WASHING THE SAINTS’ FEET
It
is fitting-and undoubtedly not without Christ’s purposeful design—that
feet-washing should immediately follow the institution of the memorial Supper.
Indeed, there was something more to be remembered if the redemptive benefits of
Christ’s sacrificial death were to be truly appreciated. In the overall context
of the evening’s events, that “something more to be remembered” was humble,
submissive servanthood as opposed to vain, egotistical ambition.
Get
the contextual picture: Jesus and His disciples were in route to Jerusalem
where a few days hence He would be arrested, tried, and crucified. (See Matthew
20: 17-28; Mark 10:32-45; and Luke 18:31-34; 22:24-27.) On the way, once again
He told the twelve “what things should happen unto him” (Mark 10:32); but the
record clearly shows that some of them had personal ambitions on their minds.
Two were seeking chosen positions; the others were “moved with indignation
against the two brethren,” and there was a spirit of “strife” among them-a work
of the flesh.
Since
Jesus knew that one would betray Him and another would deny Him, He also was
aware of this spirit of fleshly, worldly ambition. He was willing Himself to
suffer the betrayal and the denial, but He loved them too much to leave them
without a warning, or at least a mild rebuke, of this spiritually destructive
lust for prestige and power. It could work the destruction of any individual
possessed by it, and it could work devastation in the church.
“...Whosoever
shall be great among you, let him be your minister [servant]: And whosoever
will be chief among you, let him be your servant [bond slave]” (Matt. 20:26,
27).
I.
THE INSTITUTION OF THE ORDINANCE (John 13:4,5)
The
ceremony is prefaced by John’s statement concerning Jesus’ love for “His own.”
Undoubtedly this was the motivation for His action. By way of example, He would
not leave them deficient in love and humility toward one another.
A.
After the Supper (John 13:1, 2, 4): John does not write of the Lord’s Supper
and the first three Gospel writers make no reference to feet-washing;
therefore, commentators have engaged in speculation-all unnecessarily. The time
is made clear by the statements, “...supper being ended,” and “He riseth from
supper.”
B.
Jesus Readied Himself (John 13:3, 4): He was fully aware of His place in the
Godhead, and that the Father had given Him all power and authority. Therefore,
it was in no sense a denial of His divine status to do what He was about to do.
Paul said it well some thirty years later:
“Who
[Jesus], being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God
[took nothing away from God’s divinity];
“But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant...”
(Phil. 2:6, 7).
First,
Jesus inwardly took on the attitude of servanthood; then, outwardly, for the
benefit of those He loved, He laid aside His outer garments and, instead of the
robe and girdle, He girded Himself with a servant’s towel.
C.
He Washed the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:5-10): Using the servant’s
equipment-water pot and basin-He poured the water and began to wash the
disciples’ feet. Some have objected, saying that servants provided the water,
but the guests washed the dust from their own feet (Gen 18:4, 19:2, 24:32, 43:24);
however, the disciples were not guests, they were His beloved friends. Then,
characteristic of Him, He went beyond a servant’s duty and did the most
humiliating service of all-He knelt before them, and washed their feet.
This
was too much for the rugged fisherman who had confessed for them all “Thou art
the Christ. the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). He objected, saying,
“Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “What I do thou knowest not now;
but thou shalt know hereafter.” Still Peter exclaimed. “Thou shalt never wash
my feet.” Jesus’ answer, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me,” has
given rise to speculation.
Jesus
is noted for putting spiritual applications on temporal things, even without
such being obvious. The general consensus is that Jesus’ words had a double
reference: (1) The necessity of obedience and submission, the absence of which
ultimately amounts to sin, and (2) The necessity of spiritual cleansing by the
blood, which of course, the feet-washing was only a figure. Notice, Jesus said,
“If I wash thee not...” rather than “If I wash not thy feet…” Peter’s half-understanding led Jesus to
explain that the washing was not for physical cleanliness, since it is likely
that they had all washed their own feet, customarily, when they had left the
dusty street and entered the room. He said, “...ye are clean,” then went on to
refer to Judas, who was not clean in heart.
Incidentally,
the church is to be sanctified and cleansed “with the washing of water by the
word” (Eph. 5:26). The Word is the cleansing agent, but the process is typified
by the washing of water.
II.
THE EXPLANATION OF THE OVERALL ACTION (John 13:12-16)
A.
An Incidental Explanation: Jesus’ explanation to Peter, referred to above, was
an incidental clarification, though no doubt it was profitable to them all. But
Jesus had yet to divulge the deeper intent of His action. When He had finished
washing their feet, He put on His garments., and then He sat down to teach them
a never-to-be-forgotten lesson.
B.
The Question: “Know ye what I have done to you?” In verse 7 He had assured Peter
that, for the moment, he did not understand, but that he would know later. If
there is something about the feet-washing ordinance that we cannot know until
we get to heaven, so be it, but it seems abundantly clear that Jesus was ready
to explain. After all, the lesson to be learned-the example to be followed-is
for us while here on earth, to help us not to miss heaven.
C.
The Answer: First, He called for consistency of word and conduct. They called
Him “Master and Lord.” He told them, “and ye say well; for so I am” That being
true, they should make His example the conduct of their lives; and His example
was that of humble servanthood. Even though He was indeed their Lord and
Master, He was among them as their servant (See Luke 22:27) .
Second,
He instituted the feet-washing ordinance, grounding it on the example He had so
vividly demonstrated. “Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Paraphrasing,
He might have said, “Instead of striving among yourselves for position, renown,
and vainglory, you ought to be always ready and willing to serve one another in
love, as I have loved you unto the end.”
“Be
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one
another” (Rom. 12:10).
“Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves... Let this mind be in you, which was also
in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3, 5).
The
ordinance, observed periodically, would serve as a perpetual reminder of a
spirit of humility and loving condescension. “Mind not high things, but
condescend [voluntarily descend to a more lowly position] to men of low [lower]
estate” (Rom. 12:16). Moreover, for “widows indeed” this was something that
should be considered in taking them into the number as servants for Christ and
providing them support (1Tim 5:9-10).
Just
as Jesus had never exalted Himself above the Father who sent Him, neither
should the disciples think of themselves as being greater than their Lord.
After His resurrection, He appeared to them in a room with the doors shut. One
of the few things He said to them on that occasion was, “…As my Father hath
sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). Perhaps this was one last reminder
to keep their priorities in order.
III.
THE BLESSING IN OBEDIENCE
A.
Knowing “These Things”: Many have clung to the promise of “happiness” in the
feet-washing services; and rightly so. However, we must not fail to note the
conditions: “If ye KNOW these things, happy are ye IF YE DO THEM.” What are
“these things” which we know: (1) We know that, though He is Master and Lord,
yet He took a servant’s place; (2) We know that the servant is not greater that
his Lord; not too good to do the most menial service; and (3) We know that we
ought to do unto one another as He has done to us. These are the things we know
from the immediate context: “these things” with which Jesus was dealing.
B.
Doing “These Things”: As in the Beatitudes “blessed” means “happy”; here
“happy” means “blessed.” But the doing of what we know should precede the
promised blessing.
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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