John 13:8 English Standard Version (ESV) 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.”

Share here is meros, meaning one constituent part of a whole. We are one constituent part of the whole body of Christ. This we should do to be part of this shared experience.

John 13:14 English Standard Version (ESV)  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

The symbolism is forgiveness of sin. We tread the earth and the dust thereof clings to our feet. It is inevitable and unavoidable.

1 John 1:8 English Standard Version (ESV) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

As this is meant to be a shared experience, and we are to forgive each other our sins, then this example set forth by Jesus is a description of the method to be used.

Jesus took the position of the servant, to serve another. In the knelling position He would be looking up into their faces, their countenance. That is a position of humility.

How often do we confess our sin to another? To whom do we confess?

I cannot speak for another person and can only comment upon my own experience. My answer is not enough. I have two accountability partners who I trust and respect enough to share my troubled conscience. Our good conscience should tell us when we need forgiveness.

What we look for in a forgiveness partner is one who will not look down on us because we need to confess a sin.

Galatians 6:1 English Standard Version (ESV)

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

If we take our conviction of conscience to our brother confessor perhaps we can avoid being “caught” in a transgression. Being caught is a public spectacle whereas conviction of conscience is private.