Different Thought on Foot Washing

[Sister Alvear]

Yes, Esther we do and my what heavenly times we have! Wish you could be with us sometime. Blessings to you my dear sister.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Esther

So what are the men's excuse?

Well, they are men, go figure. I really don't know why. Maybe they think they have ugly feet too.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Esther

And many feel that this is symbolic even though Jesus said this "ought" you to do. So taking the symbolic thought futher. IF washing feet is symbolic and MEN and WOMEN don't want to do it today as it is not necessary, then using the same "symbolic" thought why would the same folks think the hair issue is more than symbolic?

Where do we draw the line between what is symbolic and what isn't?

Well, we don't all agree on that issue either.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I'm not against footwashing and have no problem with people carrying out this "symbolic" occasional representation of servanthood.

However, I think there are much more valuable and "actual" ways of portraying servanthood in "real" life. Just be a servant.

Serve your pastor. Serve your pastor's wife. Serve your church and serve your brother and sister. Most of all, be a servant of Jesus Christ.

I agree, though I'm totally suppoirtive of the act of washing one another's feet. But it isn't the ACT that is the focus here. It is the ATTITUDE that we should focus on The attitude of being a servant to one another, and, as the sister here is quoted, to the Lord Jesus Christ. It isn't the act of foot washing that makes a person humble... he or she is humble before the actual act. We are told by Paul to submit to one another and to prefer our brother (or sister) before us... the willingness to wash the feet of a brother (or sister) is the point that Jesus was making here. I think Sis Esther makes an excellent point.

Jesus said Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jhn 15:13 . This isn't to say we are required to die for a brother, but the WILLIGNESS to do so shows the love that Jesus wants us to have for one another. Am I ready to lay down my life for someone else? I don't know. But I am willing to wash the feet of a brother. Or my wife. In fact, I did that just today.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

I agree, though I'm totally suppoirtive of the act of washing one another's feet. But it isn't the ACT that is the focus here. It is the ATTITUDE that we should focus on The attitude of being a servant to one another, and, as the sister here is quoted, to the Lord Jesus Christ. It isn't the act of foot washing that makes a person humble... he or she is humble before the actual act. We are told by Paul to submit to one another and to prefer our brother (or sister) before us... the willingness to wash the feet of a brother (or sister) is the point that Jesus was making here. I think Sis Esther makes an excellent point.

Jesus said Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Jhn 15:13 . This isn't to say we are required to die for a brother, but the WILLIGNESS to do so shows the love that Jesus wants us to have for one another. Am I ready to lay down my life for someone else? I don't know. But I am willing to wash the feet of a brother. Or my wife. In fact, I did that just today.

Appreciate your comments bro and the comments of others in this thread as well, whether they agree with me or not.

Like I said before, if people want to do ceremonial footwashing and feel that it's something required by God for us to do on a regular basis (generally once a year in most churches) then that's fine and good. I have no problem with it.

I would be willing to wash the feet of someone who needed that done for them because there was a NEED for it. That would exemplify servanthood in action. But you and I both know that there are many people who go through a footwashing ceremony whose attitudes are anything but that of humility or servanthood. So to me it's an exercise in futility and doesn't really serve any real purpose.

If a person is truly humble and kind and esteems others better than themselves in the sense that they'll put others ahead of themselves, then that attitude will come across in everyday "REAL" life. People notice and not because of a ceremony that really has little significance in our culture today and not much to do really when it comes to real spirituality or the attitude of a servant.

Just my personal feelings about it.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Appreciate your comments bro and the comments of others in this thread as well, whether they agree with me or not.

Like I said before, if people want to do ceremonial footwashing and feel that it's something required by God for us to do on a regular basis (generally once a year in most churches) then that's fine and good. I have no problem with it.

I would be willing to wash the feet of someone who needed that done for them because there was a NEED for it. That would exemplify servanthood in action. But you and I both know that there are many people who go through a footwashing ceremony whose attitudes are anything but that of humility or servanthood. So to me it's an exercise in futility and doesn't really serve any real purpose.

If a person is truly humble and kind and esteems others better than themselves in the sense that they'll put others ahead of themselves, then that attitude will come across in everyday "REAL" life. People notice and not because of a ceremony that really has little significance in our culture today and not much to do really when it comes to real spirituality or the attitude of a servant.

Just my personal feelings about it.

I recall this thread from this same discussion on another Forum.

http://www.goodnewscafe.net/forums/s...8&postcount=16

I was wondering if you have never taken part in a foot washing ceremony, how could you actually know the depth of feeling involved in it? Just curious.

I do agree with OneAccord:

It isn't the act of foot washing that makes a person humble..

This is very true. We can lift our hands and walk out of a service NOT changed, but we don't stop lifting our hands. JMHO.

[OneAccord]

Originally Posted by Felicity

I would be willing to wash the feet of someone who needed that done for them because there was a NEED for it. That would exemplify servanthood in action. But you and I both know that there are many people who go through a footwashing ceremony whose attitudes are anything but that of humility or servanthood. So to me it's an exercise in futility and doesn't really serve any real purpose.

Thats the word (in Bold) the Lord expects of us. Willingness. I don't think the actual ACT of footwashing is required as much as it is required for us to be willing to serve one another. I participate in the cermony of washing feet, I love the spirit of unity and love that prevails... but, I don't think Jesus meant us to focus on the ACT of washing feet, but the williness to place ourselves in the role of a servant to our brother and sister. And there are a great number of ways that we can submit to one another and to serve one another, just as Jesus demonstrated by washing the feet of those He served. In fact, it would seem that, since washing feet was a part of Jewish culture at that time, foot washing would be a very basic act. To us, washing the feet of another human being is a big thing. To them, it was very comon and no biggie at all. Comparable to, say, shaking hands.

I agree... your words "servanthood in action" is what Jesus is looking for.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Thats the word (in Bold) the Lord expects of us. Willingness. I don't think the actual ACT of footwashing is required as much as it is required for us to be willing to serve one another. I participate in the cermony of washing feet, I love the spirit of unity and love that prevails... but, I don't think Jesus meant us to focus on the ACT of washing feet, but the williness to place ourselves in the role of a servant to our brother and sister. And there are a great number of ways that we can submit to one another and to serve one another, just as Jesus demonstrated by washing the feet of those He served. In fact, it would seem that, since washing feet was a part of Jewish culture at that time, foot washing would be a very basic act. To us, washing the feet of another human being is a big thing. To them, it was very comon and no biggie at all. Comparable to, say, shaking hands.

I agree... your words "servanthood in action" is what Jesus is looking for.

Good post bro. I appreciate your good spirit and attitude.

God bless!


P.S. Your wife is blessed to have a good husband who is "serving" her so well.

[Pressing-On]

This passage speaks of the widow's involvement in the church.

I Timothy 5:10 "Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saint's feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work."

Basically, it is all about, "No servant is greater than his master." John 12:26.

In Biblical society, of the time, foot-washing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants. Peers did not wash one another's feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love.

When Jesus moved to wash their feet, they were shocked. His actions served as a model of Christian humility (vs. 12-17). Through this action Jesus taught the lesson of selfless service that was supremely exemplified by His death on the cross.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Appreciate your comments bro and the comments of others in this thread as well, whether they agree with me or not.

Like I said before, if people want to do ceremonial footwashing and feel that it's something required by God for us to do on a regular basis (generally once a year in most churches) then that's fine and good. I have no problem with it.

I would be willing to wash the feet of someone who needed that done for them because there was a NEED for it. That would exemplify servanthood in action. But you and I both know that there are many people who go through a footwashing ceremony whose attitudes are anything but that of humility or servanthood. So to me it's an exercise in futility and doesn't really serve any real purpose.

If a person is truly humble and kind and esteems others better than themselves in the sense that they'll put others ahead of themselves, then that attitude will come across in everyday "REAL" life. People notice and not because of a ceremony that really has little significance in our culture today and not much to do really when it comes to real spirituality or the attitude of a servant.

Just my personal feelings about it.

I agree with you Felicity.

Jesus said he gave us an EXAMPLE that we should do to others.

Footwashing was an EXAMPLE of an act of humble service done to another.

Footwashing had a cultural purpose in that day that is no longer with us today.

There are commands on how to treat your slaves in the bible...do we need to get us a slave or two so we can continue in this culture to obey something that applied to a time and culture far removed from us today?


I think not.