Article No. 13 - August 2019
FOOT WASHING
Unfortunately many have either never heard of foot washing (feet washing) or do not believe we need to have a foot washing during our religious services. With this being said, if you visited a congregation that did practice foot washing, you may think they have lost their minds, especially if you have never been taught or read about it in your Bible. It's amazing to me how ministers leave this example of love, humility and servitude out of their sermons. Some of the congregations who do have foot washing do this directly after communion. Jesus washed the disciples feet after their last supper together (The Lord's Supper). Therefore, some congregations come together for Communion and have foot washing after.
Foot washing or as some call it "feet washing" was common in the Old Testament days. Just to list a few, (there are many) read Genesis 18:3-5; 19:2; 19:21; 24:32; 43:24; Judges 19:21; 1 Samuel 25:41. Back in those times, sandals were worn and the feet could get extremely dirty. Therefore, the individual washed their own feet or a servant washed them before entering a home. Looking forward to the New Testament, there are also many scriptures pertaining to washing feet before entering a home. Sandals were still worn and feet could get very dirty. However, see the particular scriptures below pertaining to foot washing, but for a very different purpose as aforementioned.
"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 has 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 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" (John 13:1-7).
Why did Christ wash His disciples' feet? You might say, what a strange thing for Christ to do. Surely the King of kings and Lord of lords would not need to do such a thing. He could have told the disciples to wash His feet. Why would Christ seemingly (in some minds) demean Himself in this manner? Everything Christ did or has done and will do in the future is for a specific purpose, and this was no exception. He simply wanted to make a point and set an example for His church. This was not an arbitrary decision. He knew He would have to leave them very soon and he wanted to teach them about love, humility and servitude. What better way than by example.
One might ask, does Jesus want the church to continue this practise until He returns? Below are the reasons the answer is, YES:
1. Jesus was about to leave His disciples and He wanted to express His love by washing their feet and to let them understand they must show their love, humility and servitude to each other by washing each other's feet. He did this not to teach them how to wash feet but to illustrate a standard or principle to live and walk by. He was teaching them their Christian walk was not about themselves but others.
2. Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment? "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40).
3. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).
If you ever doubted foot washing was just a one-time experience back in the New Testament days, and should not be carried out today, Matthew 28:18-20 proves it was for all nations to observe. All the things He commanded them to do (foot washing included), they were to teach the nations to do. You and I are to observe them today and teach all nations to do the same.
Fay Bouknight
Foot washing or as some call it "feet washing" was common in the Old Testament days. Just to list a few, (there are many) read Genesis 18:3-5; 19:2; 19:21; 24:32; 43:24; Judges 19:21; 1 Samuel 25:41. Back in those times, sandals were worn and the feet could get extremely dirty. Therefore, the individual washed their own feet or a servant washed them before entering a home. Looking forward to the New Testament, there are also many scriptures pertaining to washing feet before entering a home. Sandals were still worn and feet could get very dirty. However, see the particular scriptures below pertaining to foot washing, but for a very different purpose as aforementioned.
"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 has 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 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" (John 13:1-7).
Why did Christ wash His disciples' feet? You might say, what a strange thing for Christ to do. Surely the King of kings and Lord of lords would not need to do such a thing. He could have told the disciples to wash His feet. Why would Christ seemingly (in some minds) demean Himself in this manner? Everything Christ did or has done and will do in the future is for a specific purpose, and this was no exception. He simply wanted to make a point and set an example for His church. This was not an arbitrary decision. He knew He would have to leave them very soon and he wanted to teach them about love, humility and servitude. What better way than by example.
One might ask, does Jesus want the church to continue this practise until He returns? Below are the reasons the answer is, YES:
1. Jesus was about to leave His disciples and He wanted to express His love by washing their feet and to let them understand they must show their love, humility and servitude to each other by washing each other's feet. He did this not to teach them how to wash feet but to illustrate a standard or principle to live and walk by. He was teaching them their Christian walk was not about themselves but others.
2. Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment? "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:36-40).
3. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).
If you ever doubted foot washing was just a one-time experience back in the New Testament days, and should not be carried out today, Matthew 28:18-20 proves it was for all nations to observe. All the things He commanded them to do (foot washing included), they were to teach the nations to do. You and I are to observe them today and teach all nations to do the same.
Fay Bouknight
