Text:           (John 13:7)

By:              Daniel Idogar

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Life often brings us to crossroads where we feel uncertain, overwhelmed, and confused about which path to take.

At such times, God’s presence, wisdom, and guidance become indispensable.

He is the God who specializes in bringing clarity in confusion, direction in uncertainty, and peace in chaos.

In John 13, Jesus had an important lesson to teach his disciples. The context of the chapter takes place one night before His death and although Jesus knew He would be betrayed and disowned by those who walked closest to Him, He still chose to love and serve them.

Because Jesus knew He was close to His death, he began to reveal some divine truths to the disciples.

Before now they had been arguing who would be the greatest in kingdom.

Jesus had to demonstrate to them the way to greatness by washing their feet.

Peter was very confused, and after realizing what Jesus was doing he told Jesus not to wash his feet. In John 13:7, Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Let us learn some valuable lessons from this story. 

Trust Issues

There is a thin line difference between Faith and Trust.

Peter had Faith in Jesus quite alright. But he had trust issues.

• There is a thin line between Faith and trust.
• Peter had trust issues.
• He had Faith in Jesus quite alright.
• But he couldn’t trust what Christ was doing.
• He couldn’t trust the process.
• Trust is connected to the process while faith is connected to the out
• We want to understand everything
• One of the greatest problems of man is the desire to know everything
• And that was what led to the tower of Babel
• Lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6
• What is more important? To understand what God is doing or to trust what God is doing?
• Sometimes, there will be no explanations
• Because the more we understand, the less we trust.
• If you understood what God was doing, there would be no need for a miracle.
• Just trust the process, and in due time you will understand. 

Stay! Don’t leave

When you are in a situation that doesn’t make sense, like Peter, don’t walk out the door.

It takes great courage to stay in a senseless environment. Stay! God might just be telling you something.

Peter was so angry at what Jesus was doing because it was a ridiculous act.

Peter could have walked out the door especially when he asked Jesus what he was about to do, and the answer wasn’t even helpful. But he stayed regardless.

• As strange and ridiculous the action of Jesus was to Peter, he never left.
• Peter waited even when things were not adding up.
• It takes great courage to stay when things are out of line. Psalm 37:7
• Jesus was silent concerning why he was washing the disciples’ feet
• Sometimes, God too may be silent when he is working on us.
• The God-Time is at hand. After this, in due time, you will understand.
• You can only hear him speak when you wait by staying in the presence of God
• Because in the presence of God, you will get the right counsel.
• Someone said: Please keep spiritual friends because God speaks in conversations. Isaiah 30:1-2
• When the situation is tensed and confusing, do not leave.
• In due time, you will understand.

Beware of your declarations

Situations like Peter’s can be very confusing.

Confusion can make you say a lot of nonsense and ask a lot of questions.

• Confusion is a big problem.
• Confusion can make you say a lot of nonsense.
• “You shall never wash my feet”, was the response of Peter to Jesus.
• So audacious and wild.
• Peter was not lucky, Christ actually had mercy on him.
• Whenever you are confused about life’s situations, do not use the word “never”.
• You might not have a second chance like Peter.
• Some of us suffer today from the careless words we said in our time of confusion. Matthew 12:36-37
• Do not downplay the mercy of God and say whatever your mouth feels like spilling out.
• Stop using negative words. Some of us are too negative in nature. Stop it!
• Peter never spoke or said anything when Christ was washing the other apostles feet.
• He must have thought “He better not touch my feet”
• But when Jesus got to him, he said in other words “not in your life will you wash my feet”
• When the heat gets to us, when the wave rises on us that is when you should watch your mouth. 

Conclusion

God is always present at our junctions of confusion, ready to guide, instruct, and bring clarity.

Rather than making hasty decisions or giving in to fear, we must learn to trust in His Word, seek His face in prayer, and wait on His perfect timing.

When God leads, confusion turns into peace, and uncertainty transforms into a testimony of His faithfulness.

Christ taught an important lesson to Apostle Peter and even to us today. When life throws you in strange places where God is silent and you are confused, lean not on your own understanding.

Learn to trust the process. It is your trust that will activate the faith you have in God. Learn to wait on God because he will surely speak.

Do not leave his presence for there you will find good counsel. Do not talk too much, do not ask too much questions. Just be positive and in due time, you will understand.

May God bless us all in Jesus Name – Amen.

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