- Please explain John 13 concerning feet washing. The Saviour, after washing the disciples' feet, said: "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." Was that to be observed by the disciples only in their time, or does it mean for all followers of Christ unto this day?
Why was the ordinance given? What was its object? Does the need exist now? 1. There was strife among the disciples, Luke tells us, as to which should be the greatest. Some wanted to rule, and have the others serve them. Jesus the Master became the lowliest of servants. 2. The object of the ordinance was to teach them that in Love's kingdom the greatest did the most and best service, and the lowliest, too, if called for. "I am among you," said He on another occasion, "as he that doth serve." He wanted to teach them their absolute equality as brethren, as sons of a common Father, as servants of a common Master. 3. Is it not needed now? Is there not the same old strife as to who should be the greatest? Do we not have lord priests and bishops and archbishops and popes? O, if Christ's instructions had been followed, we would never have had the orders and classes and castes in the church of Christ which now exist. Forever would Christ's words have been true, "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." We have the counterfeit of it preserved in the Roman Church, where once a year it is said the pope washes the feet of twelve beggars. There is no reason in the world, then, except human pride, why our Lord's example should not be perpetuated; and the pride is not a reason, for it demands its continuance. 5. Note that it was not a mere act of hospitality that Jesus performed; for Peter knew what that meant, but he did not know this act of our Lord. Verse 7. The real knowledge of its meaning would only come through spiritual enlightenment. It was necessary for Peter to take part in this and so learn the lowly spirit of true service, or he would separate from his Lord. Verse 8. And, finally, there is no limitation of duration or place in the words of Christ: "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought [are obligated] to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you. . . . If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them." Verses 14-17. What would not the Sunday-keeper give for such evidence as this for Sunday observance? He would ask no more. He would deem it all-sufficient. Is it not sufficient for the perpetuation of feet washing, rightly called the ordinance of humility?