someone after they have done something to us is hard enough. Jesus forgave, knowing the terrible things that people would do, before they carried out the offenses. Consider this when reading about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
Jesus was, and is the Lord of all. Yet He picked up a towel, filled up a basin and washed the disciples’ feet. This very act was performed by servants- not the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In itself this is enough to amaze us. However, there is so much more to consider.
Judas Iscariot- the betrayer of Christ- was in the room. Satan had already convinced him to betray Jesus. Even while Jesus was washing his feet, Judas was contemplating how he would sell Jesus out. Judas had not completed the act, but Jesus forgave Him before it was done.
The rest of the disciples proved to be deserters when Jesus needed them most. However, He still washed their feet. They hadn’t deserted Him yet, but He forgave them before they checked out on Him.
Then there were His tormentors- the ones who took part in ending His life. In Luke 23:34, Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Again, they hadn’t completed the act, but He forgave them before it was finished.
What about our sins? They are offensive to our Savior. We hurt Him when we do our own thing with total disregard for the price He paid for us. There is not a sin we have ever committed that He didn’t shed blood to provide forgiveness. This is why we have full confidence that when we ask Him to forgive us- it is done.
This is real forgiveness! It isn’t, “Yes, I forgive you, but I will throw it up to you later.” His forgiveness is, “I forgive you and I forget what you have done. Your slate is completely clean”
Truly this is great to consider. However, there is a condition regarding God’s forgiveness. Note the Scriptures below:
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15).
Really we should see it this way. God forgives us. Since God forgives us, we practice His forgiveness by willingly forgiving others. This is real forgiveness.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 
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