Peter wasn’t being arrogant when he refused to let Jesus wash his feet. It must have been embarrassing to see Jesus doing what he and the others should have already done.

“You have no part with me.” Who could bear to hear those words coming from Christ? Is it any wonder that Peter suddenly changed his tune and said, “Lord, wash all of me.” To hear Jesus say, “You have no portion with me,” would be unbearable for anyone of us.

In all that Peter could claim that he had done with Jesus, he still needed the cleansing touch of Christ. The old hymn asks a question that can’t be ignored: “Are you washed in the blood, in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?” We dare not say to Christ, “You will never wash my filth and shame.” It is better to pray with the Psalmist, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:2)

Do we need to dust off another great hymn? “Thou my everlasting Portion, more than friend or life to me, all along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee.”