Day 5: Thursday, March 12

And before the festival of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that His hour had come that He should pass on out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, loved them to the end. And supper having come to pass, the Devil having already cast into the heart of Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Him; Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came forth from God and was going to God, rises from supper, and puts aside His garments, and taking a linen cloth, girded Himself. Then He pours water into the washbasin, and He began to wash the feet of the disciples, and to wipe them with the linen cloth with which He was girded. Then He comes to Simon Peter, who says to Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know after these things. Peter says to Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, Unless I wash thee, thou hast no part with Me. Simon Peter says to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. John 13:1-9

“To wash” means spiritual washing, which is to cleanse from evils. “Washing the head and the hands” means to cleanse the internal man; and “washing the feet” means to cleanse the external man. That when the internal man has been cleansed the external must be cleansed is meant by this, “He who has bathed has no other need than to wash his feet.” That all cleansing from evils is from the Lord is meant by this, “Unless I wash thee, thou hast no part with Me.” Divine Providence 151:2

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