The Ordinance of Humility by E. W. WEBSTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 23, 1910

The Ordinance of Humility

By E. W. WEBSTER

E. W. WEBSTER

There are many who wonder why the instruction in the thirteenth chapter of John is not obeyed by the churches to-day, while other honest souls have never had their attention called to it. Still others reject it entirely, because it is not agreeable to the natural heart, excusing their disobedience on the ground that all that is necessary, and all that the Lord requires, is merely that his children be humble enough to do it, but that the act itself is not really commanded.

Just preceding the occasion on which this instruction was given, the disciples had been disputing about which should have the highest place in the kingdom; they were not clean of heart, nor fit to receive the bread and the wine which Christ was about to give them, emblems of true communion,—a thing they were not really enjoying. Instead, there was alienation and dissension. Jesus desired to wash all this away, and at the same time establish an ordinance for the church that would always take away similar feelings and conditions, and prepare the participants for the communion service.

It was the custom of the Jews to have the service of feet-washing performed before partaking of the passover supper. But because of the feeling in their hearts toward one another on this occasion, each apostle refused to perform this duty. Jesus waited a while, to see if they would do it. Then he, their Lord and Master, did what was their duty. He washed the feet of Judas first. This act of humility and love nearly melted the heart of Judas; but soon his feelings rebelled as he saw the Saviour so humble himself, and he decided not to own him

longer, and immediately gave himself over to Satan.

When Jesus came to Peter, that disciple said, proudly, “Dost thou wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” From these words it is plain that the Saviour was doing something more than merely washing the feet of his disciples; there was more in it than the outward menial act involved. “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Jesus did not say, “If I wash not thy feet, thou hast no part with me;” but, “If I wash thee not.” Then the washing of the feet is emblematic of a higher spiritual washing and cleansing. Peter saw it, and surrendered his pride and self-will, saying, “Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” He might have said, “And my heart, too;” for that was what was really done. This yielding to the Lord’s way in this matter was a surrender of heart on the part of the disciples which enabled the Saviour to say of them, “Ye are clean.” All were clean but Judas, who would not yield his heart to be cleansed.

After he had washed their feet, Jesus said, “Know ye what I have done to you?” Certainly they knew he had washed their feet. His question implies that something more had been done,—there had been a cleansing of heart from pride and self-importance. He was their Lord and Master, the Creator of heaven and earth, yet he did not esteem himself too high and important to do an act of humble service. Should they? Should we? What a rebuke to pride, jealousy, and arrogance!

Now come the words that establish this act as an ordinance of the church: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Ought is a command, an obligation. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Verse 15. If here is something we should do, how can we comply with the instruction without performing the act? An example is something for us to follow.

Notice the statement of the blessing that is in this ordinance: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Not, Happy are ye if ye think or say ye are humble enough to do them, but, “Happy are ye if ye do them.” How many blessings and joys are lost because this soul-cleansing, heart-melting ordinance is not observed more generally in its true spirit and meaning! Of this it might truly be said, “I will show thee my faith by my works.”

Though the disciples had before been perfectly cleansed physically, it was necessary now to cleanse away the lesser uncleanness of dust, that they might be fit bodily for the holy service they were about to engage in. Even so, they had once been cleansed from the great life-sin, when they accepted the Saviour; but there had been many lesser defilements since then, and before they were prepared for the bread and the wine,—emblems which typified a unity with one another and with Christ’s Spirit,—they must be cleansed again.

So we were once cleansed by Jesus in baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), when we accepted him; but since then we have committed sins and are defiled thereby, many times finding ourselves unclean. However, we are not thereby entirely separated from God and cast off forever from being his children; but we need cleansing again before we are prepared to take the emblems that typify a perfect unity with his holy, sinless life. The ordinance of feet-washing, coming before the communion service, gives time and opportunity to have everything cleansed from the heart and life that would unfit us for the latter holy service; and if rightly used, it is a great blessing to those who engage in it. Hearts are melted, lives and interests united.

But the ordinance of feet-washing was given to the church for another purpose also. Paul exhorts the believers thus: “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself.” Phil. 2:5-8, A. R. V. After he became a man, he still further humbled himself,—he stooped so low as to become a servant of sinful men, and to wash the feet of servants, who were too proud and haughty to do that humble act themselves.

His coming to this earth, becoming a man, and suffering for us was as much a part of the work of salvation as his death on the cross, or his burial and resurrection. Why not as worthy of a memorial as the other two events? He gave us memorials of his death in the bread and the wine (1 Cor. 11:23-26), and of his burial and resurrection in baptism (Rom. 6:5-6); why not one also for his great humility? The ordinance of feet-washing is a constant reminder of this very important part of his work.

If all Christians in all churches had always followed this instruction, and practised this ordinance with its real significance continually in mind, how could pride and worldliness, jealousy and faultfinding, variance and alienation, arrogance and love of supremacy, ever have come into the church, and driven out so largely the meekness, humility, love, and unity that should ever mark the followers of Christ, and keep them separate from the world and its contaminating, blighting influences? It never could have been done. And as God’s people accept and practise this ordinance again, it will bring back the graces and virtues that will make them a peculiar people, and will fit them for a home, of love and harmony, joy and peace. May each of us have a part in this joy here and hereafter.

Seventh-day Adventists do not believe in or practise promiscuous washing of feet in the observance of this ordinance. They separate the congregation, the men washing the feet of the men, and the women the feet of the women, each class in a room by themselves. Wherever this sacred ordinance is observed, proper decorum, decency, and order should characterize the proceedings. With carefulness and circumspection let us serve the Lord in every ordinance of his house, being careful that we give none occasion for our good to be evil spoken of.

Orlando, Fla.