Foot washing..........Is it a command?

Many churches today use Jesus' example of washing His disciples feet as a church ordinance, saying that it is a commandment of God. It wasn't uncommon for early Christians to wash a guests feet at their home as an act of hospitality and during church it was done by the humblest of servants with sincere humility. Is it a commandment? Should a church have it as part of their church ordinance? Most church leaders who practice foot-washing, point to the passage in John 13:1-16 as proof that our Lord and Savior was giving us a command. As we study scripture we can't take what is being said out of context and be mindful of the culture in those times. In the book of John chapter 13, we have to recognize the emphasis on the person's inner character or heart and not so much the physical aspect of what the verse is saying.

John 13:4-7 After supper Jesus began to wash His disciples feet, "he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet..." Jesus is teaching them humility and servant leadership. Then in verse 7, "what I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." Jesus explains their not going to understand right away, but He is setting an example for them to follow: Charitable deeds and acts of humility are duties that all Christians should follow.

Luke 22:24-27 "and there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. But he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." The disciples were in a kind of debate with each other about their respective positions in the coming Kingdom. Jesus, upon hearing them argue, set an example of servitude and leadership.

1 Timothy 5:10 "well reported of for good works...if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints feet..." Studying the context, this is simply some qualifications for a widow in helping the church. Having "good works", such as showing humility or hospitality in washing the "saints feet" is a qualification widows must have if their wanting to help the church.

Luke 7:44 Jesus said to Simon, "see 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." The woman must have felt genuine gratitude and a tremendous amount of humbleness in seeing our Lord Jesus.

1 Samuel 25:41 "Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord." Here, David sends his servants to Abigail, a woman he wants to marry. Abigail offers her handmaids to wash their feet as a form of hospitality and gratitude.

Genesis 18:4 Abraham was greeted by three angels. Notice that he did not wash their feet, but allowed water to be brought so they may wash their own feet.

Final thoughts
It was common practice in ancient times for the household servants to wash the feet of guests. Due to people wearing sandals and the combination of the mud and dirt on the roads people traveled, it was a continuous problem. When Jesus washed the disciples feet, He was teaching that those who lead must also serve, being humble and gracious. The feet are always apt to contract some dirt or dust, just as we are always apt to sin, so the foulness of the feet when the rest is clean symbolizes our earthly faults. As Christians we are to spiritually cleanse daily through prayer, kindness, or other forms of servitude. Foot washing is an act of servitude, but there are many forms of servitude that can be practiced everyday by Christians.

Dont see a command given anywhere. Examples of sacrificial love yes but I do not see where Jesus commands to wash people's feet. They are lessons that teach us a deeper truth. I agree with your conclusion.

John 13:14-15 sounds like a commandment. Should we take a chance that it is not a commandment, and not wash each others feet when we meet together, the same as taking of the wine and bread?

16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

What is important the act or the lesson?

I can find no compelling evidence outside of John 13 this is for the church today, and I used to be a big believer in feet washing. In fact, if a church did not practice it, I wouldn't want to be associated with that church. In 1 Cor. 11, Apostle Paul clearly lays out the communion and nary a mention of feet washing was given. So, I wouldn't say its an ordinance for the church today. The two ordinances are the believer's baptism and communion.

Joh 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Joh 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus said if Peter did not allow Jesus to wash his feet then Peter had no part in Him.

Which Jesus was showing Peter not only humbleness but to help people that have need in their life that Peter should address it that extends farther than only caring about feeding them, and clothing them.

Whatever their need is which they might need help with something and if you have the time help them.

But I do not believe that this is a commandment that we have to wash people's feet.

But it is speaking in general if people have a need that needs to be addressed to help them with that need whatever it may be, whether feeding them, clothing them, helping them with their financial needs, emotional needs, help with something, and wherever they have a need.

Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Peter could of washed his own feet easily but Jesus was showing him to help people if they have a need, and do unto them as Jesus has done to them, and if Jesus is Lord and Master the greatest of all helped them with their need which it seemed like He would have to stoop down to wash their feet, then it will surely be required of them to do the same.

Back then their feet could get quite dirty so that is a genuine need if they entered a house and for good hygiene so Jesus addressed that need.

Feet washing does not need to be done in Church for they do not have a need for they are wearing shoes, and are not dirty, and many have cleaned up before going to Church, so it would not be a necessity to have to wash their feet, and they can wash their own feet for if people can do it on their own then they do not need help, and it is not a need that somebody should address.

And to do it to show humbleness is not necessary for their attitude by the way they act, and deal with people will show their humbleness.

Give coats to people who need them, or food at the Church, sure, but feet washing is not a necessity concerning Churches today unless people live in a place where they go to Church with dirty feet.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Jesus said I had need and you helped me, but the righteous said when did we see you in need and helped you, and Jesus said when you show love to the saints by addressing their needs it is the same as if you did it to me for Jesus is also human and love, and it is His ways.

Which Jesus said the same thing to those on His left hand, the wicked, that because they did not help the poor and needy it was the same as if they done it unto Him so they could not inherit eternal life.

So Jesus' lesson is to help people with their needs, even humbling yourselves, even stooping low to do it, but if feet washing is not a necessity in the Church then why do it.

I understand the humbleness part of it, but I do not believe it is the humbleness part of it alone that is the lesson but it is accompanied with a need too, for Jesus also addressed a need Peter had to wash his feet.

So in the Church to do feet washing they might say it is humbleness we are learning, but it must also accompany the need that they have to have their feet washed to make the lesson complete.

But in America where people have the access to be clean and they wear shoes where is the need if they can wash their feet themselves, unless someone that is homeless is wearing sandals and their feet is dirty a lot and they have no access to wash them.

Do we feed the rich and famous and say we are addressing a need.

Do we build a house for someone for free that has 50,000,000 dollars, and say I am addressing a need.

Do we help people who are physically able to help themselves, and the means to do it, and say we are addressing a need.

So the lesson seems to be humbleness with addressing a need, which I do not want to say anything wrong if the lesson is only humbleness but Jesus also addressed a need.

And Jesus said if we help the saints with their needs then it is the same as if we done it unto Him, so Jesus wants us to help the saints with their needs, which His new commandment is the saints love each other as He loves them.

Which the world is motivated by selfishness, and self exaltation, which people use money to be selfish, and to exalt themselves above other people, and many do not want to take the time to help other people for it is their precious time.

So to feed the poor and needy is humbleness as you are giving up finances to sacrifice you exalting yourself or enjoying things of the world to help people showing they are just as important as you.

And taking the time to help people is humbleness for you are showing that you care about them and your time is important to help other people taking time out of their life to do it instead of enjoying their life and what they want.

So to help people with their needs is humbleness for you are saying they are just as important to you with your finances and your time, where the world will want to exalt themselves with their finances, and to enjoy their life without using their precious time to help others.

Can I share something on this? Its ok.. take with a grain of salt on part. But.. true none the less. We use to go to this Church where they would wash each others feet. I never ever would go.. no way lol. On day reading about how she washed His feet with her tears. I really wanted to know why she was crying so much. I was on my knees head on the floor and.... He just walked up. Couldn't see HIm but oh praise God He was there.. just His feet. I could not stop crying and crying and crying.

A few days later I called my mom which I did ever week (shes gone home now). And we talked and .. this is what she said "Danny I was at Church Sunday and I saw Jesus".. ok this is not something that .well ever happens. I say "...ok.. what did you see" she said "I saw Jesus up front in the air. He was standing at His side. There was someone in a ball on there knees at His feet crying. was that you?".. WOW right.. I NEVER needed God to confirm what happened. I know now why she cried.. and to just think of this makes me cry..

I would stay at His feet for ever.. I would wash anyone feet.. To give you and idea of things like this happening in my life.. this kind of things has only happened twice in 59 years. Had many other things but.. oh man I wish pray it was EVERY day. Praise GOD

It is a direct commandment of Jesus, and nothing could be more clear that such commandment, and all who cavil at it, will cavil at all else:

Washing the exalted Foot of Pride, Cutting The Root of Sin, Satan and Selfishness

The example and commandment of Christ Jesus


Example:



The commandment:


Example and Commandment, again:



The washing of the feet by Jesus, is the cutting away of pride. All who refuse to wash feet, are too proud to do so, and all who refuse to have their feet washed are too proud to do so.

It is a direct commandment of Jesus, and nothing could be more clear that such commandment, and all who cavil at it, will cavil at all else (even as they do now):

Men are as trees:


Thus every man in Christ Jesus, is to be as "every tree of the garden" of Eden restored that all men may come in and freely eat of, partaking of the gospel fruit, especially the Gardener, who comes in the cool of the day and looks for the fruit of the Spirit ~ Love.


Nebuchadnezzar himself was likened unto a Tree:



When John the Baptist came, it was said:



A “root” is that part of the “tree” which is generally “in the earth” [Daniel 4:15,23 KJB], and “beneath” [Job 18:16; Amos 2:9 KJB] or “under” [Ezekiel 17:6 KJB] the soil, or “spreadeth out … by the river” [Jeremiah 17:8 KJB], often “wrapped about the heap … the place of stones” [Job 8:17 KJB].

Any “tree” which was “cut down”, by “the axe” which is “laid unto the root of the trees” [Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9 KJB] or “plucked up by the roots” [Psalms 52:5; Daniel 7:8; Jude 1:12 KJB], it is “twice dead” [Jude 1:12 KJB], having no hope, it is even as the “second death” [Revelation 2:10, 20:6,14, 21:8 KJB].

But, as it is written, if a “tree” be cut down, yet not to the root, but to even to the Stump with roots left intact in the earth, it still has hope, “For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.” [Job 14:7 KJB].

King Nebuchadnezzar [II] of [Neo] Babylon, was “purge[d]” [pruned; John 15:2 KJB] in such a way [Daniel 4:15,23,26 KJB], and was delivered from destruction, and shall be in the Kingdom of Heaven [Daniel 4:1-3,36,37 KJB].

Thus the "feet" of man is the stump of man, and the toes the roots that dig into the earth. Jesus wanted to wash away the pride from the heart, from the walk of men.

Notice, like Nebuchadnezzar and a giant image of man, in Daniel 2-3, but in Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar is like a tree, thus the Image of a (beastial) man (Dan. 2, 4 & 7), may be compared to the Tree, where in the "Stone" (Christ Jesus) cut out of the "Mountain" (the Kingdom of God in Heaven) "strikes" the "feet and toes", for it would not willingly humble itself before God (Dan. 3:1, heights in the heavens, whose head reached to the clouds, I will be like the most high, Isa. 14:14, Dan. 4:30), and so:


Even as the summer threshingfloor:



The example and commandment of Christ Jesus, is to cut the pride out of man, to prune it away by humble service to God and one another. All who do not, but resist the example and commandment of Jesus, will betray Christ and their brethren, for a tree cannot but bring forth the fruit of its kind:


As the foot of pride is lifted up against Him:


Why then do you not follow the Lamb and obey His commandment to wash feet and to be washed when you gather for the Lord's Supper? What excuses?

To the OP..... no.

I like the read, it seems it might have been a reference to judges 19:20-21, seems the washing the feet was about being clean from traveling sometimes in the Bible.

20“Peace to you,” said the old man. “Let me supply everything you need. Only do not spend the night in the square.” 21So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.

If we want to follow Him, humble service is our call.

Wonders who here washes the feets of others. Well, I mean of those who believe it is a command that is....

I consider it an example to be followed.

You asking for confessions, i haven’t like symbolically or anything in front of people, when do you do it at church or when you spend time with others or someone who is injured can’t walk need help washing or on a street corner. where’s the best place to wash feet and what are some examples.

I think it doesn't matter when or where, just that our hearts are intent on serving. I believe He was washing His point home about service and humility more than specifically washing feet. He showed that a true servant of God is willing, even eager to care for. I just see that some see it as a command and so I am curious if those that do, do this. I think it could present some awkward moments, lol. Would you feel comfortable having your feet washed by a brother? Those were all good examples.

And actually we are to love others as ourselves but consider others more important and I think washing feet exemplifies that well. Yes, an example of service. That our Lord and Savior humbled Himself to serve us, no greater act of selfless love than Him.

I do not always serve as I should but when I look to His example, I am inspired to do better.

A
I’ve been reading judges 19, I like the part were the old man shows a willingness to serve offering his home a place of rest and wash up and eat relax from traveling but after that it get quite graphic and vulgar kind of hard to read at the end the woman is chopped up into twelve pieces, I’m not mentioning the most graphic part read it yourself but that was horrible what happened.

Wow, thanks for sharing. I am sure you miss your mom terribly. What a beautiful experience that must have been for her. God Bless you for loving Him the way you do. Lord, thank You always for Your revealing.

I take a deep breath as that book is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with unsettling calamity and gory visuals. It sure does point, though, to our need for our King. We see so vividly just how horrifically wretched humans are with out Him.

Yea and how little men respected women, in the story the old man said don’t do such vile thing, here is my virgin daughter and his concubine, you can do what ever with them and I thought at first he was a nice old man for giving them a place to wash up eat and sleep maybe not