Feet washing

[Roro1972]

I reccently encountered this through my land lord when I went to church with him and his wife a few times. I quit going with them because I did not believe it was something we should do.
In the old Testament days there were no side walks or asphalt roads to walk on. Add to that every one wore some form of sandal. The way I think of feet washing is it was done to remove the dust off travellers feet. The church used the time when Jesus washed the apostles feet as their reason.
So what do you think about this?

 

[Mike S]

Roro, our church has a service where we do washing of feet. It's not for practical reasons of cleaning off the dirt from the day's work, it's a ritual of humbling one's self in service to others. It's a ritual of spiritual cleansing, both of ourselves and each other as we take on the role of servant. It's symbolic of our emulating Christ's life of humility, service and sacrifice.

Please do not think this makes us feel in any way superior to other Christians who don't perform washing of feet. It's spiritually meaningful to us, and may not be for others.

 

[Eugene]

Dear Brother Roro1972, some time ago I wrote this on some thread, but I'll repeat it here since I can't find it.
Here we are talking of beautiful feet, and must think of the feet as pertaining to our spiritual walk, and hopefully I can point your thinking to our feet being cleaned associated with our walk in Christ.
Rom 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!

John 13:5 After that He (Jesus) poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all (Talking of Judas). They were all saved except Judas, but their walk needed cleaned.

What is being talked about here? We read in Ephesians 5:26 That He (Jesus) might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Again the word) Even our armor is dependent upon the word. Our walk or feet shod with the word makes our walk beautiful.
My thoughts.

 

[Roro1972]

Thanks guys for explaining this to me. I do have a better understanding now. And I could wash some ones feet I do not think I could sit while some one did mine though.

 

[JohnDB]

Thanks guys for explaining this to me. I do have a better understanding now. And I could wash some ones feet I do not think I could sit while some one did mine though.

That is the humbling experience in and of itself.

The things that we don't want to have on display are actually on display to those all around us...or will be and God sees all.

But I'm with you on this one.

I got really ugly feet. Toenails are the least of my worries. We don't need people puking during a service like that. And my feet will cause that sort of thing. I've worked on them my whole life. Never had a desk job. So I carry the scars of that work and more on my feet.

I'm simply too embarrassed and ashamed of them. The rest of me is OK as shown in my photo. (I'm stinky dirty in it but the Hondurans didn't care). But you don't feel the need to toss cookies at my photo...like you would if it was a photo of feet and ankles.

So I skip those services. Plenty of other things to do and be a part of.

But the result of foot washing is that YOU commit the sins but all those that you know and care about have to pay a price for YOUR SINS. Its kinda disgusting (of yourself) when you realize that is what Jesus was referring to during his practical example.

 

[GodsGrace]

Hi Roro,
Oddly enough, you answered your own question in your post no. 4 when you stated that you would be willing to wash someone else's feet but you couldn't sit there while they washed yours.

I'm cutting and pasting Eugene's verses:

John 13:5After that He (Jesus) poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
John 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all (Talking of Judas). They were all saved except Judas, but their walk needed cleaned.

First, yes, washing of feet was a cultural tradition. When one had guests, they'd show up with very dusty feet, as you said in your O.P. So it would be welcoming for their host to supply water and towel so they could wash their feet and be more comfortable.

This also brings to mind Mathew 10:14. The Pharisees practiced shaking the dust off their feet as a symbolic gesture when leaving the home of an "unclean" gentile. This was a warning to them who rejected God's message.

Now to the washing of the feet at the Last Supper. This certainly means that we are to serve others as Jesus served His apostles. This is used as an example.

But did you ever think of this? John 13:8 How about the matter of being able to ACCEPT Jesus' love?
Jesus wanted to wash Peter's feet, and Peter could not accept the love Jesus offered. Peter said what you said in post 4. It's much easier to wash someone's feet instead of sitting there and letting yours be washed. It could be embarrassing, humilitating, it exposes you. But sitting there and letting Jesus do the action means accepting His love for you. Love goes beyond embarrassement, humiliation and exposure. If you accept Jesus' love these things will not bother you. Jesus told Peter that he must accept His love or Jesus would have no part of Him.

John 13:9 So Peter says okay, and agrees to the washing. He tells Jesus that He should wash not only his feet but also his hands and head. In other words, just do a complete job. But Jesus told him that since Peter was already clean (only the feet got dirty, not the whole body) he needed to have only his feet washed.

This makes me think that when we're saved we become clean - our body is washed. Then our feet get dirty and this would be when we sin, and that has to be washed by confessing our sin and being sorry for it. And then we're all clean again.

My thoughts.

Wondering

 

[iLOVE]

The lesson pertains to our everyday walk before Christ. That's the reason our Lord said we must take up the Cross daily (Luke 9:23). To take up the Cross and follow Christ means that we are to place our faith totally in Christ and what Christ did at the Cross and leave it there. If we choose to ignore God's way, then we cannot and will not be able to claim to be a follower of Christ.

The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)

Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!

 

[Roro1972]

Thanks for all the help I will have to really work on this a while. most of you say it has to do with love; Ive never been around or experienced that. if I under stand what ive read it has a lot to do with trusting others.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

That is the humbling experience in and of itself.

In our modern western societies it is an unnecessary, embarrassing experience.

We don't live in a world anymore where servants wash people's feet when they enter a home. Everyone washes and cares for their own feet at home. My feet and the rest of my body are a private matter that, frankly, no one has any business being involved with, nor would I expect them to be.

So, Roro1972, don't feel unsettled that you don't want people washing your feet. There are lot's of other ways that you can show humility to other people--more meaningful ways. For example, how many Christian men are putting the toilet seat down for the women of the household? Come on, men. Get off your high horses and show a little humility....in a way that actually means something.

 

[Mike S]

In our modern western societies it is an unnecessary, embarrassing experience.

We don't live in a world anymore where servants wash people's feet when they enter a home. Everyone washes and cares for their own feet at home. My feet and the rest of my body are a private matter that, frankly, you have no business being involved with, nor would I expect you to be.

So, Roro1972, don't feel unsettled that you don't want people washing your feet. There are lot's of other ways that you can show humility to other people--more meaningful ways. For example, how many Christian men are putting the toilet seat down for the women of the household? Come on, men. Get off your high horses and show a little humility....in a way that actually means something.

Whaaaat?

 

[GodsGrace]

Whaaaat?

 

[GodsGrace]

FOR @ Mike S

Hi Mike S
We're in the lounge so I guess I could do this here since you don't accept PM's: I wrote you:

Mike S

What does "it's turtles all the way down" mean???

I'll tell you why it makes me laugh:

I live in a valley in a mountainous region. We go down to the city a lot. It's about 45 minutes away on mountain roads. It's only two lanes - one up and one down. You could pass cars when possible, but it's a pain in the neck.

So every time we get to a car that's going slow, we say "oh no... another turtle."

Wondering

 

[Mike S]

Hi, Wondering. It comes from something I read in Steven Hawkings "A Brief History of Time."

A well-known scientist (some say it was Bertrand Russell) once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the center of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy. At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: "What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise." The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, "What is the tortoise standing on?" "You're very clever, young man, very clever," said the old lady. "But it's turtles all the way down!"
​

It just strikes me as funny, I like that little old lady.

BTW, I didn't realize my settings don't allow PMs. I'll have to change that.

 

[GodsGrace]

Hi, Wondering. It comes from something I read in Steven Hawkings "A Brief History of Time."

A well-known scientist (some say it was Bertrand Russell) once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the center of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy. At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: "What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise." The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, "What is the tortoise standing on?" "You're very clever, young man, very clever," said the old lady. "But it's turtles all the way down!"
​

It just strikes me as funny, I like that little old lady.

BTW, I didn't realize my settings don't allow PMs. I'll have to change that.

Mike S
Thanks for responding. I like that story!
Turtles all the way down.
Infinity.
And why would that be any more difficult to grasp than "and where does God come from?" !!

I like that little old lady too --

Wondering

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I've got an idea.
Instead of foot washing ceremonies, let's have shoe cleaning ceremonies.
When we all gather to worship, each of us will clean another person's shoes off so they won't track dirt into the sanctuary. If the idea here truly is humility then I think this should be accepted as a very good Western expression of the practice of foot washing.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I like that little old lady too --

I don't.
That's the old woman who puts cat food in the casserole she brings to the Pot Luck dinners.

 

[GodsGrace]

I don't.
That's the old woman who puts cat food in the casserole she brings to the Pot Luck dinners.

Jethro
What's happening?
I wish I knew how to do that thing like you did with Rodney Dangerfield.
You sound so upset.
It's a little old lady - be nice. You know Hawkins doesn't believe in God. It's an answer, a funny one, but we each must find our own regarding infinity, no?

And so she doesn't agree with us. So why would she be bringing any food to the Pot Luck dinners (in church)?? What would she even be doing in church?

And about the feet washing. What's with that? You don't think it takes humility to have one's feet washed?
Like, for instance, if one is sick and cannot wash their own, do you think they LIKE the experience and would not rather do this themselves? It takes a lot of humility.

Wondering

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Jethro
What's happening?
I wish I knew how to do that thing like you did with Rodney Dangerfield.
You sound so upset.

There.....I put a smiley face after that post so you won't think I'm angry and upset.

And about the feet washing. What's with that? You don't think it takes humility to have one's feet washed?

I explained it in my post.
We no longer have servants charged with the job of washing people's feet that the practice is somehow meaningful in our Western societies (maybe it is in your backward, God forsaken socialist country . Why you stay there is beyond me. ). I suggested that if the church wants to continue the practice in the name of servanthood and humility, make it more meaningful and a real test of humility.....clean each other's shoes in the lobby before every meeting of the saints. Any takers? .....not holding my breath on that suggestion. It's too real and useful and would actually accomplish what Christ intended.

Like, for instance, if one is sick and cannot wash their own, do you think they LIKE the experience and would not rather do this themselves? It takes a lot of humility.

And so explain to me how it is that people at the church's annual foot washing CAN'T wash their own feet that it is somehow a show of humility.

Have you ever been to a church's scheduled foot washing? Everyone makes sure they wash their own feet before they come and that they have fresh socks on. And the foot washing is actually just pouring water over the tops of their feet into a plastic wash tub. It's a ridiculous not so real world exercise in pseudo humility. Real humility would be, for example, scrubbing the toilet out after your fellow church goer uses it after the church dinner. That's a real job that someone has, and one that is useful, and one that most certainly would require true Christ-like humility. Any takers? Or are we just going to stick with the once a year ceremonial wetting of the pleasantly clean and perfumed feet of people who don't need their feet washed in the first place?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

...each must find our own regarding infinity, no?

Yes, we do.
In my mind, the earth is a flat plate supported on the backs of the working, tax paying poor.
It's the wretched poor all the way down, baby, all the way down.

 

[GodsGrace]

Yes, we do.
In my mind, the earth is a flat plate supported on the backs of the working, tax paying poor.
It's the wretched poor all the way down, baby, all the way down.

I'm with you baby, I'm with you!
Lata...
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