Washing one another's feet

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Pamella

Senior Member
Sep 10, 2014
118
2
18
'So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
"You call me teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
"For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

So what do you think this means for us today? ( well the same things as then exept for the actual washing of feet)
 
Pamella said:
'So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
"You call me teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
"For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

So what do you think this means for us today? ( well the same things as then exept for the actual washing of feet)
Click to expand...

The lesson is not about washing feet. It is about our willingness to serve one another in whatever form that service takes.
 
it means humble yourself...way too many people exalt themselves and their position if they have one

we don't wait for God to humble us...this happens to some people and they don't know what hit them

God resists the proud...now I know you would not think that just reading some of the posts here...these people have lost sight of the truth and they rip into each other and exalt their own opinions

so like oldhermit said...it's really simple
 
ember said:
God resists the proud...now I know you would not think that just reading some of the posts here...these people have lost sight of the truth and they rip into each other and exalt their own opinions
Click to expand...

i was hoping it wasn't hypocritical of me to 'like' your post (and i do like it!)

because in all likelihood, you're talking about me.
 
I think the job of foot washer was given to the lowest servant in the house.
It was a sign of hospitality to make guests feel welcome, to not wash
someone's feet would have been a sign of disrespect - or that they weren't really welcome.
A bit like us inviting someone to the house, but not really wanting them there.

Hence when the woman washed Jesus' feet with her hair and cried tears. Jesus
said the following.

Luke 7:44 NKJV
[44] Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I
entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed
My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.



I remember hearing a sermon in which the speaker suggests that the roads
probably weren't that great and anyone walking about all day would have feet
covered in dust, sweat, dung, mud etc. Possibly blistered, bunions and so
the job of foot washer would have been rather unpleasant.

But the foot washer would have been carrying out a great service and providing
great comfort to the guests.


In our worship team a few years back, we tried a bit of an experiment where we
had to wash each other's feet! It was strange but interesting all at the same time.

Many of us felt embarrassed at having our feet washed by another, it was so humbling
to the person who was getting washed. I felt like saying "no you don't have to do that"


But then when you were the washer, that was interesting as you wanted to do a good job and
not tickle the person and do it properly.

Try it! You will be surprised at the feelings you get.

It taught us humility, to do a good job of helping others etc. Also helped us to see how hard
it must have been for the disciples to have their feet washed by Jesus, how humbling that
must have been! But Jesus did come to be a servant and if it was good enough for Jesus
then it should be good enough for us.
 
I believe it means do to others as Jesus has done for us... Not as they do for us.. Love means do even if they don't... Jesus washes us when we are dirty.. We should treat others the same way.. Wether we think they deserve or not
 
notmyown said:
i was hoping it wasn't hypocritical of me to 'like' your post (and i do like it!)

because in all likelihood, you're talking about me.
Click to expand...


LOL!...say what?

I found this post of yours in the spill the beans thread where I just posted yet another crazy Siberian photo montage


Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light. (Ps 36:5-9)


I need this scripture this am

see? it's all good!
 
I think we wash each others feet when we speak the word of Jesus and what He has done for us over others lives. His word cleans our walk in this life as we speak of Him to each other.
 
Last edited:
Grace777x70 said:
I think we wash each others feet when we speak the word of Jesus and what He has done for us over others lives. His word cleans our walk in this life as we speak of Him to each other.
Click to expand...


It does mention washing by the word in the bible:-

Ephesians 5:25-26 NKJV
[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
gave Himself for her, [26] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the
washing of water by the word,


But I think the foot washing has a different meaning. :)
 
What Jesus is saying is we are NOT to exalt ourselves above others!

Too many so called Christians today want to be in the lime light basking in all the Glory!

We need to humble ourselves and be ready to serve, not be served like most desire!
 
Grace777x70 said:
I think we wash each others feet when we speak the word of Jesus and what He has done for us over others lives. His word cleans our walk in this life as we speak of Him to each other.
Click to expand...


Close enough...perhaps you are thinking of this?

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[SUP]a[/SUP] so that it will be even more fruitful.3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15

and now I think of

Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you

and so on :)
 
To wash someone's feet = To serve them with a humble heart (preaching the word of God to them may be included here).
 
Miri said:
It does mention washing by the word in the bible:-

Ephesians 5:25-26 NKJV
[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and
gave Himself for her, [26] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the
washing of water by the word,


But I think the foot washing has a different meaning. :)
Click to expand...

You could be right. It most likely has multiple meanings in it. I agree with it's many applications that have been put forth so far

I find I can read the same scriptures 100's of times and then one day the Holy Spirit illuminates something in it and I say to myself "Why didn't I see that in there before?" Revelation from the Holy Spirit is like that. Some scripture has so many layers of meaning it seems.

I believe that we are just as dependent on the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us in the scriptures as Mary was dependent on the Holy Spirit to conceive Jesus in her womb.
 
Philippians 2:3 KJVS
[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

...in word and DEED.
 
Hi my two cents..

The washing of feet or the healing of feet represents bringing the gospel .In effect Christ said: If I do not wash your feet you do not have any confirmation of the gospel.. you have no part with me.

Feet are used to indicate the work of God. It indicates we are worshiping Him and not the feet that need the “water of the word” as one person referred to as an example..

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!


In that way in various parables we can see the doctrine being developed.it was not just a good tradition of men used to sooth one pain, as a creature comfort..

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and “comfort ye your hearts”; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. Gen 18:4

There I believe we can see the washing of feet to indicate the gospel with the morsel of bread to represent the word of God, our comfort to indicate the gospel in the Old testament.

Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

There feet and holy ground are used to indicate the good soil the word of God in which the seed fell on.

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Exo 4:24

In that case according to that parable which is historically true at the same time we see the meaning of circumcision in respect to Christ, our bloody husband in effect pouring out his blood on Moses feet, the gospel of his salvation.

1Sa 2:9 He will keep the “feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

There the gospel is shown as that which keeps us in Christ.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

There again He refers to feet as brining the gospel to prove to the un believer he does love us.
 
Pamella said:
'So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
"You call me teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.
"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
"For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

So what do you think this means for us today? ( well the same things as then exept for the actual washing of feet)
Click to expand...

The meaning of this is actually simple. Serve one another, take the role of helping each other in the simple things which seem demeaning but important. As leaders it is in showing status does not matter, because what we do does not define our importance, but in seeing a need and helping even when this appears to mean you are less important.

In a church setting this came out in cooking food for a group. Cooking food was seen a less important than teaching or preaching, yet it actually fed people and kept them going. As a parent you feed, cloth, love and help build your kids, yet it is easily dismissed though it lays the future for their progress, it is all part of the ministry we have in life.
 
garee said:
Hi my two cents..

The washing of feet or the healing of feet represents bringing the gospel .In effect Christ said: If I do not wash your feet you do not have any confirmation of the gospel.. you have no part with me.

Feet are used to indicate the work of God. It indicates we are worshiping Him and not the feet that need the “water of the word” as one person referred to as an example..

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!


In that way in various parables we can see the doctrine being developed.it was not just a good tradition of men used to sooth one pain, as a creature comfort..

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and “comfort ye your hearts”; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. Gen 18:4

There I believe we can see the washing of feet to indicate the gospel with the morsel of bread to represent the word of God, our comfort to indicate the gospel in the Old testament.

Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

There feet and holy ground are used to indicate the good soil the word of God in which the seed fell on.

And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Exo 4:24

In that case according to that parable which is historically true at the same time we see the meaning of circumcision in respect to Christ, our bloody husband in effect pouring out his blood on Moses feet, the gospel of his salvation.

1Sa 2:9 He will keep the “feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

There the gospel is shown as that which keeps us in Christ.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

There again He refers to feet as brining the gospel to prove to the un believer he does love us.
Click to expand...


now this makes me think of the following:

How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

I think you have some good insight here and lots to think about!

Great post!
 
Our feet are to be shod with the gospel,of peace....perhaps when we wash other people's feet we become peacemakers? And when we allow others to do it we accept their peace offering and blessings.
 
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