The incident is recorded in John 13. Jesus' time was becoming very short, and there were strivings among the disciples. In 24 hours He would be on the cross. How could He prepare them for what was coming? How could He lead their thoughts away from selfish interests?
In order to convey His feelings and teach a truth that would never be forgotten, Jesus used an illustration-enacted a parable-to convey His thoughts. "The whole life of Christ had been a life of unselfish service. 'Not to be ministered unto, but to minister' (Matt. 20:28) had been the lesson of His every act. But not yet had the disciples learned the lesson. At this last Passover supper, Jesus repeated His teaching by an illustration that impressed it forever on their minds and hearts" (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 642).
When Jesus had finished washing the feet of each of the men, He asked the question "Know ye what I have done to you?" (John 13:12). They did not answer, and so Jesus continued to speak: "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; 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" (verses 13-15).
Was Jesus simply conforming to custom? We know that foot washing was common in the East. The climate and mode of dress made necessary frequent washing of the feet and was regarded as a "mark of respect to the guest, and a token of humble and affectionate attention on the part of the entertainer."* There are numerous instances in the Bible of this being done: Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; and Judges 19:21. Furthermore, secular history also records the practice in connection with important events, both religious and nonreligious. That Jesus was not simply conforming to custom may be seen in His question (John 13:12), which called for a symbolic meaning.
Furthermore, there was the time of the washing. Verses 2 and 12 indicate that the meal had either been started or finished when Jesus arose from the table. The washing of feet usually preceded the meal, but in this instance it did not, which seems to indicate that Jesus had something more in mind than the customary act. The absence too of a servant was rather significant. This could not have been an oversight, since all other details of the Supper were carefully planned.
More Than One Lesson
So was it a lesson in humility? Yes, there is no doubt about it, but there is more. If we look deeper into this part of the service, we see it was more than a simple conforming to standard practice-and more than a lesson in being humble.
The key to the whole passage is verse 1: "When Jesus knew that his hour was come . . . , having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."
Two thoughts here set the stage for what is to follow. First, Jesus' self-consciousness in knowing that His hour was come, and second, His love for His disciples. It is significant that John should begin this chapter with an expression of love. It must be that what follows is an unfolding in the form of a parabolic act, a dramatization of what love is. Here were circumstances for which words would have been totally inadequate, since they would soon be forgotten, but not so with actions. What was to take place would remain with them for the rest of their lives. It was His last act of dedication to these men whom He had known for three and a half years and upon whose shoulders the responsibility of the preaching of the gospel would now rest. How better could He demonstrate His love for and confidence in them at this point than to take the place of a servant and wash their feet?
They were totally unprepared for what took place. "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments [note similarity to Phil. 2:5-8]; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded" (John 13:4, 5). Jesus starts with Judas, His betrayer, and moves around the circle before the wondering eyes of the disciples. The text says, "Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." The Greek word for "end" is telos, meaning "perfectly, wholly, completely." It seems, therefore, that here we find the highest expression of Jesus' love to His disciples thus far. What He seemed to be saying to each one was, "I love you so much that you can count on Me to do anything for you, even to the point of washing your feet and, if necessary, dying for you." It was an act of complete love and dedication.
This seems to be the meaning of the ordinance, the meaning of which the disciples failed to see, as implied in Jesus' question to them, "Know ye what I have done to you?" This is what Jesus meant us to continue when He said, "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet" (verse 14).
The washing of one another's feet is an act of loving dedication to one's partner, who is also a representative of all humanity, of our willingness to do for that one whatever may be necessary, even to the point of death. When we take the feet of our brother or sister in our hands and wash them, we are saying to him or her, "I love you as a brother or sister in Christ, and you can count on me to be of service to you, however humble it may be, even to the point of giving my life for you." Unless one enters into it in this spirit, prepared to make this commitment, it cannot be said that one has truly taken part in the service and has "washed one another's feet."
_________________________
* John McClintock and James Strong, "Foot-washing," Encyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. III, p. 615.
_________________________
John M. Staples writes from Angwin, California.
hat really is the significance of the practice of foot washing? Is it merely a lingering trace of a past culture? We usually hear this part of the service referred to as "the ordinance of humility." But is that all it is? No. There is the possibility of a deeper and more meaningful lesson than simply one of humility, important as that may be.
Exclude PDF Files