Today we learn a humbling lesson from Jesus and Peter. This made such an impact on my life and the Lord keeps it top of my mind.

we’re diving into John 13:1-20, where Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. I won’t read the entire passage, but I do want to focus on verses 6-9 from the English Standard Version. If you’re following along, I encourage you to grab your Bible, regardless of the translation you have and soak in the richness of this scripture.

John 13:6-9

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

I love this passage for so many reasons. It reveals a profound truth about how we can be unkind and disrespectful when we refuse to accept generosity, whether that’s the generosity of Jesus’s sacrifice or the kindness of someone around us. I’m sharing this as someone who has struggled immensely with accepting generosity myself.

Recently, I listened to a podcast where the host discussed how she distanced herself from friends and family because she felt guilty that her life was going well while others were struggling. When things started to fall apart, she realized that her inability to accept help had created distance. She was giving to others but wouldn’t allow them to support her. This made her generosity feel stale to them.

I didn’t like it

At first, this idea rubbed me the wrong way. It made me uncomfortable. But then I realized it’s true. We are meant to give and receive. If we weren’t, Jesus wouldn’t have sacrificed Himself for us, right?

Let’s dig deeper into the idea of accepting generosity. Peter thought he was being respectful when he refused to let Jesus wash his feet. In his mind, he was honoring Jesus because he considered himself unworthy. But Jesus’s response was powerful: “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” This statement highlights the arrogance in Peter’s rejection.

Peter Refused

Peter’s refusal, in essence, said, “I know better than you.” Imagine looking at God and saying, “No, you’re wrong.” Wow. That realization hit me hard. I’ve wrestled with my own arrogance, especially when I think I can do things better than God.

For the past six months, I’ve been in a season of surrender, letting go of control in my business, relationships, and my day-to-day life. I’ve had to confront my tendency to argue with God about His plans for me. The reality is, pride and arrogance often lie at the core of our struggles.

Beauty in Scripture

The beauty of this scripture is that Jesus called Peter out, but Peter didn’t argue for long. He quickly responded, “Not just my feet, but also my hands and my head!” Peter wanted to maintain his relationship with Jesus, even if it meant humbling himself.

That’s the energy I aspire to have. I still struggle with accepting help from others, often feeling guilty or unworthy. I remember a time when my best friend sent me laundry detergent during a rough patch. I was overwhelmed with life’s demands, and she acted out of kindness without telling me. When I received it, I had such a hard time accepting her generosity.

I remember telling her I wanted to pay her back, that I felt guilty for receiving. She was hurt by my response, and it made me realize how much my trauma had affected my ability to accept kindness. I was projecting my past experiences onto her, believing she had ulterior motives.

Accepting Generosity Matters

This passage reminds me that it’s crucial to accept generosity with an open heart. If I struggle to receive something as simple as laundry detergent, how can I accept the incredible gift of Jesus’s love and sacrifice?

Accepting generosity can be particularly difficult for those of us who have faced trauma. It’s easy to feel skepticism when you’ve been hurt in the past. But we need to remember that God’s generosity is pure and free of ulterior motives.

I want to encourage anyone who relates to this struggle: it’s worth working on. God desires for us to accept His gifts and the kindness of others. If you’re feeling convicted by this, know that it’s not meant to be a reprimand; it’s a gentle nudge from Jesus saying, “I love you. You are worthy of this gift.”

So, let’s pray together:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to share these thoughts. Thank you for the gift of Your Son, who died for us. Help us to be more like Peter, responding quickly to Your calls. Help us to accept generosity, both from You and those around us. Remind us that generosity is given out of love, without strings attached. For anyone struggling to accept kindness, may they feel Your presence and understand Your goodness. Thank you for all that You do, and help us to live with open hearts, ready to give and receive. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Generosity starts in the heart before it ever shows up in your hands.

My Free Prayer Journal gives you space to ask God where He’s calling you to give, reflect on His provision, and grow in a lifestyle of openhanded faith.

Download it here and start giving from a place of grace