John chapter 13 records an important event in the life of Jesus. In the moments leading up to His death on the cross, Jesus took time to teach His disciples some final lessons.

“[Jesus] 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. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are you washing my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’” (John 13:4-8)

Included in Jesus’ reply to Peter is the concept of conditional salvation. Having part with Jesus is conditional upon us letting Him perform a service. “Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father” (John 13:1). Departing from this world, for Jesus, meant pain and anguish on the cross. This He did in service to the world. He looked out for the interests of others (cf. Philippians 2:4) by “[humbling] Himself and [becoming] obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8). In His death, “the grace of God that brings salvation…appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). However, that grace is taught as being conditional in the unabridged scripture.

Peter could have decided to refuse the Lord’s service. If this had been his decision, he would have had no part with Jesus. This principle is true to salvation, and is one that the Lord was emphasizing. Yes, Jesus came to save people from their sins (cf. Matthew 1:21). However, man must let Him do so.

While Jesus’ work was finished on the cross (cf. John 19:30), the part man plays in his own salvation was not yet finished. Jesus performed a service on the cross, but man must come to Him and accept that service. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Elsewhere Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus remains standing at every man’s door with the service of the washing away of sins, but man must open the door to let Him in.

In order to fully allow Jesus’ service to take effect in our lives we must become obedient to the gospel. By inspiration, Peter explained that saints are “redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). In the same context he wrote, “you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God” (1 Peter 1:22-23). Jesus taught the same when He told Nicodemus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). And again to His disciples, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Paul wrote to the church in Colosse, “[you were] buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). Contrary to the world’s accusation against those who teach baptism as a requirement, it is not a work of merit performed by man, but a service for man performed by God. Through it we are saved by God (cf. 1 Peter 3:21)!

We must remember the words of our Lord spoken to Peter – “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). Will you allow Jesus to serve you by washing away your sins?