John 13: 1-17
“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 most 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.
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. Can we not find many of
these same non-redeeming qualities in ourselves?
We can 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 John 13:17 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,
Sam
Everett
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