What does it mean to wash ones feet? As it is written can it be taken figuratively, litterally or symbolically?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on September 25, 2012 at 9:20am

As Char has shared, we are to serve one another.  We also, must see our need to be served; our need to be helped.  As Jesus told His disciples, " 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 all of you."  He knew Judas had not completely given his heart to The Lord.  The enemy was able to speak to and use Judas, for his heart not surrendered to Jesus.  The others were bathed, or clean in their relationship to The Lord.  Their is a difference between religion and relationship.  It is not that those who belong to a religion, do not have a relationship with Jesus.  Yet, sadly many think their religion will be enough.  We must be able to receive from Jesus, from others.  We must learn to serve Jesus and others.  No matter our condition, Jesus will be there.  We must know we can ask and receive.  Also, when another needs us, we must be ready to serve.

Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on September 25, 2012 at 3:04pm

One more thing I would like to add.  The Spirit lead me to read something, and I believe it pertains.  When you reach out in Love to someone else it takes the focus off you, and this is one of the definitions of a servant, I believe.

Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on September 28, 2012 at 5:34am

Cella,

I took part in a *foot washing service* one time, in a church where there had been problems between members of the congregation. It was an awesome experience for me. The *dust* settled after this service. The service depicts humility and forgiveness, among other things.

Blessings.....

Rita

Permalink Reply by RoyW on September 30, 2012 at 5:11am

Cella,

I have also been in a foot washing service. It is very humbling. It makes us appreciate our Lord even that much more.

Permalink Reply by dean burrows on October 2, 2012 at 8:48am

Foot washing as explained to me long before I became a believer is very important As Char points out the roads where dirtand sandals where the main footwear. Yet there is an interesting fact to consider. Unless you were wealthy the floors in your home were probably dirt. Interesting.

         Now consider this you leave your home to go to a friends home. On your travels you are very careful to not touch anything yet unless you have learned to float your feet will always touch the ground.  Remember Genisi. God cursd the ground. It was and is believed evil is in everything around us. In order to get anywhere our feet must touch that evil. The foot washing is a cleansing of that evil before you enter the home.

          I often wonder should we take it more serious?

Permalink Reply by Michael Kinch on December 15, 2012 at 10:28am

I am a member of a christian community in which we practice foot washing (ordinance of humility).  It is a very spiritual experience.  As we come up to the communion service which we practice about once a quarter - 4 times a year, it is a time of deep heart searching, very much like the children of Israel must of experienced on the annual day of atonement.  If I have anything against any one else I try to make it right prior to the service and particularly if that individual is also a member I request the honor of serving him in the footwashing service.  It helps to bind brother with brother.  There are very many blessings that I have received from this command of Christ.  I have often wondered why other christian communions do not practice it.  I realize that with larger churches it would make it more difficult to accomodate.  I have taken part in smaller services though when we did it in an evening and held an agape feast where we ate a meal together and had close fellowship and Bible study along with communion and footwashing.  I crave for more of these experiences.  They draw me closer to God and closer to my Christian brothers and sisters.  I agree that there was sand and dust on their feet from traveling on the dusty roads in the days of the disciples.  Understanding this brings more meaning to the event. I don't really think that was the reason why Christ gave the command though.  I think he knew the trials and temptations that would assail believers to the end of time, and that we would need these times of heart seaching, serving one another in Christian love, and recleansing when we have missed the mark as Peter did.

Permalink Reply by dean burrows on December 16, 2012 at 12:00pm

Enjoy your comment and yes the foot washing is not a representation of slavery to clean the dirt of the physical world. The dust and dirt of the roads especially when you consider most of the population then had a dirt floor is not what was or is represented. It is the spiritual cleansing. It was  and is believed the evil can attach itself from any part of the body. Thus the feet all constantly in contact thus foot bathing had and has a very spiritual meaning.

 Unfortunately a great number of todays Christians somehow have lost spiritual meaning.

To bring this back we need people such as yourself to share the celebrations. And the blessings from them.

And oh yes we will be mocked yet that one that we touch changes the world.

 

Praise The Lord!!!!