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FOOT WASHING
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The practice of foot
washing is found in the customs and hospitality of ancient civilizations
especially where sandals were the chief footwear. A
host would provide water
for his guests to pour over their feet into a copper
basin, rubbing the feet with his hands
and wiping it with a napkin cloth. Sometimes they would have a servant provide
the hospitality for the guests and on occasion the host
would do the honors himself.
Genesis, the first book of the Bible has many references
to the custom.
Genesis 18:4 – Bring some
water; wash your feet
4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, (ESV)
4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, (ESV)
Genesis 19:2 - Spend the
night and wash your feet
2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” (ESV)
2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” (ESV)
Genesis 24:31-32 – Fed camels
- gave water to wash the feet
31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”
32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”
32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
(ESV)
Genesis 43:24 – Fed donkeys
and gave water to wash their feet
24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, (ESV)
24 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, (ESV)
1 Samuel 25:41 – Handmaid
or servant washed the feet.
41 And she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” (ESV)
41 And she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” (ESV)
Significance of the Foot
·
The foot, because it comes in
contact with the ground is considered less honorable than the hand or head. –
It is the lowest member of the body. – To humiliate the enemy the foot
would be placed on his neck or head to indicate victory.
·
Shaking the dust off your
feet
is the rejection of inhospitality; a gesture of scorn, that to
take so much as dust from a place implied a bond with those that had rejected
you.
·
Homage is paid by falling at the feet of
someone.
·
Offerings would be laid at
someone’s feet.
·
A student would sit at the feet
of the Teacher or Master.
·
Love is shown by washing, anointing
and kissing the feet.
·
When Jesus returns, God will place all
things under His feet which is an expression of His absolute dominion.
Joshua 10:24 – Put your feet on the neck of the
enemy
24 When they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. (ESV)
24 When they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. (ESV)
Matthew 10:14 – Shake the dust off your feet
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
Luke 10:39 – Mary sat the Lord’s feet
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. (ESV)
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. (ESV)
Mark 5:22-23 – Jairus fell at the feet of Jesus
22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at His feet (Jesus)
23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” (ESV)
22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at His feet (Jesus)
23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” (ESV)
Acts 4:34-35 – Laid their offerings at the
Apostles feet
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (ESV)
34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (ESV)
Luke 7:38 Love is shown by washing, anointing,
kissing the feet
38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. (ESV)
38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:27 - God has put all things under his feet
27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. (ESV)
27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. (ESV)
The Custom
·
People traveling the dusty roads of Palestine
needed to wash their feet for comfort and cleanliness; this was usually
performed by the lowliest servant in the household. If the host had no
servants, he would usually wash the guest feet himself to show hospitality –
This was to remind himself that he too one day might be a weary traveler
looking for shelter and rest.
·
The washing of feet made the guest
feel at home and welcome. – The anointing of the feet with oil was for
cleansing, the same as we use soap.
·
Jesus commented on the lack of
hospitality that occurred in a Pharisee’s home concerning the custom of foot washing. – “You offered me no water to wash my feet”.
Luke 7:44-46 – The
Pharisee lacked hospitality.
44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. (ESV)
44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. (ESV)
Anointed feet
·
Moses instituted a ritual washing of feet for the
Priest when they entered the Temple.
·
As part of their customs, sometimes an honored
person would wash the feet of others as a sign of humility. This occurred when Mary and Martha were in
gratitude for Jesus honoring them with the raising of their brother Lazarus from
the dead.
·
Mary washed or anointed the feet of Jesus with
perfume and wiped it with her hair.
Jesus said this was a shadow of what was to come concerning his death, embalming
and burial.
Exodus 30:18-19 Priest wash their feet
18 You (Moses) shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which
19 Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. (ESV)
18 You (Moses) shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which
19 Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. (ESV)
John 12:2-3 Mary washed the feet of Jesus with her
hair
2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha
served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table.
3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (ESV)
3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (ESV)
John 12:6-7 – A
shadow of the burial and anointing of Jesus
6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. (ESV)
6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. (ESV)
Jesus set the example
·
It
was just before the Feast of the Passover when Jesus washed the feet of His
Disciples and told them that this was an example of what they should do;
to have the heart of a servant and wash others feet in humility, to love one another.
John 13:1-15 – Jesus set the example of foot washing
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (ESV)
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (ESV)
Early Church
·
After
the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, scripture indicates that the early
Church practiced the example of humility with foot washing as commanded by
Christ.
·
The Catholic Church continued the practice of
foot washing by the Pope with (approximately) twelve deacons where he pours water over their
feet and dried them with a towel. During
this service, the account of Jesus’ interaction with the Twelve Disciples is
read from the book of John; especially the dialog between Jesus and Peter.
1 Timothy 5:9-10 – Early Church practice
9 Let a widow be enrolled IF she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
10 having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. (ESV)
9 Let a widow be enrolled IF she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
10 having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. (ESV)
John 13:7-9 – Wash my hands and head as well
7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (ESV)
7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (ESV)
John 13:15 – I have given you an example.
15 For I have given you an
example,
that you also should do just as I have done to you. (ESV)
Today
·
Foot washing is most often experienced at the ordination
services of those who are being ordained for the ministry and also in
connection with the Maundy
Thursday services.
·
Maundy Thursday is the fifth day of the Holy week that comes
before Easter Sunday (resurrection day)
and the day before “Good Friday” which commemorates the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ and his death on the
cross.
·
Maundy is from the Latin mandatum, (MANDATE)
the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis
invicem sicut dilexi vos" – These are the words of Jesus; "A
new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved
you".
·
Foot washing is observed by numerous Protestant groups, including Southern Baptists, Anabaptists, Pentecostal and many Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist and Seventh-day Adventist
churches.- (Anabaptist
who were later referred to as Baptist, were against the Catholics position on
infant baptism for the forgiveness of sin; salvation.)
·
Some denominations act out or perform the
roles of Christ and Peter with the dialog passed back and forth as Peter tells
the Lord to not wash his feet and Jesus responds that if He does not, that he (Peter) will have no share with Him
·
Other denominations have "open" Communion where all believers,
not just members or pastors in attendance; are invited to share in the washing
of feet with one another: men with men, women with women, and frequently, Husband
with wife and vice versa.
·
Is Foot Washing an Ordinance like Baptism? – There are three qualification for something
to be deemed an ordinance.
1.
Was
it instituted by Christ?
2.
Is
it universal for all believers?
3.
Is
it a permanent application?
There are arguments both ways. A Church may participate in this without it
being an ordinance or sacrament, however the remaining fact is, that those who participate
in this action are blessed and are deeply touched by its significance. I certainly was.
John 13:34 – Command – Love one another
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (ESV)
The Lesson
While
Humility is central and certainly important in the sacrament of foot washing,
the
lesson brought home is the SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE of the water baptism
of
the lowly feet which washes away the dust. - It is the SYMBOLIC cleansing of the believer
from
the defilement of his present SIN, (which is partial
and temporary)
just
as Baptism of the Believer symbolizes the cleansing from all GUILT (complete and permanent).
In the multitude of counselors,
there is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:14
I
am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical
information, and scripture verses.
Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I
otherwise ever could have.
Antiquities of the Jews- Flavius Josephus
Arithmetic of God; The – Don Kistler
101 Q&A on Demon Powers – Dr. Lester Sumrall
Dead Sea Scrolls -
English Standard Version
Bible – ESV
Harper’s Bible Dictionary – Harper & Row
Hell’s
Angels – David Jeremiah
Illustrated Bible Dictionary; The - Tyndale
Invisible
War; The – Donald Grey Barnhouse
Koinonia House
– Chuck Missler
Manners & Customs of Bible Lands – Fred H. Wight
New International Dictionary of the Bible; The – Douglas- Tenney
Red Heifer;
The – The Temple Institute
Victor Journey through the Bible; The – V. Gilbert Beers
Wikipedia
Witchcraft, puppets and Voodoo – Irene A. Park
Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible; The - Tenney
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