We Are Clean...

I was reading the passage today for our life journals and it was John 13. I noticed something in this chapter that I had never paid much attention to. Jesus is washing his disciples' feet and He speaks these words while teaching them, "And you are clean, but not every one of you.” (vs. 10.) He is referring here to Judas who will soon betray Him. And this one point stuck out at me. A few verses later, Jesus will predict Peter's denial of Him. Yet you have here, Jesus knowing what both men (Peter and Judas) will do to Him, but He calls Peter clean and Judas not. And this is what I know. Jesus saw their hearts, and knew that Peter had a pure heart, a heart that wanted to seek Jesus, but at times was weak or ill-hearted. But Judas was doing everything out of bad intentions. He had no desire to pursue Christ, only to take advantage of the situation. I know I have a pure heart in my desires to pursue Christ, and I must just learn how to cling to that fact. I will falter at times, and I will deny Christ at times, as Peter did. But I am following Him with a heart that longs to only bring Him glory, and that is what separates me from Judas. That is what separates Judas and Peter, the heart. And Jesus can see straight through ours and He knows who is sold out to Him. Jesus, may You strengthen me, and will you help me in those times when I falter to see that Your blood has made me clean, even in that moment. And may I live in that grace afforded to me, and out of that, give you glory in all that I do. Amen.