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Chapter 90 Dark Providences Cleared in Due Time
“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (John 13:1-20)
How many times have you seen or known some terribly painful, traumatic, almost devastating thing, and thought to yourself, “What good can come of this? How is this going to work for good? How will this benefit anyone? Can this be honoring to God?”
We know that our heavenly Father is too wise to err, too strong to fail, and too good to do wrong. Yet, when tragedies come close to home, we cannot help asking, “Why did this thing happen?” We may not openly say it, but we ask in frustration, perhaps in anger or resentment, — “God, what are you doing?”
Here in John 13 God the Holy Spirit has preserved by divine inspiration a word from our dear Savior that should help to prepare for such times. As the Lord Jesus began to wash his disciples’ feet, Peter was confused by the Master’s conduct, and said to him in verse 6, — “Lord, Dost thou wash my feet?” Then, in verse 7, “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
When Jacob awoke from his dream, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not” (Genesis 28:16). When Samson’s strength was gone, we are told, “He wist not that the Lord was departed from him” (Judges 16:20). What is said of our Savior’s presence and absence, his goings and comings, may also be said of his doings. — “What I do,” he says, “thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
Specifically this word from our Savior in John 13:7, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter,” refers to our Lord’s act of washing his disciples’ feet. But it is a statement that is clearly applicable to God’s providence. The design or intention of God’s works of providence are often, if not usually, hidden from his people; but they shall be revealed in due time.
“God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, And works His sovereign will.
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break, In blessing on your head.
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain. God is His own Interpreter; And He will make it plain.” — William Cowper
Immutable Love
First, we see that the love of Christ for us is immutable and incessant. — “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end” (v. 1). The love of Christ for his elect is a love surpassing thought. There is nothing like it in this world below. The narrow, self-centered thoughts, and words, and deeds of humanity cannot comprehend it. Our Savior knew that his disciples would all soon forsake him. Yet, he loved them to the end. His love for us is from everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3). His love for us is for everlasting (Romans 8:39). In matchless, free love the Lord Jesus Christ delights to receive sinners (Luke 15:2). So great, so free, so immutable is the love of Christ for our souls that having embraced us in his arms from everlasting, he will never reject us or cast us away for any reason (John 6:37).
God’s Absolute Dominion
Second, learn this: God’s dominion over all things is absolute. Even the most base, vile, and despicable acts of reprobate men and women are under the absolute rule of our God and heavenly Father (vv. 2-3). Even the work of Satan himself is under the rule and control of our God and Savior (Psalm 76:10; Proverbs 16:4). Yes, our heavenly Father wisely and sovereignly uses his enemies and ours, contrary to their will, to do that which will advance his cause, as when the Philistines were constrained to send the ark of God back to Israel (1 Samuel 5:1-7:17). Ralph Erskine rightly observed…
“He employs the wicked themselves to carry on his work, and make their wicked designs to contribute to advancement of his holy and glorious design; as he did make the treason of Judas, the sentence of Pilate, the malice of the Jews, to contribute for the work of redemption.”
Judas’ Brazen Hypocrisy
Third, nothing in all the world is more corrupt or more callous than the heart of a hypocrite. There sat Judas at the table with the Son of God and his disciples. But he had already struck his deal with the Jew’s priests to betray the Savior (v. 2). What brazen hypocrisy!
Judas stands as a beacon to warn us of what deep corruption may be found in the hearts of very religious people. He shows us how far a man may go in religion and yet be rotten at heart. He shows us how much a person may know about the things of God and yet not know God. He shows us how high one may rise in the eyes of men and in religious office and yet be unconverted. Judas shows us how confident a person may be that he is saved, even when he is on the brink of hell!
We must not be surprised, overwhelmed, or overly disturbed when we find such hypocrites among God’s saints. Not all who are washed in the waters of baptism have been washed in the blood of Christ (v. 10). — “They are not all Israel which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6).
“Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” (John 13:10)
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (2 Peter 1:10)
Blood Washed
Fourth, we are reminded again that we must be washed in the blood of Christ. The only way we can be saved is by being washed in the blood of Christ. The only saved sinner is the blood washed sinner (vv. 8-10).
“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.”
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Oh, precious is the flow That makes me white as snow! No other fount I know — Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
“In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” (Zechariah 13:1)
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1 Peter 1:18-21)
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7-9)
We cannot be saved unless Christ has washed us in his blood (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). We must be washed in the blood judicially. That took place for all God’s elect when the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption and obtained eternal redemption for us at Calvary (Hebrews 1:3). And we must be washed in the Savior’s blood experimentally. That takes place in regeneration and effectual calling, when God the Holy Spirit applies the cleansing blood to our hearts, giving us faith in Christ, purging our consciences of guilt before God, bringing life and immortality to light by the Gospel (Titus 3:5; Hebrews 9:14). Even those who are cleansed and forgiven need a daily application to the blood of Christ for daily pardon. — “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, 9).
Humility Exemplified
Fifth, in this passage of Scripture the Lord Jesus gives us a blessed example of genuine humility and love (vv. 5-17).
“After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
True humility and love willingly condescends to do whatever is needed to meet the needs of those who are the objects of our love. Though it is apparent that our Savior washed Judas’ feet, too, the message is in what he did for his disciples. The Son of God stooped to wash his disciples’ feet, and he still does! When he shows us the foulness of our feet (our sin), and then graciously causes us to dip our feet in the fountain of his blood (Zechariah 13:1), and when he enables us with tears of repentance to wash and kiss his feet (Luke 7:38; Ezekiel 16:63), our dear Savior still washes his disciples’ feet (1 John 1:9; 2:1-2).
The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away!
This self-denying, loving service is our responsibility to one another in this world (vv. 14-15). In all things, Christ’s example is our rule of life (1 John 3:16-17). And all who follow our Lord’s example find happiness and satisfaction in doing so. — “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (v. 17). Nothing brings greater joy to devoted saints than the privilege and grace of obedience to Christ and usefulness to his people.
Providence Cleared
Sixth, all the dark mysteries and painful experiences of God’s providence will be cleared up for God’s saints in God’s time. — “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (v. 7).
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace. Behind the frowning providence, He hides a smiling face!
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain. God is His own Interpreter; And He will make it plain!
Jacob lamented, “All these things are against me!” But before the Lord took him out of this world, the old saint learned better and said, “God fed me all my life long. The Angel of the Lord redeemed me from all evil.” Joseph must have been horribly confused by all his woes. But before he left this world he understood that he was in the place of God. When Moses first came to deliver Israel out of Egypt, the Egyptians only increased their torment. But in the end Israel sang God’s praise for all his goodness, triumphing over Pharaoh at the Red Sea, and thoroughly spoiling the Egyptians. Haman erected gallows for Mordecai; but it was Haman who was hanged upon them, and Mordecai was exalted. How confusing it must have been for Paul to be imprisoned at Philippi; but how he must have rejoiced when he baptized his jailor! The shipwreck that landed them upon the island of Melita, the bitter cold, and the bite of the asp all must have appeared to be acts of divine disfavor; but they were all acts of great mercy, opening the way for the salvation of a barbarian chieftain and many others. Truly, “thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary; thy way is in the seas, thy paths in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known” (Psalm 77:13, 19). — “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep” (Psalm 36:6). — “The works of the Lord are great; sought out of all them that have pleasure therein” (Psalm 111: 2).
Sometimes God’s providence appears to contradict His promises (Exodus 5:21-23). Sometimes God’s acts of mercy and grace in providence look and feel like acts of wrath and judgment. Sometimes God appears to be favorable to the wicked and indifferent, at best, to the righteous (Psalm 73). Many, many things in this world are confusing to God’s people. When God gave Abraham a son, he required Abraham to sacrifice his son. When Moses brought Israel up to Canaan, God refused to let him take Israel in to possess the land. When time came to build the temple, David died. God often lifts up with one hand and casts down with the other; heals with one and wounds with the other. Blessed Holy Spirit, let us at all times understand and rest our souls upon this promise of God our Savior to our souls. — “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
When we think the Lord is doing nothing, he is working for us. When we think he has forsaken us, he is with us still. When we think everything is against us, everything is loaded down with mercy for us. Our Lord will not let us walk by sight here. He demands and deserves that we walk by faith. “What I do now thou knowest not; but thou shalt know hereafter.” In due time, he will inform us.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
Often I wonder why I must journey Over a road so rugged and steep. Why all the darkness? Why all the heartache? Why must Your chosen so often weep? Farther along we’ll know more about it. Farther along we’ll understand why; Cheer up, believer, trust your great Savior. — We’ll understand it all by and by.
Amen.
Don Fortner
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