FEET WASHING
An Ordinance of Worship?
By Voy Wilks
11\10\83
Revised 7127\94
Since ancient times the washing of feet has been done for various reasons:
(1) Travelers washed their own feet for personal comfort, and for removing the dust of travel. The host sometimes furnished the water (Gen. 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24; Jud. 19:21).
(2) The priests, Aaron and his sons, washed their own hands and feet for both cleanliness and for ritual purposes (Ex. 30:19, 21; 40:31).
(3) Washing the feet of another person was a gesture of submission to the authority of that person (Sam. 25:41).
(4) The washing of feet was a duty when tending the sick (1 Tim. 5:10).
(5) Washing another's feet was sometimes an expression of respect, love, worship, or of repentance (Lk. 7:37-50; Jn. 12:3).
An interesting bit of information is taken from The New Bible Dictionary, Eerdman's Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI; Article: Foot, Pages 433,434, as follows:
"The necessity to wash the feet, for comfort and cleanliness, resulted from dusty roads, and foot washing was a sign of hospitality, generally performed by the meanest slave ...”
The principle Scripture which we wish to study at this time is in St. John Chapter 13. Verse one should be discussed briefly. The KJV and the RSV, among others, do not make the message clear, so notice the Lamsa Version, please.
"Now before the feast of Passover, Yahshua knew that the hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. He loved his own who were in the world, and loved them to the end" (Jn. 13:1).
This clearly states that the Messiah knew beforehand that he would die at Passover. I wish to suggest that John does not say the events described in Jn. 13:2-17 happened before the Passover, as some believe. This is also made clear in other versions, such as NAB, BBE, NEB, TLB, Beck, Moffatt, Knox, Phillips, and Wilson.
John 13 was the night of the Passover (Abib 14), as is shown when we compare the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke. The washing of feet took place during the Passover meal (Jn. 13:2, 4, 26-28, 30).
Now, please review Jn. 13:3-17. After the Master had washed the Apostles' feet, they understood why he did so. But do we understand?
It is often overlooked, but for a considerable length of time there had been an on-going quarrel among the twelve Apostles. Let us examine the Scriptures and learn about these quarrels.
“Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him, ... Command these two sons of mine to sit, one on your right hand and one on your left, in your kingdom. ... He said to them, ... to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by my Father. And when the ten heard it THEY WERE INDIGNANT at the two brothers.
"But Yahshua called them unto him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them; but whosoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even the son of man came not to be served, but to serve, ..." (Mt. 20:20-28).
The Apostles James and John, with their mother, made the request, a practical one, as they viewed the situation. They had hopes of becoming ministers in a kingdom which Yahshua would set up then and there. The other Apostles were INDIGNANT however. Mark speaks of this also.
"And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ...said to him, Grant us to sit one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory. ... And when the ten heard it they were indignant at James and John.
"And Yahshua ... said unto them, You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be slave of all"(Mk. 10:35-44).
This event took place when the Messiah and his disciples were on the road going up from the Jordan to Jerusalem (Mt.19:1; 20:17; Mk. 10:1, 32, 33). Why were the other men indignant? Because this was not the first time this had happened. Earlier this group went into Galilee (Mt.17:22 24; Mk. 9:30, 33).
"And they came to Capernaum; and ... he asked them. What were you discussing on the way? But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed ... which was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve; and said to them, If anyone would be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all." (Mk. 9:30-37).
Even before this the disciples came to Yahshua and asked him, "Who is the GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven?" (Mt.18:1).
This seems like an innocent question. Yes indeed. Who is the greatest in the Kingdom? Abraham, Isaac, Enoch, Noah? But this was not an innocent question. These men expected the Messiah to name one of themselves as the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Now to continue:
“At that time came the disciple to Yahshua saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Yahshua called a little child 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 the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt.18:1-4).
Notice closely. Except you (my disciples) are converted you (my disciples) will not enter the kingdom. What? The Apostles were not converted? Apparently not. Something had gone wrong; terribly wrong. The Chosen Twelve had become arrogant – proud. They were competing for honor and prestige. They had forgotten that the righteous must "outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom.12:10). Therefore they needed conversion (repentance).
In the remainder of Matthew Chapter 18 Yahshua lectured the Apostles about consideration of others, forgiving one another (Mt.18:8, 10, 15). Now to summarize Yahshua's thoughts in Matthew the 18th chapter:
"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you [punish you] if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses" (Mt 18:35).
On one occasion Yahshua went up on a mountain, taking with him three disciples, and was transfigured before them (Lk. 9:28-35). Which three accompanied him? It was Peter, James and John. This may have had some bearing on what took place on the following day.
"And the next day ... an ARGUMENT arose [among the Twelve] as to which of them was the greatest. But when Yahshua perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side and said to them, Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the greatest" (Lk. 9:37, 46-48).
Perhaps the Apostles did not appreciate this message on humility, especially James and John, as is indicated by the next verse:
"John answered, Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us. But Yahshua said to him, Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you" (Lk. 9:49, 50).
Do we detect a bit of arrogance in John's remark? A little conceit? The verses which follow are also revealing:
"When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; but the people would not receive him. …And when the disciples James and John saw it, they said, Master, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them? But he turned and rebuked them ..." (Lk. 9:51-56).
The twelve Apostles, and later the Seventy, did wonderful works (Lk.10:1, 17), but truly; it seems that some of the Apostles became overly impressed with themselves. Competition seems to have continued, even to the time of the Last Supper when once again an ARGUMENT AROSE AMONG THEM AS TO WHO WOULD BE THE greatest:
"And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the Apostles with him. And he said to them, I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; ... And a DISPUTE AROSE AMONG THEM, which of them was to be regard-ed as the GREATEST" (Lk. 22:14-24).
"And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather let the greatest among you become as the youngest and the leader as one who serves. For which is greater, one who sits at the table or one who serves? But I am among you as one who serves" Lk. 2:25-27).
Think of this. On several occasions the Apostles disputed among themselves about who would be the greatest. Would they never learn? Would they never be converted? Yahshua had lectured them. He had emphasized the necessity of humility. He had placed a little child in their midst as an example of what their attitude should be.
All his efforts failed. As time went on, the dispute grew worse, not better. Instead of being converted and becoming humble, the Apostles became even more arrogant, especially James and John.
Therefore on the night before his death, Yahshua gave the Apostles a most powerful lesson in humility. Just as the last words of a beloved relative are impressed on our minds, so it was that the Messiah determined to make an impression on the Apostles.
"He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; ... and washed the disciples feet" (Jn. 13:4, 5).
When the Messiah finished washing their feet, he said to them:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Bv this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (Jn. 13:34, 35).
After washing their feet (John 13:4-17), the Messiah continued to (1) lecture the Apostles, and (2) pray for them, that they would love one another, even as he loved the Father (John 13:18 to 17:26). At last the Apostles were impressed. At last they understood. They must not exalt themselves, but must humble themselves and serve others. Entering the kingdom of heaven depends on this. When John was an old man he wrote,
"And this is his commandment that we should believe in the name of the Son, Yahshua the Messiah, and love one another just as he [Yahshua] has commanded us …" (1 Jn. 3:23).
When we truly love a brother, we will honor, esteem and exalt that person. We will not try to exalt ourselves above him. The Twelve finally understood. The Apostle Paul said it very well indeed:
“Let love be genuine; ... love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom. 12:9 RSV).
Never again did the Apostles exalt themselves above another. We have writings from several of the Apostles.
The Apostle Peter, for example, wrote with much gentleness, and humility. The Apostle John also wrote, stressing the importance of love; love for Yahweh and love for the brethren. We must love, even to the point of laying down our lives for the brethren (1 Jn. 3:16). He who does not love abides in death (1 Jn. 3:14).
We should not overlook this point: it was the Apostle John who wrote extensively about love. It was the Apostle John who wrote about Yahshua washing the disciples' feet. None of the other disciples wrote of this event.
On the other hand, it was the other disciples who wrote of the numerous arguments about who was to be the greatest. They noted the arrogance of James and John. John, however, did not write of these things. He did not even mention these arguments. Why was this? No doubt it was because John was the most guilty.
As all of us know, it is much easier to report unflattering things about someone else than about ourselves. In this, perhaps John was the same as you and me. He did not bother to "tell all" on himself, but stressed the final message of Yahshua; perfect love of the brethren. He got the message when Yahshua washed his feet. This changed his whole outlook, evidently.
The fact that the other writers did not mention the Master washing the feet of the disciples is a strong indication that they did not consider this an ORDINANCE OF WORSHIP. Neither should we.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and the Apostle Paul wrote about the Passover (the Last Supper) in 31 C.E. None of these writers tie feet washing to the Passover service. They would surely have done so for our benefit, if it was intended to become an ordinance of worship - a part of the Passover service.
If, as some believe, feet washing is an integral part of the Passover service, does it not seem strange that the Apostle Paul made no mention of it when he wrote instructions to the Saints at Corinth? (1 Cor. 10:16-21; 11:23-34). Paul wrote that he had received from Yahshua the things of importance (which had been added to the Passover service). Feet washing was not among them.
The Diaglott gives a helpful footnotes on Jn. 13:5:
“At the time our [Master] performed this office, it was esteemed the office of the meanest slaves. This act plainly showed the humility and condescension of [Yahshua], and emphatically taught the same to his disciples."
Yes, Yahshua taught humility in this act. Perhaps I will be forgiven for pointing out that washing feet as an ordinance of worship does not make us humble. Some who make this a yearly ordinance are anything but humble. Some are quite arrogant, in fact.
Please notice that Scriptures give humility as the reason Yahshua washed the feet of the disciples:
“A dispute arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; ... but not so with you; rather let the greatest among you be as the youngest and the leader as one who serves" (Lk. 22:24-26; Jn. 13:15, 16).
These reports (just referred to) occurred on the night in which Yahshua washed the disciples feet. These make it clear he did not intend feet washing to be an ordinance of worship. Instead, Yahshua gave us a Principle a way of life. Humility must be maintained at all times – daily. Humility should establish our life-style. Rather than desiring to be lords over others, we must be of humble service to others.
Those who wash feet as an ordinance of worship prove by this action that they do not understand the message which the Messiah conveyed to his disciples. His message is lost to them; as if it had never been given. He plainly asked the disciples,
"Do you know what I have done to you?" (Jn. 13:12).
He then immediately answered his own question.
You call me Teacher and Master; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Master and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE, that you should do as l have done to you. Truly, truly, ... a servant is not greater than his Master; nor is he who is sent greater that he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" (Jn. 13:12-17 RSV).
Again, the question: "Do you know what I have done to you?" To the disciples this probably seemed like a foolish question, since all knew that he had washed their feet. He did not say to them, "OK, men. I am establishing a ritual. You must wash each other's feet at the Passover service every year." No. He did not say this.
Obviously, Yahshua had a more significant motive for washing the feet of the disciples than to establish a yearly ritual; a motive which was not immediately obvious to the disciples. Therefore he explained his actions:
You (my disciples) must not be as the Gentiles, lording it over your brethren. Instead, you are to be servants, humbling yourselves while exalting your brother. Those who would be greatest among you must be as the youngest.
If Yahshua's actions were only to establish a holy ritual, why speak of the youngest, since all were mature men? There was more to this event than simply washing feet as a "holy ritual." Brethren, let us accept the Messiah's explanation for washing the disciples' feet. He explained his actions in this way:
Do not act as the Gentiles. They lord It over others. It shall not be so among you. Let the greatest of you become as a slave; the youngest. In other words, humble yourselves, brethren.
Some brethren have said that every commandment must be stated by two witnesses (two writers). Let us for a moment assume that John did act as a witness in making feet washing as an ordinance of worship. If so, where is the second witness? There is none. Even so, these same brethren would have us believe that feet washing is an integral part of the Passover service; on the witness of one man. Do I detect an inconstancy here?
SUMMARY
(1) John wanted to forbid others the right to cast out demons in Yahshua’s name. Could this have been a feeling of exclusiveness? Superiority?
(2) James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village; not exactly a spirit of good will, nor is it a glowing example of, “love your enemies; do good to those who hate you” (Lk. 6:27-36; Pro. 25:20, 22; Rom. 12:14-21).
(3) Only one witness (John) wrote about feet washing in 31 C.E. No other writer mentions this supposed important addition to the Passover service, if indeed it is to be recognized as a part of the Passover.
(4) If feet washing was intended to be an ordinance of the Passover, the Apostle Paul would have reported it to the Corinthians when he gave them the important ordinances which they were to follow.
(5) The Apostles disputed among themselves which was to be the greatest. This happened on several occasions, as here indicated:
· In Galilee,
· Near Capernaum,
· On the Jericho road, and finally,
· In Jerusalem at the Last Supper.
(6) All this indicates the Apostles felt too keenly their own importance. Especially was this true of James and John. On several occasions the Messiah tried, but failed to reach them with this message: maintain an humble perspective – an humble life-style.
(7) This one time the Messiah washed the disciples feet. Why? To impress upon them this lifestyle, “Don’t lord it over other brethren. To be great in the kingdom, you must in this life be a servant to others.”
(8) As a last effort, Yahshua tried once again at the Last Supper (the day of his death). This time he succeeded mightily in showing that he who will be great in the eyes of Yahweh must be the humble servant of all. The Gentiles lord it over others, but it shall not be so among you. There must be no competition among brethren, except to “outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10).
CONCLUSION
In view of the evidence given above it seems clear that the washing of feet was never intended to become an Ordinance of Worship, a ceremony, a ritual. It was never intended to be a part of the Passover. Instead, it was an example of the life-style which we (as Saints) must follow.
In washing the disciples feet, Yahshua demonstrated how to be meek and lowly, attributes we must adopt as a way of life. We must not exalt ourselves as lords over our brethren. The Gentiles do this. It must not be so among us. Whoever would be great among us must be slave of all. Our attitude (our life-style) should be an humble one – every day.
This should be our way of life 365 days each year; not just at the Passover Service – one night in the year. The Apostle Paul said it very effectively when writing to the Saints in Rome:
"For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly that he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, … Outdo one another in showing honor. ... Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited" (Rom. 12:3,10, 16 RSV).I
Halleluyah! So be it.