 |
Washing
the
Disciples' Feet
|
The practice of believers washing one another's feet is a
clear teaching of Jesus. Upon instituting this ordinance with
His disciples, He 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” (John 13:14,15).
This ordinance, and that of the Lord's Supper,
which was established at the same time, are for those who
are born-again Christians. As we obey Christ's commandment,
we find that the Spirit bears witness of God's approval and
brings great joy, as Jesus said in John 13:17.
John 13:1-17
— Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew
that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world
unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world,
he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil
having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son,
to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all
things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and
went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments;
and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth
water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet,
and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then
cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord,
dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him,
What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus
answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also
my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed
needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit:
and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray
him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he
had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was
set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done
to you? 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 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. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
|
