The Lord in the Midst
The foot washing episode by Jesus symbolized the end of the old covenant and the establishment of the new covenant, where believers are in true fellowship with God and with each other.
G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the foot washing by Jesus as a pivotal moment transitioning from the old covenant of Israel to the new covenant of redemption. This act symbolized the end of the traditional Passover and the establishment of a new meal of fellowship with Christ at its center. The disciples, as the first priests of this new order, experienced true communion with the Lord, which represented complete reconciliation and regeneration into God's family. This moment marked the beginning of a lasting communion for the Church, where every believer is a priest in relationship with God and one another. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' presence in our midst as we partake in this new covenant.
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Bearing all this in mind, perhaps we can furnish a reason for the foot washing episode described by John. It certainly was an outstanding action by the Lord. He knelt and washed His disciples' feet at the time they were passing from the old, typical redemption of Israel to the new, present, actual and eternal redemption of God's people. The Lord was deliberately intending to end the repetitious Passover and the annual attestation to their priesthood it implied.
No longer was their meal to consist of slain lamb and herbs of bitterness eaten behind doorways sprinkled with blood within, and under which Jehovah their almighty Saviour stood for their protection.
Instead the meal which was established only in unleavened bread and a cup of wine was eaten with and in the presence of the Lord who was in the midst. They saw the Lord, heard Him and handled Him and He saw and heard and handled them; they were in true fellowship and were proclaiming that fact. They were the first priests of the new order; seeing what He did and doing it as He said they bore testimony to permanent, personal redemption.
Their act symbolised complete reconciliation to God for the purpose of regeneration into His communion, in which every man is a priest communing with his God and with his fellow-priests, one glorious family, nation, temple, body. So it was that the Lord brought in and established in symbols the real communion for His Church for the rest of time.
Sermon Outline
- The Foot Washing Episode
- A New Redemption
- The End of the Old Covenant
- The Establishment of the New Covenant
Key Quotes
“The Lord was deliberately intending to end the repetitious Passover and the annual attestation to their priesthood it implied.” — G.W. North
“They were the first priests of the new order; seeing what He did and doing it as He said they bore testimony to permanent, personal redemption.” — G.W. North
“Their act symbolised complete reconciliation to God for the purpose of regeneration into His communion, in which every man is a priest communing with his God and with his fellow-priests, one glorious family, nation, temple, body.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- As believers, we are called to live in true fellowship with God and with each other, just like the disciples who were washed by Jesus.
- The foot washing episode reminds us that we are all priests in the new covenant, called to commune with God and with our fellow believers.
- The new covenant brings about complete reconciliation to God, allowing us to experience regeneration and live in His presence.