On Foot Washing

It is the final countdown. Only a few hours remain. Christ, with His disciples shall leave this room for Gethsemane; then go to meet Judas, the servants of the high priest, and the Roman soldiers; then before the Jewish counsel, before Pilate, and to the cross. Our Lord has but a short time to comfort and instruct His disciples. How critical the time. Surely, all that will immediately transpire must be of the utmost importance. Certainly, the Lord Jesus never wasted time or effort; He was never to be found without Plan and Purpose. Then why at this crucial point of time would He seemingly stop and do something like; washing His disciple’s feet? If all the surrounding order of events so vigorously hold our attention, then why not this? Twice does our Lord emphasize to His disciples: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Again, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” We’re not done: there is a blessing that is promised unto those who are obedient to the Word of Christ: “if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Some have chosen to view this literally and have instituted the practice of “footwashing,” while we contend that it is not given as an ordinance of the church and is not required in the literal sense. Then pray tell, what did the Lord Jesus have in mind when He spoke those words? To this we reply, Well, it shows forth humility and Christian service! While this is certainly not without merit, I yet fear that we have “come short” of knowing the mind of Christ; as He said, we are to “know” them, we are to “do” them. Let us not, even for a moment, think this portion of scripture to be of less importance than that of others. If we are without understanding; if we “lack wisdom,” then let us “ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally.”

That being said, let us study the Word, the Spirit being our guide.

Three schools of thought come to mind, and we shall approach them thusly: First, Christ and His disciples; second, Christ and the law; third, Christ and the church.

Christ and His disciples.

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” Matt. 18:1-3.

“Then came to Him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, [James and John] worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him. . .Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.” “And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren” Matthew 20:20,21,24.

“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest” Luke 22:19,20,24. Can you imagine taking part in a communion service where Christ Himself was serving, yet harboring in your heart ill-will toward your brethren!!! The reader would do well to study these accounts in their entirety.

These same disciples were to be found some forty days later in an upper room; they were to continue with “one accord in prayer and supplication,” awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit upon them. How needful, now, that Christ find a way to awaken them to the truth; as yet they had not responded; even sitting at the Lord’s Supper would they continue to harbor indignation and strife against one another. He must do something that will utterly shock them, to once and for all get their attention! And He did. Their thoughts had been lofty thoughts; each one fantasizing how he would sit with Jesus in His kingdom when He occupied the throne of Israel. How their dreams must have come tumbling down as He stooped before them to wash their feet! Now would He bring them down to where He was (and we say this reverently).

Had Paul been there he might have charged them: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who. . .made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant. . .He humbledHimself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, [Who humbled Himself] and given Him a name which is above every name: [Who made Himself of no reputation] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, [Who took upon Himself the form of a servant] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord [Who was made in the likeness of men].

“He. . .began to wash the disciple’s feet.” This is He of whom John the Baptist declared: “He it is, whose coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose” John 1:27. Shall we not rightly say that these men were so encumbered with self interests that they found it difficult to focus upon the Lord? Shall we not also include ourselves in this party?

“Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?. . . Thou shalt never wash my feet.” Now does the Lord have his (and their) attention! Now does the Light of Day dawn upon our brother. Suddenly Jesus is very God and he is the servant. Suddenly he is the leper, calling “unclean, unclean!” “Lord, don’t touch me, lest you be defiled!” But Our Lord cannot be defiled by this world. He would wash the defilement from Peter’s “feet” but His own feet had been anointed beforehand, “that in all things He might have the preeminence” Col. 1:18. His feet alone, needed not to be washed, for they were never defiled; He, the sinless One. These disciples had followed the Lord Jesus for more than three years. They were there as He raised the crippled, as He caused the blind to see, as He pardoned the woman taken in adultery, as He healed the leper and raised the dead. But now it is become personal: Christ is directing His attention at them. It is they who are now to experience His touch!

“Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

Our brother has just done a complete turn around; from “Thou shalt never” to “Lord, also my hands and head.” (I think the correct term is repentance.) Notice again: “Thou shalt never. . .”

Here he does not address Jesus as Lord, for that would be inconsistent: he is not allowing Jesus to behis Lord at this point. Afterwards, after his heart is turned, he acknowledges Christ as Lord, for he is now in submission to Him. Is it possible that a man could follow Jesus for three and a half years, yet notsee the Lord? Isaiah “saw the Lord,” his response being, “I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Sounds like Jesus, doesn’t it? Job was an “upright man,” yet said he, “I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth Thee.” His response: “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

“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. . .The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than He that sent him” John 13:13,14,16. The shocking example along with heart searching discipline was in direct reaction to the animosity residing in the hearts of His disciples against one another.

        “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105. How suitably does this scripture seem to apply here! Christ will illuminate their feet, that He may cleanse their feet, that they may walk in the Light of His righteousness!

 

Christ and the Law.

        “Think not that I AM come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I AM not come to destroy, but to fulfil” Matt. 5:17.

        “Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

        “And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a “water of separation:” [sanctification] it is a “purification for sin.” [cleansing] Num. 19:9. The New Testament counterpart being found in Ephesians chapter five: that “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.”

“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” The example is given of a man, if he refused orneglected to be cleansed, “defileth the tabernacle of the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean” Num. 19:13.

Understand, we do not practice the ceremonies and rituals found in the Old Testament laws; but we are to practice the principles found therein! If it was right for a man to be cleansed from his defilement under Moses, then it’s right for Peter to be cleansed from his defilement at the hands the Author of that Law, the Lord Jesus! If a man was cut off from the congregation of the children of Israel for refusing to be cleansed, then the Lord of Israel must say to him, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

“Thou shalt also make a laver of brass. . .thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and theirfeet thereat:” Exodus 30:18,19. Christ Himself is our “laver.” If we would enter the “Holy Place;” if we would enter His presence, we must pass first by the Laver, who Himself will “wash our feet.” (Our hands are not mentioned for the work of redemption has been finished by our Great High Priest! Further, if ourwalk is right, our works will be right.)

“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenantwith thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine. Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil” Ezek. 16:8,9. “I entered into a covenant with thee. . . then I washed thee with water. “The “covenant” was a covenant of blood.When Jesus shed His blood on the cross it was a lawful, judicial, binding contract between Himself and God the Father. It was a one time transaction; By “one offering He hath perfected forever them that are set apart” Heb. 10:14. Then, afterward, followed the “washing of water.” The blood was Godward;the water is saintward; it is the “washing of our feet” by the “water of purification.” It is the practical cleansing of our hearts by the Holy Spirit of that which would defile and encumber our communion with God.

Many times the scriptures appear to be given in reverse order, when in reality the “fruit” is being traced back to the “root.” Such is that which is written in Galatians chapter six, verses three through one: “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” or “to every man that is among you, not to THINK OF HIMSELF more highly than he ought to think” but “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” Rom. 12:3,10. Of course, this kind of humbleness is made possible when we have first “presented our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” which is the first step we are to take in “service.” Reasonable service” not only yields to a Holy God, but gives itself to a needy brother! How those disciples desperately needed to learn this lesson!

Again in Galatians chapter six and verse two we are to “fulfil the law of Christ.” We are not left without explanation; it is by bearing “one another’s burdens.”

But in verse one of the same chapter is given “footwashing” in a nutshell: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” But we are tempted; and as followers of Christ, as we have “suffered being tempted” we should be “able to succour them that are tempted” Heb. 2:18.

Second, it is to be done in “the spirit of meekness;” that is, from a servant’s heart.

Third, the labor of love set before us is to “restore such an one.” That is, to come before him as a servant, prepared to serve, girded with the linen towel of righteousness, hope, and truth; and bearing the basin of water, the Word of God. Let us “restore such an one” by using the water of the Word to “wash his feet,” not forgetting the towel with which he should be comforted and restored to fellowship.

“Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet”. . . which renders us responsible to receive footwashing at the hands of our brethren when we are the ones in need of cleansing.

No, “footwashing” is not an ordinance of the church, for its practice cannot be confined within the walls or in the pews of the church house. Unlike the Lord’s Supper, it is more likely to be done outside the church, and on a one-to-one basis. It’s not an ordinance of the church, but is it not the ordinance of Christ, directed at individuals, believers; that we should, in so doing, fulfil the Law of Christ?

Christ and the church.

If there is any scripture that well describes and draws for us a conclusion concerning the purpose of our Lord’s washing of the disciple’s feet, it might be that which is found in Ephesians chapter five, verses twenty-five through twenty-seven: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; But that it should be holy and without blemish.” “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hathbegun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Phil. 1:5.

There are seven works that our Lord has and is and will “perform” concerning His church. We see: (1) His love for His own. (2) The giving of Himself. (3) The sanctification of the church. (4) His cleansing of the same. (5) The washing of water by the Word. (6) Presenting it to Himself (7) That it should be [made] holy.

This verse should take on added meaning as we contemplate what we have just read in Ephesians chapter five. This scripture might well be called the John 3:16 addressed to the church: “For God so loved the world. . . “as Christ also loved the church” “That He gave His only begotten Son. . . “and gave Himself for it“ “That whosoever believeth in Him. . . “a glorious church”. . .should not perish. . . not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” [A vegetable or piece of fruit is “perishable,” the visible indication being that it becomes “spotted” or “wrinkled” or “blemished.”] “But have everlasting life.” “That He might sanctify. . . cleanse. . .present it to Himself. . .that it should be holy. . .”

“ And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may knowHim that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, andEternal Life” I John 5:20 Cf. I John 5:11,12. Rev.21:27.

        May we understand the Eternal Life is none less than Christ Himself! In the first chapter of John, our Lord is “the Word with God. . .the Word of God. . .In Him was Life.”

(In Genesis chapter three after the fall of man in disobedience to God: “And they heard the Voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” How can a voice “walk?” In much the same way as He did as found in John chapter one and verse fourteen: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” In both instances the Lord, the Voice of the Lord God, came to “seek and to save that which was lost” Luke 19:10. In both are to be found the “shedding of blood” Heb. 9:22.

It is noteworthy that the very first verse preceding the account of the Lord washing the disciple’s feet declares His “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” John 13:1. The same verse clarifies the order of events to be “before the feast of passover.” This directly corresponds with Ephesians five: “even as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.” (We understand the paschal Lamb to be offered this time to be the spotless Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus.)

        Still consistent with Divine order: “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands. . .” John 13:3. Compare again Ephesians five, the seven “works” that He will perform in regard to His church.

“He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments.” “And the angel answered and said, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen!” Matt. 28:5,6. “Then cometh Simon Peter. . .went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie” John 20:6. The “supper” speaking of His sacrifice upon the tree; His death and burial. The rising from supper and laying aside of His garments show forth His resurrection.

“And took a towel, and girded himself” Towel, lention, a linen cloth, i.e. an apron. Strangely enough, Adam and Eve, when they perceived their nakedness, “sewed fig leaves together, and made themselvesaprons” But the scripture declares “the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” Rev. 19:8. Further, we are exhorted in I Peter 1:13 to gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In Ephesians 6:14 we are challenged to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. . .” Three words appear to stand out in these verses: righteousness, hope, and truth; and we are to be girded about with all of them. Adam’s fig leaves were the work of his hands, neither could they afford a covering for his nakedness. We shall have more to say about our Lord’s linen towel (apron).

“After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet”

Remember our comparisons: first, Christ loved the church; second, gave Himself for it; third, all things given into His hands; and now fourthly, “That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing ofwater by the Word. Notice those little articles, “with” and “by.” If our walk be defiled shall we not find the Word of God to be a “bason of water” suited for our cleansing? Are we not cleansed with the water? Yet it must be applied; and that, being by the Word. The water in the bason had the potential to cleanse the disciples’ feet; but He, Christ, the Word, did the act of washing. They came face to face with the Lord, He being girded about with righteousness and truth. Therefore realizing the defilement of their walk they should rightly confess it. But mere confessing will not suffice. They must submit their feet into His hands for cleansing.

So what does this mean to us? Remember, our Lord “rising from supper” and “laying aside His garments” shows forth His resurrection. But He rose from the grave that He might ascend into heaven! In Hebrews chapter four we find, “a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens.” He may be found upon the “throne of Grace.” He is “touched with our infirmities.” Through Him we may “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” In I John 1:9 we discover “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Let us look again at Ephesians chapter five. “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” That’spast. That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.” That’s present.Our High Priest, Advocate, and Intercessor is yet, by His own choosing, a servant. If we will only approach Him, owning our “feet” as defiled, He surely will wash them (sanctify and cleanse with thewashing of water by the Word). May we then, without delay, place our “feet” into His hands in willingness and submission. “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. But that it should be holy and without blemish.” That’s future!

As we promised, there is more to see concerning the towel. One thing should be obvious: you use a towel when you have finished washing. It then denotes a finished transaction! “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” It speaks further of fellowship. Children may not enjoy a bath, but what child is not warmed by his mother wrapping him up in a soft towel afterwards? Is it not an opportunity for her to hug him and display her love and affection for him? Indeed, how comforting the experience can be! And it’s not just any towel: it is the towel of righteousness, of hope and truth with which the Lord Himself was girded. Oh the unspeakable communion that may be afforded us if only we will allow Him to “wash our feet!”