Prayer Versus Impulse. Part [8] 05/25/2025 (Morning thought)

John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

[The Desire of Ages pp 644] At a feast it was customary for a servant to wash the feet of the guests, and on this occasion, preparation had been made for the service. The pitcher, the basin, and the towel were there, in readiness for the feet washing. But no servant was present, and it was the disciples’ part to perform it. But each of the disciples, yielding to wounded pride, determined not to act the part of a servant. All manifested a stoical unconcern, seeming unconscious that there was anything for them to do.

By their silence they refused to humble themselves. The disciples made no move toward serving one another. Jesus waited for a time to see what they would do. Then He, the divine Teacher, rose from the table. Laying aside the outer garment that would have impeded His movements, He took a towel, and He girded Himself. With surprised interest the disciples looked on, and in silence waited to see what was to follow.

“After that He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.” This action opened the eyes of the disciples. Bitter shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They understood the unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a new light.

John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.

May The Lord add His blessing to His word. God bless!

Prayer Versus Impulse. Part [7] 05/25/2025 (Evening thought)

John 13:4 He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he pours water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with  the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

[3] Impulsive actions and words drive by remorse or bad feelings. Sometimes, when one feels the sting of conscience in some particular situation, they may say or do things that are not in harmony with God’s will. Some question whether or not devils can read your mind. They cannot, but they are careful observers. Therefore, they do spend a tremendous amount of time studying your pattern of behavior to arrive at correct conclusions as to what you will most likely do in a given situation.

Thus, in all of the examples given on Peter, some of them good, some not so good and some in between we will see the one characteristic surfacing over and over again, that of impulsiveness. Thus, if indeed a person is impulsive by nature, and Christ is not yet formed within, or the person is not in the habit of checking in with God through prayer, it’s just a matter of time before the old devil will trip you up.

A backdrop to Peter’s statement is here needed, for he uttered those words impulsively because of deep remorse. In other words, he was feeling very badly on account of them having to let Jesus do what they should have done. So yes, he was feeling very bad.

John 13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!