Foot washing..........Is it a command?

[ForestGreenCook]

16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

What is important the act or the lesson?

I would say the act, if it is a commandment of God'

 

[ForestGreenCook]

I think it doesn't matter when or where, just that our hearts are intent on serving. I believe He was washing His point home about service and humility more than specifically washing feet. He showed that a true servant of God is willing, even eager to care for. I just see that some see it as a command and so I am curious if those that do, do this. I think it could present some awkward moments, lol. Would you feel comfortable having your feet washed by a brother? Those were all good examples.

I am a deacon in a church that includes washing each others feet along with the other commandments of taking of the wine, and the bread. In our congregations, the women wash each others feet, and likewise, the men wash eachers feet. Washing of each others feet is a very sobering and uplifting experience.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

And actually we are to love others as ourselves but consider others more important and I think washing feet exemplifies that well. Yes, an example of service. That our Lord and Savior humbled Himself to serve us, no greater act of selfless love than Him.

I do not always serve as I should but when I look to His example, I am inspired to do better.

I differ with your interpretation of the foot washing commandment. Jesus's commandment to wash each others feet is not because of the dirt on them, but the humbling of yourselves and remembering how Jesus also serves us as we serve him. the feet washing is just as important a commandment as the taking of the wine, representing his blood, and the bread representing his body. You are missing a very sobering and uplifting experience by omitting it.

 

[azamzimtoti]

No - Jesus was using the foot washing example as a lesson of serving one another. He wasn't saying that his followers go around washing each others feet.

(John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.)

What did Jesus "as I have done to you" mean? He served them.

The foot washing example should be understood in light of what Jesus said in Matthew's gospel:

(Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them)

(Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister)

(Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant)

(Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many)

 

[JamOn]

I am a deacon in a church that includes washing each others feet along with the other commandments of taking of the wine, and the bread. In our congregations, the women wash each others feet, and likewise, the men wash eachers feet. Washing of each others feet is a very sobering and uplifting experience.

Just curious does your church do any feet washing outside the church as a group or individually?

 

[Marcelo]

Many churches today use Jesus' example of washing His disciples feet as a church ordinance, saying that it is a commandment of God. It wasn't uncommon for early Christians to wash a guests feet at their home as an act of hospitality and during church it was done by the humblest of servants with sincere humility. Is it a commandment? Should a church have it as part of their church ordinance? Most church leaders who practice foot-washing, point to the passage in John 13:1-16 as proof that our Lord and Savior was giving us a command. As we study scripture we can't take what is being said out of context and be mindful of the culture in those times. In the book of John chapter 13, we have to recognize the emphasis on the person's inner character or heart and not so much the physical aspect of what the verse is saying.

John 13:4-7 After supper Jesus began to wash His disciples feet, "he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet..." Jesus is teaching them humility and servant leadership. Then in verse 7, "what I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." Jesus explains their not going to understand right away, but He is setting an example for them to follow: Charitable deeds and acts of humility are duties that all Christians should follow.

Luke 22:24-27 "and there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. But he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." The disciples were in a kind of debate with each other about their respective positions in the coming Kingdom. Jesus, upon hearing them argue, set an example of servitude and leadership.

1 Timothy 5:10 "well reported of for good works...if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints feet..." Studying the context, this is simply some qualifications for a widow in helping the church. Having "good works", such as showing humility or hospitality in washing the "saints feet" is a qualification widows must have if their wanting to help the church.

Luke 7:44 Jesus said to Simon, "see this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head." The woman must have felt genuine gratitude and a tremendous amount of humbleness in seeing our Lord Jesus.

1 Samuel 25:41 "Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord." Here, David sends his servants to Abigail, a woman he wants to marry. Abigail offers her handmaids to wash their feet as a form of hospitality and gratitude.

Genesis 18:4 Abraham was greeted by three angels. Notice that he did not wash their feet, but allowed water to be brought so they may wash their own feet.

Final thoughts
It was common practice in ancient times for the household servants to wash the feet of guests. Due to people wearing sandals and the combination of the mud and dirt on the roads people traveled, it was a continuous problem. When Jesus washed the disciples feet, He was teaching that those who lead must also serve, being humble and gracious. The feet are always apt to contract some dirt or dust, just as we are always apt to sin, so the foulness of the feet when the rest is clean symbolizes our earthly faults. As Christians we are to spiritually cleanse daily through prayer, kindness, or other forms of servitude. Foot washing is an act of servitude, but there are many forms of servitude that can be practiced everyday by Christians.

The Lord Jesus did indeed teach his disciples to literally (physically) wash one another's feet because that was the law of Moses, which was still in force. That ritual had a spiritual meaning that the disciples would later understand, but Jesus really wanted them to perform the ritual.

The Lord -- while on earth -- always taught obedience to the Law: He told his disciples to obey the scribes and Pharisees; to offer sacrifices; etc ; and to literally wash one another's feet: (John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet).

After the cross God started revealing a new covenant which would free Christians from the law of Moses. Today we don't have to literally wash one another's feet, but the spiritual meaning lasts forever.

To wash one another's feet today, I.M.O., means to help one another keep clean before God. Of course it is Jesus blood that cleanses us, but much can be done on our part like, for example, sincerely praying for one another.

 

[CharliRenee]

I would say the act, if it is a commandment of God'

I would say the act should always come from a heart to serve Him, thus serving others is our calling. He tells us that He commands us to believe and to love our brothers. He then shares what love is...to lay our lives down for our brothers. His washing the feet was such a beautiful example to follow.

It, for me, is a heart matter/condition that I think He is addressing. We should ask ourselves are we seeking ways in which we can bring glory to God through loving, humbly serving, laying down our needs and wants, to take tender care of that which belongs to Him.

With that said, I lean on 2 Corinthians 9:8 because He knows darn good and well none of us walk in love all the time. He assures us though that with Him all things are possible.

Lord, please forgive me when there is too much me in my faith, help us all to not only serve you but to do so with a cheerful heart and sincere motives.

 

[CharliRenee]

The Lord Jesus did indeed teach his disciples to literally (physically) wash one another's feet because that was the law of Moses, which was still in force. That ritual had a spiritual meaning that the disciples would later understand, but Jesus really wanted them to perform the ritual.

The Lord -- while on earth -- always taught obedience to the Law: He told his disciples to obey the scribes and Pharisees; to offer sacrifices; etc ; and to literally wash one another's feet: (John 13:14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet).

After the cross God started revealing a new covenant which would free Christians from the law of Moses. Today we don't have to literally wash one another's feet, but the spiritual meaning lasts forever.

To wash one another's feet today, I.M.O., means to help one another keep clean before God. Of course it is Jesus blood that cleanses us, but much can be done on our part like, for example, sincerely praying for one another.

Very thought provoking, never considered it meaning help one another keep clean before God.

 

[oldethennew]

for hub and myself, ever since our 'conversion', we have been led to observe Passover',
which involves 'foot-washing' - Jesus is our Example, and we are to follow Him...
we are so very grateful every year at this time, for this is such a reminder of
'deliverance, serving, obedience, and humility for understanding His most
Holy-Blood-Sacrifice...

 

[CharliRenee]

So do all who do this, do it at their church, I wonder, or just randomly when you feel led? I find this fascinating. I honestly did not know churches do this for one another. Do they schedule or do it monthly, like perhaps with communion?

 

[oldethennew]

some churches that we have come into contact with over many, many years do this on a weekly/monthly/yearly basis -
and some go by the Hebrew calendar and do it 'every Passover, as we do'...there are many variations of this custom,
as there are a myriad of 'denominations...
and so, this brings each of us who claim to LOVE our SAVIOUR asking ourselves, at some time,
'What should we do' according to The 'Word',
and then,
how do we truly follow our hearts in our Love for our precious Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ???

your Faith will always bring Hope into the equation...

 

[7seasrekeyed]

no

it is not a command

who did Jesus command to wash His feet? no one. it was a custom for people to wash or have their feet washed because of the sandals they were...dust roads...dusty feet

so it was not unusual for a woman to wash Jesus feet...what she did was what was unusual and Jesus said that she would be remembered and here we are today

I once was a part of a group where they did this (once) and I did participate and I it was very moving. the pastor said he had felt that the Holy Spirit had moved him to do it and I think he was right

but no

not a command

 

[Nehemiah6]

Is it a commandment? Should a church have it as part of their church ordinance?

Many churches practice foot-washing, but we do not see this practice discussed in Acts or the epistles. So it may not have become a church ordinance. The practice represents inner humility.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

Just curious does your church do any feet washing outside the church as a group or individually?

No.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

Many churches practice foot-washing, but we do not see this practice discussed in Acts or the epistles. So it may not have become a church ordinance. The practice represents inner humility.

And because it is not recorded makes it not so, is that what you are implying? Even though it is a commandment.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

no

it is not a command

who did Jesus command to wash His feet? no one. it was a custom for people to wash or have their feet washed because of the sandals they were...dust roads...dusty feet

so it was not unusual for a woman to wash Jesus feet...what she did was what was unusual and Jesus said that she would be remembered and here we are today

I once was a part of a group where they did this (once) and I did participate and I it was very moving. the pastor said he had felt that the Holy Spirit had moved him to do it and I think he was right

but no

not a command

If it is not a command, how do you interpret John 13:14?

 

[ForestGreenCook]

no

it is not a command

who did Jesus command to wash His feet? no one. it was a custom for people to wash or have their feet washed because of the sandals they were...dust roads...dusty feet

so it was not unusual for a woman to wash Jesus feet...what she did was what was unusual and Jesus said that she would be remembered and here we are today

I once was a part of a group where they did this (once) and I did participate and I it was very moving. the pastor said he had felt that the Holy Spirit had moved him to do it and I think he was right

but no

not a command

I guess he commanded Peter, saying, if I don't wash your feet, you have no part with me.

 

[tourist]

John 13:14-15 sounds like a commandment. Should we take a chance that it is not a commandment, and not wash each others feet when we meet together, the same as taking of the wine and bread?

The estimation of Roughsoul1991 post #2 is right on target. It is not the physical act that is important but the meaning behind it.

 

[garee]

The washing of the beautiful feet represent the planting of the incorruptible spiritual seed of the word of God sent as messengers of God apostles. . its represent the work of the gospel . Jesus said to Peter if he not wash our feet we have no fellowship with him.

 

[azamzimtoti]

The Lord Jesus did indeed teach his disciples to literally (physically) wash one another's feet because that was the law of Moses,.

Book, chapter and verse would be helpful.