Foot Washing: Beyond The Ritual Friday 25, October 2013 TEXT: JOHN 13:1-11 KEY VERSE: “After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded” (John 13:5). In ancient civilizations, especially in the dusty East where sandals were the common footwear, it was customary for hosts to provide water for guests to wash their feet. In some cases, the host would assign his servant to not only provide the water but to do the washing of the guest’s feet. This was an extension of Eastern hospitality. When Christ was done with His public ministry, He focused attention on His disciples and endeavoured to teach them some practical lessons. He laid aside His garment, wrapped Himself with towel – just like a servant would do – and proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet one after another. Christ’s response to Peter’s protestation about washing his feet intimates that the exercise had spiritual significance. Christ’s message for us here is that of love and voluntary humility that should characterise the life of every Christian. In a Christian family, church or fellowship where there are manifest or subtle envy, jealousy, pride, backbiting, tale-bearing and fighting, the virtues of lowliness and love are missing from the experiences of professing Christians. Observing a day of ritualistic washing will not suffice. It is important that we truly submit our hearts for cleansing by the Holy Spirit and receive the transforming grace of God that will equip us with necessary virtues. This is when it becomes easy to truly wash one another’s feet. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The Christian’s highest aspiration should be to be more Christ-like.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 04:59:37 +0000
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