“Many interpreters consider
Christ's washing his disciples' feet as a representation of his whole
undertaking. He knew that he was equal with God, and all things were his; and
yet he rose from his table in glory, laid aside his robes of light, girded
himself with our nature, took upon him the form of a servant, came not to be
ministered to, but to minister, poured out his blood, poured out his soul unto
death, and thereby prepared a laver to wash us from our sins”…Matthew
Henry
When I first entered the
ministry, I was taught that the literal washing of feet was necessary if I was
to be in full obedience with the order of the church. After looking into the
subject in depth, to my surprise I found that there seemed to be a lack of
written information, both biblical and historical, on this topic.
Among Baptists as well as
other denominational churches that perform this rite, it seems that John
chapter thirteen is used exclusively to build the entire foundation as to the
reason it should be carried out in a literal sense. If we are to allow this one
and might I say only, scripture to guide us in this direction, must we not
consider the multitudes of other scriptures in which Christ teaches us to
follow his example? We must ask ourselves; are we to follow each one in a
literal fashion?
Putting all this aside, we
find, if studied closely, that Christ is not actually directing us to perform
this as a literal application but rather is teaching by His actions, a wonderful
exampled lesson in humility. Usually those who “wash feet” present it indeed
to be a literal commandment of Jesus Christ, treating it as if it were a third
ordinance given to the church. Then, there are others who perform it simply due
to its traditional value.
A.H. Newman, writes in “A Manual of Church History”, published in 1933.
Both baptism and communion
are mentioned multiple times throughout the New Testament scriptures. Both are
recorded in all four gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles. Apostle Paul mentions Baptism in many of his
epistles. He also stresses the proper and correct manner in which we are to
serve and receive communion. We find this stated in no uncertain terms in his
letter to the church at Corinth. By this we understand that these are indeed
ordinances that are to be recognized by Christ’s church, and are to be carried
out, according to the scriptures. On the other hand, foot washing, while
considered by many as a literal commandment, is mentioned only once in the New
Testament (John 13).
For us to better understand
what was done the night that Jesus washed his disciple’s feet, we must first
look at the historical era in which it took place. The footwear of this day was
almost always sandals, and the mode of transportation was, in most cases,
walking. Obviously, after traveling for any length of time, the feet would
become very dirty or dusty. When a traveler would enter a house as a guest, as
an act of hospitality, the host would offer water and a basin in which his
guest may wash his feet. In some cases, if the master of the house was wealthy,
he might have his servant, usually gird about with only a towel (to show that
he carried no weapons and was harmless), stoop and clean the guest’s feet.
Whichever the case, the master of the house would never lower himself to do
such a menial task. Keep in mind that this was an act performed on another only
by a servant.
This was a strong
time-honored and might I say necessary tradition that had been kept from Old
Testament times, and Jesus would use this tradition as a tool with which to
teach, not only His Apostles but all generations to follow, this much-needed
lesson in humility.
We must also keep in mind
the scene that was unfolding during this our Lord’s last meal. We find Jesus
relating that one of those in His presence would soon betray Him:
(Lk 22 v.21).
But, behold, the hand of him that
betrayeth me is with me on the table They,
being troubled by His statement, began to question him, as well as each other,
as to which of them it could possibly be.
(Lk 22 v.23).
And they began to inquire among
themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
This caused quite a stir to
say the least. However, they didn’t dwell on this for long, for we find only a
moment later that a pretty heated argument had arisen among them as to who
would be accounted as the greatest: How do we know is was heated??? Look at the
verse.
(Lk
22 v.24). And there was also a strife
among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
This was not the first time
this had come up. This same debate had come up before when James and John began
to ask permission to sit beside the Lord in His glory:
(Mk
10 v.35-37). And James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us
whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should
do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right
hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
We find this dispute arise at
another time among some of the others, after coming down from the mount of
transfiguration and after witnessing the miraculous feeding of the five
thousand:
(Lk 9:46). Then there arose a reasoning among them,
which of them should be greatest.
Even James’ and John’s
mother had gotten in on this request: (Matt
20:20-21) Then came to him the mother
of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain
thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant
that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the
left, in thy kingdom.
It is evident that these
roguish young men were more that just a little selfish and self-centered. They were still rough around the edges, and
would require some trimming and a lesson in humility. We can find many of these
same non-redeeming qualities in ourselves?
Can we not almost see Jesus, as
all the bickering was taking place, quietly rise from His seat and without a
word, begin to remove His clothes and to gird Himself about with only a towel (Jn
13 v.4), thus taking upon Himself not only the role but also the look,
of, a simple servant? No doubt as these
men first saw Him out of the corner of their eyes, their voices, one by one,
began to trail off until finally, there was a deafening silence. Then, with all
eyes fixed upon their Lord, they watched intently as He began to pour water
into a basin, walk toward them, and then kneel in humble submission at the feet
of the first disciple to be washed. What a great lesson He was teaching. For
while they were jockeying for position as to who would be the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven, Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation, was showing them
by this act what it would take if any wished to claim this title; that before
one could be considered as great, he must first learn the taste of humility
through humiliation itself; before one could become a good master, he must
first understand the role of his servant. With this one illustration, He
established the words, which He had already taught these men, (Mat 23 v.11) “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant”, also in (Mark 10 v.44). “And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all”
We find, as our Lord comes
to Peter, that Peter asks Him the question, (John 13 v.6) “Lord dost thou
wash my feet?” Jesus gives him an answer that may have seemed somewhat
strange to Peter “What I do thou knowest
not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (v.7).
No doubt Peter had
witnessed the washing of feet hundreds of times before. So why would Jesus tell
him that he would not understand what He was about to do… unless…this indeed
was to be viewed not as a literal administration, but rather as an exampled
teaching of a needful lesson?
Sure enough we find that
Peter does not immediately grasp what Jesus is doing, and makes the statement,
not in a rebellious manner but rather as a statement of his unworthiness; “Thou shalt never wash my feet”. (v.8) In this, Peter was conveying that
he could never allow the perfect hands of his Lord and master to touch his
filthy feet, nor could he have his Lord and his God to bow before him in such a
demeaning fashion… but then we hear the words of Jesus in the same verse, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with
me”.
We must understand that
Jesus is not threatening Peter with apostasy if He is not allowed to wash his
feet. He is simply relating to his beloved follower, that if he misses the true
meaning of this lesson, and fails to understand its true application, then
Peter can lay no claim to true discipleship. Peter, no doubt, hesitates for a
few seconds as his brain is sorting out what is going around him. Then,
suddenly, it all comes together. He finally gets it!
Jesus is not doing this
because our feet are dirty, but HE is showing us, by His example, how we are to
live our lives, and that is; in humble service to our Lord, by serving each
other. It is here that Peter makes the statement,
”Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head”! What Peter
is saying is, Lord, take all of me; my entire life and do whatsoever you will
with me, I am ready for you to use me in whatever capacity you so desire!
Even though the literal
administration of feet washing is still performed among a few religious
factions, the example and lesson that Christ was conveying is not fully comprehended.
We find in many cases (even if unintentional) that pride, rather than humility
is prevalent in many who “wash feet”. Sadly, many have been known to “boast” in
the fact that they indeed practice literal “foot washing”? We also may find in some,
disdain for those who do not agree with them in their views. This is in total
opposition to the lesson that Jesus was conveying as he washed his disciples
feet.
In my
opinion, this act should not be given any more of a literal significance than
many of the other examples which our Lord has given. For instance, as Jesus
gave us the model prayer, He told us to pray “thusly”. Are we then to take His
direction as a given commandment, using His words that He spoke, verbatim? No,
for we find when placed in its proper context, that Jesus was giving us an
outline, or structure, as to “how” we are to pray and not “what” we are
required to say. Let us also take a look at a familiar passage that can be
found in three of the four gospels. “And
he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Matt 16:24), (Mk 8:34) and
(Lk 9:23). Barring only a few minor nuances this scripture speaks the same
message in each of these gospels. I doubt any named Christian would take this
“commandment” of Jesus to be of a literal sense. No I think that most all
understand that He is speaking figuratively. We indeed have a “cross” to bear,
but this is not a cross of wood on which we are to be hung on a daily basis. Even
so in feet washing, as the Lord said in John 13, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to (or should) wash one another's feet”, we find that Jesus, again,
has given us the structure of how we should look at ourselves and
what we are to do for, our fellow man, and not literally what we are to
do to him.
To fully
understand the lesson that our Lord has taught, we must keep in mind that
humility is the theme for His actions. After He had bowed before His disciples,
taking their feet into His hands, carefully washing each one, then wiping them
dry with the towel, He declared His authority and position as being Lord and
master (v.13). Then, with the same authority, He spoke to all by
using this beautiful example (He even tells them that this is an example that He has given to
them) that all should do as (not what) He had done (v.14-15).
In this great paradox, His greatness is manifested by this exhibition of His lowliness.
So we find in Christ’s beautiful lesson that the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven (here on earth) is he that serves, and not he that is served. I have
heard (v. 17) quoted many times, “If
ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them”; as if Jesus is speaking
of the literal washing of feet. Even though this is usually quoted correctly,
we must look at the previous verse to find the correct context in which verse
17 is to be used. (v.16) states “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”. He is saying that if you
understand these things about the servant and his lord or the sender and he
that is sent, then happy are you if you put this into action. He expresses very
plainly that all who follow this example will find happiness.
Again, this act of
self denial on the part of our Lord and master, speaks volumes on how we are to
treat our brothers and sisters in Christ. For if we claim Him as our Lord then
we are without exception, to follow His great example. His teaching shows
us how we are to live in this world; that we should walk and live in all
humility, preferring others above ourselves, being givers rather than
receivers; ministering rather that being ministered unto, for “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace
to the humble” (I Pet 5 v.5)
In closing, we
find there are those who earnestly “feel” the need to kneel once or twice a
year before the saints in order to wash their feet in this defined fashion.
This may give satisfaction that they have openly proven their humility to everyone,
even themselves. I will never condemn anyone for this. For one to place oneself
in this position of humility is never to be taken lightly. However, I would
only ask that those who do this should continually remain in this position or
should I say condition of meekness and lowliness before men; manifesting this
humble attitude that should be a part of our new nature given in Christ Jesus;
ever taking into consideration that humility is not an act or deed performed,
but rather should be considered the established way of life for the professed
child of God and disciple of Christ.
In all humility,
