by Bobby L. Graham
I have heard from friends that Jesus intended for us to wash each others' feet during worship. Why did Jesus wash the disciples' feet?
In John 13, we have the record of Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet in verses 1 through 11. Following this account, John records Jesus' explanation of what He had just done. It is definitely instructive that the Lord never uttered one word concerning religious ceremony or the act of worshiping God in His explanation. It is unthinkable that the Lord completely ignored such a singular purpose if such was his intent in introducing this matter to His disciples.
Some people do teach and practice the washing of feet as an act of worship. Some have explained 1 Corinthians 11:34 in this way. They say that Jesus meant for washing of feet to accompany the Lord's Supper because it did so in the meeting of Jesus and His disciples in John 13. They say that Paul had reference to foot-washing when he said, "The rest I will set in order when I come." It seems too convenient that Paul meant foot-washing without mentioning it or explaining. Why could he not have meant singing, since singing a hymn also accompanied the instituting of the Supper (Matt. 26:30)?
What was Jesus doing in the washing of the feet? According to the explanation given by Jesus, He was acting in the role of a servant, though He is truly Lord of all, to exemplify the humility which His disciples were sorely lacking. On this very occasion of the Passover meal, the disciples had been arguing over who among them was the greatest (Luke 22:24-30). In other words, they had been manifesting such pride as was destructive of their role and work as humble disciples by making love for each other impossible (John 13:31-35), as well as the unity of which Jesus later extensively taught them (John 17:11). It is no coincidence that Jesus taught the disciples about love and oneness on the very occasion when they were arguing out of the spirit of rivalry.
Jesus' disciples certainly needed to learn the love which He showed them and the oneness that He shared with the Father. How then did Jesus, their teacher, react under such conditions? By his example, he led them to understand humility, so that they could then act in such a fashion, instead of the proud fashion that too often characterized them. By girding Himself with a towel and then stooping before them to wash their feet, Jesus was illustrating humble service. He was teaching them how they should relate to each other, though He was their Master (John 13:13-15). True blessedness would result not from just calling themselves disciples, but acting as disciples of Jesus (John 13:17).
No, Jesus had no intention of His example being reproduced as an act of a worship service. Rather, it was individual action in everyday life which Jesus was here pinpointing. Such an understanding is entirely in keeping with the other passages where foot-washing is mentioned—individual showing of humble service to others (1 Tim. 5:10; Gen. 18:4). In an age when walking exposed feet to much dirt on dusty roads and pathways, the washing of feet was also a matter of practical benefit.
Author Bio: Bobby L. Graham preaches and is an elder for the Old Moulton Rd. church of Christ. He and his wife, Karen, have three children: Richard, Mary Katherine Winland (Darren), and Laura Paschall (Jeremy). His email is bobbylgraham@pclnet.net.
