Hoyte Nelson's 

Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays

Biblical Essays

Poems & Reflections

Essay

FOOT-WASHING

A Godly  “Example” of Christian Ministry (John 13:15)

 “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master… (Having) washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:13,14,KJV).

            It is important to understand the setting (context) for this study. This is not the supper wherein Jesus instituted the “Lord’s Supper,” for this supper was given two days prior to that eventful day. John records these words: “Now before the feast of the Passover…and supper being ended…He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself…” (John 13)

            The “example” that Jesus gave to His disciples when He washed their feet is an example of “Christian” ministry. First, I want to discuss what the example of foot washing should mean to us today, and secondly, I will discuss that which it was not intended to be:

            For one thing, foot washing was the common practice that every Jew who received a guest into their home was expected to do: Conditions of the day required it. Remember the story of recorded in Luke chapter seven about the women who washed Jesus’ feet. This is what Jesus said about it: “And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, (in whose home He was a guest) Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head…” (Luke 7: 44,KJV).

            Now what is the message for us today? First of all, the example of Jesus demonstrates in the washing of the disciples’ feet, was this: No one is to be regarded as better than anyone else in the Christian community. If Jesus, our master, washed the feet of the disciples, then there is nothing too menial for us to do when we hear the cry for help from a Christian Brother.

            There are only two church ordinances to be practices in the Body of Christ, and “foot-washing” is not one of them. An ordinance cannot fulfill the “example” as shown by Jesus in foot washing, but daily ministry can!