THE
SACRAMENT OF FEET WASHING
I. ORIGIN OF THE SACRAMENT OF FEET WASHING
1. The Lord Jesus commanded us to perform the Feet Washing Sacrament (Jn 13:15).
After the Lord Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He commanded them, “for I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn 13:15). Furthermore, before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples “to observe All that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:20). Since Feet Washing is one of Jesus’ commandments, we cannot simply neglect to perform Feet Washing because we think it is insignificant. Jesus commanded us to follow His example and we ought to do so.
2. Blessed are they who do all that the Lord has commanded (Jn 13:16-17).
We should not ignore, or refuse to heed the Lord’s commandments. For as obedient children of God, we must perform the Sacrament of Feet Washing with due diligence and care. The Lord Jesus handed down to us an example and said, “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them” (Jn 13:17). If this is the Lord’s command, how can we not do them?
II. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SACRAMENT OF FEET WASHING
1. The Life-giving Significance of Symbolic Action in Feet Washing.
Many Christians today feel that Feet Washing is merely symbolic of certain teachings, e.g., the teaching of humility. Thus, many Christians feel they can forego the Sacrament of Feet Washing so long as they embody the teachings of the sacrament. There are many reasons why this type of thinking is wrong. First, Jesus commanded us to perform Feet Washing (Jn 13:15-17). Second, Feet Washing is related to our salvation (Jn 13:8). Third, we cannot separate the symbol from the significance in sacraments. In as much as we cannot do away with the ‘bread and cup’ from the sacrament of Holy Communion and simply remember the Lord, we also cannot do away with the actual Feet Washing Sacrament and simply observe the teachings. In regards to Holy Communion, Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” In regards to Feet Washing, Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” So, symbolic action and significance are intricately connected in the sacraments, which while mysterious, must be followed for the sake of our salvation and obedience to the Lord.
2. Feet Washing illustrates the Lord’s great love (Jn 13:1).
a. The Lord called His disciples out of His great love for them. Even so, the disciples argued about who would be the greatest among them (Mk 10:35-45). In addition, Jesus’ disciple, Judas Iscariot, was deceived by Satan to betray the Lord (Jn 13:2). However, in order to illustrate the extent of His love to His disciples, Jesus set an example for them by washing their feet.
b. As Jesus’ disciples today, we must learn to follow the Lord’s foot-steps and love with the love of Christ. Jesus loves with all His heart, strength, and life; we too must follow the Lord’s example (Jn 13:34-35; 1 Jn 3:16-18).
3. Feet Washing illustrates Jesus’ requirement that His disciples be holy (Jn 13:10-11).
a. The Lord said, “He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not every one of you” (Jn 13:10). “Feet” is a symbol of a person’s behavior and deeds (cf. Prov 4:14, 26-27). The word “wash” signifies a cleansing. Jesus essentially is saying that once a believer is baptized, i.e., spiritually “bathed’’, he or she need only cleanse his/her paths or “feet.” If believers can keep their “feet” clean after having been baptized in the name of Jesus, then they are truly “clean all over.” At the time Jesus was speaking, His disciple Judas was unclean; therefore, by washing all of His disciples’ feet, the Lord Jesus made it clear that they should all remove the evil from their hearts. In the end, however, Judas did not repent. Rather, he walked down a path that led to a horrible demise. (Jn 13:26-27).
b. Those who have been baptized and have received the Sacrament of Feet Washing commanded by the Lord should understand its significance. Disciples must always examine the path they are walking on, making sure to keep their feet from the way of iniquity (Prov 4:26-27). If believers should ever be defiled, they should receive the spiritual washing of the word in order to keep their complete body and soul clean (Jn 17:17, 19; Eph 5:26-27).
4. Feet Washing illustrates the Lord’s humility and service (Jn 13:12-14).
a. The Lord said to the disciples, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (Jn 13:14). At the time, Judas was unclean. Furthermore, the disciples, envious of one another, fought among themselves over who would be the greatest (Mt 20:20-28). As a result, the Lord Jesus voluntarily debased Himself to wash His disciples’ feet – a lowly and servile act – in order to show His disciples what humility, service, and love for one another really consisted of. So Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master.” (Jn 13:16). While Jesus was the disciples’ Master, He was humble enough to take the form of a servant. We too must do likewise.
b. In principle and organization, a church ought to be different from an ordinary social community (Mk 10:42-45) or a hypocritical religious body (Mt 23:1-12). In humility and service, we must remember the spiritual teachings imparted in Feet Washing. We should not aspire to the vain glory of this world, rather, we must humble ourselves and learn to serve others (Rom 12:16; Gal 5:26; Phil 2:3).
5 Feet Washing illustrates the Lord’s forgiveness.
a. Judas was initially called by the love of the Lord Jesus, but in the end he intended to betray the Lord. Although the Lord knew about Judas’ betrayal, Jesus showed His forgiveness of Judas by washing his feet, hoping that he would turn away from his evil intentions. In this sense, Jesus’ feet washing of Judas was an act of forgiveness at its highest level (Ps 41:9; Jn 13:11-12).
b. In the household of God, misunderstanding and conflicts among members can and do occur. However, when we remember the extent of the Lord’s forgiveness and love, demonstrated as He washed the feet of His disciples, we should hold no more grudges. Rather, we must forgive one another in love (Mt 18:21-35; Col 3:12-13).
6. Feet Washing signifies having a part in the Lord (Jn 13:8).
a. Peter was shocked to hear the Lord say, “If I do not wash you, you have no part in me” because he knew each and every word the Lord spoke was significant in truth and dealt with eternal life (Mt 5:37; 24:35; Jn 6:68; 12:48). To have no part with the Lord simply means having nothing to do with the Lord, i.e. an outcast from God’s salvation (Eph 2:12). Jesus’ serious remark illustrates the striking difference between the Sacrament of Feet Washing and the Jewish practice of Feet Washing as a form of customary hospitality. From here we understand the life-giving nature of the sacrament.
b. In order for us to have a part in the Lord, we should always be ready to receive the washing of water by the word which cleanses us of our faults, i.e. the word corrects and disciplines our faults (Heb 4:12; Eph 5:26-27; Rev 22:14).