What is the purpose of a foot washing service?

LifeUncommon · #1 02-01-2013, 01:45 PM

I was raised Pentecostal, so I have been to my share of foot washing services. But I have never understood their purpose.

I know th story of Jesus washing the feet as an act of humility and service. But what does mimicking that passage do for us?

When Jesus did it, it was needful and had significance. When we splash warm water on clean feet, it just seems silly at best, and a mockery at worst. We are in no way serving people by doing that.

It seems more fitting, if we want to serve like Jesus did, that we would find a needed and humble task and do that in rememberance of how he served.

But maybe I'm missing another point besides service. All constructive comments are welcome!

Ron · #2 02-01-2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeUncommon

I was raised Pentecostal, so I have been to my share of foot washing services. But I have never understood their purpose.

I know th story of Jesus washing the feet as an act of humility and service. But what does mimicking that passage do for us?

When Jesus did it, it was needful and had significance. When we splash warm water on clean feet, it just seems silly at best, and a mockery at worst. We are in no way serving people by doing that.

It seems more fitting, if we want to serve like Jesus did, that we would find a needed and humble task and do that in rememberance of how he served.

But maybe I'm missing another point besides service. All constructive comments are welcome!

I beleive it is a reminder of the fact that we are servants first & foremost & that true humility is what God wants to see in our lives.
Taking communion while it has a very deep & very spiritual meaning, is similar.
I do not beleive in the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation, but it causes us to remember what it cost the Lord to purchase my salvation.
We took communion at the end of the year & in examining myself before taking communion, it made me realize just what Christ did for us & how incredibly unworthy we are of so great a gift.

Also, I personally beleive partaking of communion & footwashing brings the body closer together!

Amanah · #3 02-01-2013, 01:51 PM

It's difficult to have something in your heart against a sister when you are washing each other's feet.

BrotherEastman · #4 02-01-2013, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amanah

It's difficult to have something in your heart against a sister when you are washing each other's feet.

Ah, but what if your a man who has ought against a sister?

navygoat1998 · #5 02-01-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

Ah, but what if your a man who has ought against a sister?

You must wash her husbands, brother's or daddies feet.

BrotherEastman · #6 02-01-2013, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

You must wash her husbands, brother's or daddies feet.

lol

freeatlast · #7 02-01-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeUncommon

I was raised Pentecostal, so I have been to my share of foot washing services. But I have never understood their purpose.

I know th story of Jesus washing the feet as an act of humility and service. But what does mimicking that passage do for us?

When Jesus did it, it was needful and had significance. When we splash warm water on clean feet, it just seems silly at best, and a mockery at worst. We are in no way serving people by doing that.

It seems more fitting, if we want to serve like Jesus did, that we would find a needed and humble task and do that in rememberance of how he served.

But maybe I'm missing another point besides service. All constructive comments are welcome!

I think you are on the right track. There is a lesson or principle being taught and that is humble acts of service to your brothers. Wash his dirty car not his clean feet.

LifeUncommon · #8 02-01-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeatlast

I think you are on the right track. There is a lesson or principle being taught and that is humble acts of service to your brothers. Wash his dirty car not his clean feet.

That's exactly what I'm thinking!! Do something that needs doing! Not some meaningless re-enactment of something that needed doing back then, but doesn't need doing today.

Ron · #9 02-01-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeatlast

I think you are on the right track. There is a lesson or principle being taught and that is humble acts of service to your brothers. Wash his dirty car not his clean feet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeUncommon

That's exactly what I'm thinking!! Do something that needs doing! Not some meaningless re-enactment of something that needed doing back then, but doesn't need doing today.

Is anyone saying that this is not being done?
I seem to remember the question being, "What is the purpose of a foot washing service?"
Now, if you had made a thread about, "Do we need a footwashing service?"
I think it is beneficial but again, are Pastor has drilled it into us that we are servants.
For example, he many times, changes peoples oil in their cars & he supplies the oil & oil filters.
Servanthood is a life style!

LifeUncommon · #10 02-01-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

Is anyone saying that this is not being done?
I seem to remember the question being, "What is the purpose of a foot washing service?"
Now, if you had made a thread about, "Do we need a footwashing service?"
I think it is beneficial but again, are Pastor has drilled it into us that we are servants.
For example, he many times, changes peoples oil in their cars & he supplies the oil & oil filters.
Servanthood is a life style!

Um... No one except you has mentioned anything about other methods of service not being done.

So, since you feel the foot washing is significant, help me understand what you see in it that I don't. How is it beneficial? What purpose does re-enacting the biblical story serve in your life?