p. 165 | FEET WASHING by Uriah Smith

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 22, 1862

FEET WASHING.

By Uriah Smith

No fact is more definitely recorded than that our Lord, on the occasion of the institution of the last supper, girded himself with a towel and washed the feet of his disciples. John xiii. What the intent of this ceremony was, has been the subject of much speculation. Was this act of the Lord's, something he designed his followers to perform? or did he only design to teach that we should cherish such a spirit of humility and service, as he manifested? Was it designed as a church ordinance, as much as partaking of the bread and wine? or was it only an act of hospitality? These are the questions to be decided; and between these two the whole matter rests. The usual objection against its being a church ordinance is that it was designed simply to teach the disciples a lesson of humility and hospitality; while it must be universally conceded, if anything more than this was meant, that our Saviour here set an example which he designed his followers to practice to the letter.

All then that is necessary to show that Christ here gave an ordinance to his church, is to prove that this act was not performed by our Lord on account of any physical uncleanness in the disciples, or in reference to the customs of hospitality existing at that time. With this fact once established, no other signification can be given to the Saviour's act and language, but that he set an example which he designed his disciples to follow in all coming time.

1. It is claimed, first, then, that in the East, where people went for the most part with the feet protected only by sandals, it was the custom for individuals to wash the feet of their guests; and that on this custom our Lord's act of feet-washing was based. But those who urge this position, mistake; for, so far as we can learn from the sacred record, the custom was, not for individuals to wash the feet of their guests, but to furnish them water, in order that they might themselves wash them. Thus, Abraham, Gen. xviii, 4, did not wash the feet of his guests, but only requested them to let a little water be brought that they might wash their own feet. Precisely so it was with Lot, when the angels came to him. Gen. xix, 2. He besought them to turn into his house, and wash their feet, not that he would wash them. So with Abraham's servant: water was given that he might wash his feet. Gen. xxiv, 23. So with Joseph's brethren. Gen. xliii, 24. See also Judges xix, 21. Not such a ceremony as this took place in that upper chamber where Jesus and his disciples were assembled on the night of his betrayal. Our Lord's act, then, was not based upon the customs of those times.

2. Had the washing of the disciples' feet been designed to set them an example of hospitality in accordance with existing customs, they would of course have understood it; for it cannot be supposed that they were ignorant of the usages of hospitality pertaining to their time. But it seems they did not understand it. It was to them surprising and unexpected. Peter rose up in opposition and refused to have the ceremony performed on him; and Jesus expressly said to him, "What I do thou knowest not now."

3. The washing Christ performed for his disciples, did not have reference to their personal comfort or outward cleanliness. When Jesus made to Peter the startling declaration that unless he washed him he had no part with him, then Peter in his usual zealous manner, was ready to submit not his feet only, but also his hands and his head. Now if reference is had to outward cleanliness, we must understand Christ to say to Peter that unless he washed his feet in order to cleanse them from the dust, &c., which might adhere to them, and by which they would be soiled, while walking from the bath, he could have no part with him—no share in his salvation! This would be absurd. And to show that he does not refer to physical cleanliness, Christ adds, "And ye are clean, but not all." In what respect were they not all clean? Physically? No. The next verse explains: "For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean."

4. It is argued that feet-washing cannot be an ordinance of the church; for "all ordinances are calculated to lead the mind to the great Author of our salvation." But we ask, Does not this ordinance lead our minds to him? Who could perform it, as instituted by our Redeemer, without having his mind called to him? It is as effectual a remembrancer of his humility, as is the supper of his death, or baptism of his burial and resurrection.

5. It is said that it would be contrary to a sense of propriety for males and females to engage together in this ordinance; but to separate them is contrary to the spirit of the gospel. It is sufficient to reply that a strict adherence to the examples set us in the sacred record, involves no breach of propriety. We have the example of females washing the feet of males, but not vice versa.

6. Feet-washing, it is claimed again, is enumerated in the catalogue of good works, and hence cannot be a church ordinance; for had it been, Paul would not have enumerated this one to the exclusion of the other ordinances, among good works. See 1 Tim. v, 10. Those who make this claim, in order to sustain it, must show that what might be a good work on one occasion, might not on another occasion, and under different circumstances, be a religious ordinance. We have not yet seen any attempt in this direction.

7. It is objected, further, that feet-washing is never mentioned as an ordinance, whereas we have frequent mention of the breaking of bread. In answer, we inquire, is not the partaking of the cup, equally an ordinance with the breaking of bread, and equally imperative? No one will deny that it is. But have we not frequent mention of the latter, without a specification of the former? We have; and the omission can be accounted for only on the ground that it is an inseparable branch of the ordinance, and is therefore included under the general name of breaking of bread. So with the washing of feet. If it was instituted at the same time, and in connection with the supper, and is enjoined in as express terms as is either eating the bread or drinking the wine, which indeed it is, why is it not also an inseparable portion of the ordinance, and likewise included in the expression, breaking of bread? These questions answer themselves, and show us that it is.

8. Finally, say some, it was only an act on the part of the Saviour to show us that we must be humble. Very well. How can we better show our humility than by following the example which he has set us?

9. Mark the Saviour's language in the explanation of the ceremony. When he had finished washing their feet, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? He now proceeds, according to his promise to Peter that he should know afterward what he designed in the matter, to explain the intent of his action. And what was it? In language as explicit as could well be framed, he says; "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 ought also to wash one another's feet." Oh yes, say some, we should wash one another's feet by good deeds of charity, humility and brotherly kindness. But had not our Saviour been acting thus toward his disciples, all through his ministry? And if this is all, what need was there, of further example? There was none. But a further example was needed to teach them a further lesson, and that was, that as he had humbled himself at their feet, and washed them literally, so they ought also to wash one another's feet. He continues. "For I have given you an example, that ye should do, as I have done to you." What need we more? How had he done unto them? He had performed for them every Christian duty for which there was occasion in the common intercourse of life, but he had also girded himself and actually and literally bowed down to their feet and washed them; and on the occasion of this ceremony, he tells them that so he had done to them, so they ought to do to one another. He who knows the secret springs of the human heart, its tendency to self-exaltation and pride, and the disciplining it needs, has laid down this as one of the rules by which to practice. Shall we pronounce this discipline unnecessary, and spurn the ordeal? We shall ever look with distrust upon the boasted humility of that man who is unwilling to bring it to the test the Saviour has here given us.

10. Although modern commentators assert that this should be taken in a spiritual and not a literal sense, it has not always been so regarded. Says Matthew Henry, "Observe the lesson which Christ hereby taught: 'Ye also ought to wash one another's feet.' Verse 14. Some have understood this literally, and have thought these words amount to the institution of a standing ordinance in the church; that Christians should, in a solemn religious manner, wash one another's feet, in token of their condescending love to one another. St. Ambrose [A. D. 340-397] took it so and practiced it in the church of Milan. St. Austin saith, that those Christians who do not do it with their hands, yet (he hoped) did it with their hearts in humility; but, he saith, It is much better to do it with the hands also, when there is occasion, as 1 Tim. v, 10. What Christ hath done, Christians should not disdain to do. Calvin saith, that the Pope in the annual observing of this ceremony on Thursday in the passion week, is rather Christ's ape than his follower; for the duty enjoined in conformity to Christ, was mutual: wash one another's feet. And Jansenius saith, 'It is done frigidly and unlike the primitive model.'"

11. In conclusion, we invite the honest inquirer after truth on this point to study carefully the testimony of John xiii. Weigh well the language of Jesus. Study its bearing and its import. We are confident if you do this, that there is but one conclusion to which you can arrive; and that is, that Jesus has left us an example, which we are to follow as literally as it was given. We are equally confident that in your endeavours to follow this example, you will share largely in that blessing which his holy lips pronounced, when, in closing his instruction to them on this point, he said, If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. U. S.