◄ Wash Me Daily - Study in Prayer (6) ►

STUDY in PRAYER

Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Hebrews 4:16

A Bended Heart

Intercession begins on bended heart and yet it reaches to the throne of God, and a clean heart of humility is the inner garment every intercessor must wear. The ministry of intercession probes into God’s desires; God’s will; God’s purpose. The man or woman of prayer has God’s interest as their sole and sublime concern. The intercessor has a servant heart that looks away from self to the purpose of God.

A Prayer Ministry

Intercession often starts with praying for the souls of men – those dead in trespasses and sins. Intercession frequently progresses with prayer for the problems of all the saints of God. It often rises higher still, as it intercedes and pleads for the maturing of Christ’s Body. It pinnacles when praying into the Spirit-revealed, divine plan and purpose of God. When we engage in intercession, we participate in Christ’s high priestly ministry – what a glorious privilege – what a humbling reality – what an astonishing fact.

A Heavenly Ministry

Jesus, our great high priest is even now ever living to make intercession for us. Christ Himself is praying for the fulfilment of God’s plans in each of our lives, indeed our Lord Jesus Christ is even now praying for us – interceding for US!!! – and we have been called as priests, to participate with Christ in His high office: for we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,  people for His possession. 1 Peter 2:9

Old Testament Example

Christians are a chosen priesthood, to work in union with Jesus. our great High Priest, but like the Old Testament priests we also need to have clean lives and a pure heart. We are commanded to be holy for I am holy. 1Pet.1:16 We are called out to be perfect: for I the Lord am perfect..Matt.5:48

New Testament Truth

Very often we find that Old Testament stories often typify New Testament truths. Happenings in the physical realm often pictures the spiritual walk of believers today. The ministry of the Aaronic priesthood is one such beautiful example:

Washing and Cleansing

In the Old Testament the priests initially needed a once only – full body wash. This initial cleansing meant that they could fully function in the priesthood. Thereafter they washed hands and feet daily to maintain purity before God – and Christ used this Old Testament example to a explain New Testament truth.

Christ’s Example

On the night that Christ was betrayed He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist and pouring water into a basin, He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him. John 13:4ff

Peter’s Protest

Peter started to argue with Jesus, and protested, “You will never wash my feet,” But Jesus answered him…”If I WASH thee not, thou hast no part with me.” – note that the word used for wash is the Greek language is nipto If I NIPTO thee not, thou hast no part with me.

‘Nipto’ and ‘Louo’

Jesus continued… “He that is WASHED needs not save to WASH his feet but is completely clean.” – note that there are two different Greek words for the word wash – nipto and louo. He that is washed (LOUO) needs only to wash (NIPTO) his feet, to be fully clean. Then Christ concludes, “if I wash thee not thou has no part with Me – no fellowship with Me.”

2 Verbs for Wash

Why did Christ deliberately use two different verbs for the word WASH. The Greek word ‘louo’ means a full cleansing – like a full priestly cleansing,
The Greek word ‘nipto’ means a partial, ongoing wash – like a priests’ daily wash – and the two words refer to initial-salvation and ongoing-sanctification. Jesus was here explaining that Peter was saved… he had been washed – (LOUO) – but Peter needed to have his feet washed! Peter needed daily cleansing… ongoing washing – (NIPTO)

Peter’s Washing

Peter, like us was saved, because He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. He was washed and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb – He was LOUO. Peter was washed wholly once, (like the Priests of the OT) simply by believing, but Peter needed to be washed daily – for he is one of the kingdom of priests.

Daily Cleansing

This daily wash is accomplished by confession of sins – be holy for I am holy. This daily wash is confession of sins to the Father and walking in spirit and truth. This daily ‘nipto’ – maintains fellowship with God and access to His throne of grace.

Continuous Cleansing

Intercession begins on bended heart and yet it reaches to the throne of God, but intercessors need a cleansed, humble heart to come boldly to the throne of grace. Intercessors like all believers need continuous cleansing as we walk through life. We all need to maintain fellowship with Him by ongoing cleansing – a daily nipto.. and the apostle John explains how believers can remain in communion with God: If we make it our habit to confess our sins to the Father, He is faithful and just to forgives us for those sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Servant Heart

The ministry of intercession probes into God’s desires; God’s will; God’s purpose. The man or woman of prayer has God’s interest as their sole and sublime concern. The intercessor has a servant-heart that looks away from self to the purpose of God, The intercessor is cleansed daily from all unrighteousness.