The foot washing

Posted : 20 Aug, 2009 08:18 PM

THE FOOT WASHING

John Chapter 13

Verses 1-12



Today we are going to discuss and teach on the foot washing at the last supper. We want to not only share what it means in Christian service, but to also look deeper into what Jesus was really telling His disciples by the act of foot washing.



First we want to start with a little history of foot washing in Jesus� day. And we also want to look at who did it and why it was done.



In Palestine during Jesus� time people did not wear socks, or boots to protect their feet from the dirt, dust, mud or other road grime accumulated on the feet by walking. Depending on the work or travel a person performed, it determined the grime on the foot.



It was the custom in the middle east to wash the feet before entering the house, This accomplished several things. It cleansed the foot from dirt and grime. Some believed it cleansed the soul, and some believe that it would ward off evil spirits trying to follow the person home.



It was the custom of the home to have a basin of some type for the person to cleanse their feet in. It could be dipped, or if it was real dirty, a towel and cleaning supplies were available. There was always a towel hung near by to dry the feet off when they finished washing them. It was after the shoes or sandals were removed, and the feet washed that the person could enter the house.



In the homes of the rich, affluent or well to do, the owners of the house would have a servant designated to wash the feet. It was usually a slave. This was considered the lowest position in the house. The servant or slave who performed this duty, was at the bottom of the pile, lowest of the low, and the least in standing by the their social circle. There was no job in the household that was considered any lower. The people above their social circle looked down upon those servants. They treated them with disgust, haughtiness, criticism, and were condescending to them. They were rude to them, without respect, abused them and in any other derogatory method they could. I could probably speculate that probably no one ever thought to tip them.



Now that we have given a brief background and history on the tradition and social concept of foot washing, we can proceed to the foot washing at the last supper. We can now look at what Jesus did, how he did it and understand eventually why he did it. I believe it will bless you.



We are going to begin in the Gospel of John, chapter 13 and begin with verse 1. You will have to note, that most of my verses are paraphrased, and so you will probably need your bible handy to refer to as we go along. Matter of fact, I will wait while you get it out and open to John chapter 13. We will be studying certain words in the verses to develop a better understanding of what was really going on and being said at the time.



John chapter 13 and beginning with verse 1. ��when Jesus KNEW that his hour had come and that he should depart from the world to the Father,��. We will pause here for a bit in the scripture reading to take a look at a word here and what it means.



The word we want to pay attention to here is the word KNEW. I underlined it in the paragraph above, for a reason. The word knew in the Greek, is the word �eidon�. It means to understand fully, or to have definite irrefutable knowledge of. So by using this work in the Greek, the disciple John, was describing Jesus at this time as having total and definite knowledge of the fact that He truly was the Son of God, getting ready to return to His Father and His place of origin. He knew for a fact He was the Lord, the Son of God, the Anointed One, Messiah, and all of the other names or titles that described Him in scripture. He was 100% certain of this fact.



Now in verse 2 some translations start the verse with supper having been ended, some may say during the supper, and some say before supper. The Greek rendering actually implies after supper preparations had been finished. So basically, supper was on the table and they were about to eat.



At this point and time Jesus knew he was to be betrayed, and who was going to do it. He knew he come from God and was going back to God. He also knew that all things, the full encompassment of everything the Father had given Him to do say, or proclaim had been done. All that was left was to set His house in order, and then to die to fulfill the prophecies.



In verse 4 Jesus laid aside his garments. The laying aside of the garment was symbolic. It symbolized his authority, anointing, covering, His position, power and His standing in life. He took off all those things when he removed His garment and laid it aside. He then wrapped a towel around Himself and began to serve by washing the disciples feet.



By this act of removing the garments, He was saying to the disciples in a non verbal way, � As you know me, the Son of God, YHWH, the son of David, the Restorer of Israel, The Christ, The Anointed one, Messiah, all these names and titles, I lay aside to wash your feet, and to serve you.�



It is interesting to note, that not one disciple said a word, except Peter. Peter wanted to know what he was doing. Basically Peter was asking, �Lord, why are YOU washing my feet?� Don�t you just love Peter, and his view point from the natural? Peter was wondering why the great LORD was washing his feet. And he wanted no part of it. He would not be humbled and receive a low service from the Lord. Peter was showing a slight character flaw. False humility.



Jesus� reply was basically, �think about it Peter, view it from a spiritual perspective. If you can not receive this lowly service from Me, then you can never give it. Do not see it from the outside as a work, but see it from the spiritual side as an attitude. Now from our reading we know Peter missed that one. He replied that if Jesus was going to be the lowest servant, then he wanted him to wash his hands and give him a shampoo. It�s like, �Ok Lord, if you are going to be the low servant, then do it right.� You got to love Peter.



But how many times does this occur to us as individual believers. We see something be done or said or even happen and the only way we view it or even think about it is from a natural stand point. We do not even stop to check our own hearts or spirits to see what is really being said, done or happening. We want to constantly see things from the outside and the performance and works of others rather than look upon the heart, or see it in the spirit as does God. He was saying to Peter, �Get your eyes in the spiritual world Peter and pay attention to what I am teaching by using this example�. And we need to work on this as we do not want to become judgmental, critical, or performance orientated in the family of God.



Jesus went on to tell Peter that once he had bathed, all he needed to do was wash his feet. Then he would be clean. Then He said, �but not all of you are clean.� He was referring to Judas here, who would betray Him. I think it is interesting to note here, that Jesus also washed Judas�s feet. He even loved His enemy, who sat and broke bread with Him. That was true love in action.



Now we come to verse 12, and Jesus asks the big question. �Do you understand what I have done for you?� He did not want them to miss what was really being said and done here. He wanted to make sure they understood the lesson so they could teach it themselves. He wanted to make it completely understood, and that they did not miss it.



Now as we look on the surface of what is going on here we can see several things. And we want to take a look at them, so that you all, do not miss it either.



1. Jesus demonstrated his Humility. With out fanfare, or without waiting for some one to do it first. He humbled Himself in the form of the lowest servant. He demonstrated His humbleness in serving the disciples.



2. Jesus took the form of the lowest servant to serve his disciples. The bible tells us that He would be a servant to serve others. By washing the disciples feet he showed His servants nature. He demonstrated serving others with humility. It should be noted here that servitude can be done with out humility, and it can also be done with false humility. Many times works of service are done only to be seen, and for the opinion of others.



3. He demonstrated a teaching spirit. He was teaching His disciples acts of humbleness and servitude by demonstration. Many teachers in that time, especially the scribes and the Pharisees, would teach but never demonstrate what needed to be done. Many teachers teach by word and not deed. The very successful teachers teach by example and demonstration.



4. Jesus even washed Judas�s feet. This is one point that has hardly ever been pointed out. In verse 11 it said He KNEW who would betray him. This is where he demonstrated his love for all even his enemies. As we said before, he was demonstrating His teaching about loving His own enemy as in Mt.5:44. It also shows that he was loving Judas even to the end. I do not know if He knew if Judas would repent, or not, but He did love him to the end.



5. He demonstrated the priority of Love. He gathered His disciples into the upper room to share the last Passover meal with them. He wanted to gather them and give them some last minute instructions and information. He wanted to demonstrate His love for them, and show them the Fathers love for them to the end.



Now I have heard teachings on the foot washing and most of them focus on his actions. They focus on His servitude and how humble He was. The teaching and preaching is about the acts that make a person humble and a servant. These things are all true, and to a point correct, and a fine teaching. However, I have not heard one that explains how to become that way. And we know that it is not just by works alone. The scribes and Pharisee�s did that and Jesus was not impressed by the works. It had been said that we can pray for a humble heart to hear, to have the Lord give us a humble heart and give us a humble spirit. To a point He does but it comes up a little short. As you will see, it is up to us to allow ourselves to receive a humble �attitude� of the heart.



Now we come to what I believe Jesus was showing and teaching His disciples. He was showing them a principle to true humbleness, that grows into true servitude unto the LORD. And I guess you all might all be wondering what it is. That is if you are not bored by having to read all this to get to the main point.



Here now is the main point.



THERE IS NO LOSS OF SELF-RESPECT OR LOSS OF FACE IN HUMBLE SERVICE UNTO THE LORD OR FOR GOD. OR TO OTHERS FOR THE LORD.



I will share with you what I mean by this statement and what I believe to be a truth.



First of all, Jesus knew who he was. He was he Son of God, the Holy One of Israel, the Christ, the Anointed One, YHWH, part of the God head, and the LORD Himself. There was no doubt in His mind of His identity. He knew exactly who He was.



Second, he knew where He was headed. No matter what had to happen here on earth, or what had happened, He was returning to the Father. From God He came, and to God He was to return. There was no doubt about His final destination. It was forever settled within Himself.



Thirdly, knowing who He was, being who He was, and knowing were He was going, He could EASILY lay it all aside to serve. WITHOUT losing any of His titles, anointing, destiny, destination, or relationship with the Father God. It was all secure in His heart. It did not change who He was, cause Him to loose self respect, loose face, or make Him of no consequence to God or change His relationship with the Father.



Now here is an important truth to learn. In His own eyes, it did not matter what His titles were. It did not matter what His position in life was. It did not matter what His social status was. And it definitely, did not matter to Him what others thought about Him and His service. He was still the Son of God during His service, and still the Son of God when He finished. NOTHING changed by His actions of service. He was still who He was. All the glory, and honor that was due to Him, was still due to Him. His place in Gods Kingdom was still the same place. He gave up NOTHING to serve. He could give up His self respect, or His self identity, without consequence to His relationship to the Father. And this is the root of true heart humility. And out of this root grows the true humility to truly serve the Lord. It happens no other way.



Now what does this truth mean to us today. How can we apply this truth to our own lives to make a difference?



First of all, we need to know who we are in Christ. We can study through out the New Testament and look up and underline all the �in Him� phrases. We need to read them, and meditate on them. When we do this, we will truly begin to discover exactly who we are in Christ. What is our character in Christ, what our righteousness in Christ, and how He views and thinks of us. To develop a bedrock foundation of security in Christ. I believe this is essential. We have no value in the kingdom with out being in Him. He gives us all that we are and all that we can be.



In his letter to the Colossians, The apostle Paul in his writing to them, beginning with the very first chapter shares with them, how God feels and views them. His opinions of us, and how He feels about us.



As an example, in Colossians, Chapter 1 verse 2, Paul calls them the saints, and faithful in Christ. The word saint in the Greek, means holy unto God. Set apart and consecrated ones. All of God�s loving view of us in one word. And the word faithful, means obedient, believing, trusting, relied upon, or committed all to God, through Christ. And, this is just two words, found in the second verse of the whole epistle. Reading just the first 18 verses will fill you to over flowing with God�s opinion of us. So knowing who you are in Christ, is the first step to changing your life.



Knowing who you are in Christ frees us to live in Gods opinion of us. The worlds opinion, or for that matter another Christians opinion, no longer matters. I realized we all love to be liked, and thought well of, however, you will find although this is nice to have, it really does not matter. Whether the worlds opinion or that of another Christian is good bad or indifferent we begin to realize that it does not matter to us at all. No matter what our social standing or position is, or our standing in life, or what the world determines our standard or opinion should be, it does not matter. We loose no self respect or standing in the kingdom. All because you know who you are in Christ, and what God�s opinion of you is. You are free from the oppression of the worlds opinion. We have someone who has a much higher opinion of us than the world could ever have or realize.



Knowing who we are in Christ, and being free to live in Gods opinion of us opens the door to get rid of the secret root of pride in our hearts. Yes even though we are saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, a child of God, follower of the King, belong to the Lord of Lords, there are still a lot who harbor and hide a small root of pride in the heart.



That small root of pride shows up in this way. THINGS. Yes, THINGS. Oh we may claim to be free, own nothing and bossing everything, do humble works, serve with a pious and humble look on our faces and make it look good. But, as long as the small root of hidden pride is there, we are not free. I would venture to guess that anyone who hears or reads this message at this point would tell me I am wrong or mistaken.



Well here is a simple test. Ask yourself and answer honestly, the following question. Am I willing to walk away from everything I have to follow Jesus? Everything would include jobs, homes, family, cars, clothing, food, money, investments, friends, social status, dreams and hopes and walk out of the house and follow the Lord, no matter where it leads. Are we totally willing to do that? Trusting Him for everything in life even the air we breathe? If you can not honestly and truthfully answer yes, do not feel bad. In America, it is less that 1/10 of 1 percent. The other 99.9+% it�s the talk not the walk. They are not truly free in Christ. It is not that you have to do this, but to be honestly and truthfully willing. It is the available, willing and obedient that God searches for in these days.



Right about now there may be some squirming and there may be some looking for a good sized rock. Some might say �Well, God would never call me to do that. Blah, Blah, Blah.� And some might say, �Well, God has called me to blah blah, blah.� The point is that if you are not free in Christ and willing, you never can. End of story.



Now you all can quit squirming, and drop your rocks. I am going to share with you the key to freedom in Christ. It just does not matter. I will say it again. IT JUST DOES NOT MATTER. Real heavy revelation there huh? It is true and now I will explain.



God has the earth and all the fullness therein. He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills. All the silver and gold are His. He sends the rains, and sends the sunlight for things to grow. He owns it all and controls it all. And, He has given it to you to be CARETAKERS OF IT. All you are supposed to do is watch over it, take care of it, and produce fruit. YOU ARE NOT TO POSSESS IT!!!!! All you do is watch over it. God has given you part of His kingdom to take care of. Not to possess it.



When you meditate on this and let it take root in your heart, and allow the Holy Spirit to cause it to grow, it will begin to make you free in your heart totally unto Christ. When you realize like the apostle Paul, you can have all things, but possess nothing, the heart begins to be free totally. And when the heart is free, The root of humility can begin in the fertile soil the Holy Spirit has prepared. And servitude, being a true servant of Christ, is the first fruit to grow from the root.



And when this happens, there is no loss of self respect or loss of face in being the lowest servant of God. Many will have a higher calling, but whether they do or not, it does not change a thing. You are now totally free to live a life in Christ. No matter what type of job or service you are needed or required to do for Christ, His opinion of you NEVER changes. You are always the righteousness in Christ, you the holy, anointed and consecrated child of God. Set apart, a royal priest, and a friend of Jesus.



Even if God asks you to give up everything or takes if from you, who you are never changes. No matter what you do for Christ, you are still in Christ. Now if what others think of you matters at this point, you are not truly free in Christ. But, if it does not matter, you are truly free in Christ. At that point the seed of humbleness begins to grow, and blossoms into servitude, and it becomes a way of life and freedom. You are free in Christ to be a bond servant for and in Him in all things. And there is no DISGRACE, No matter if someone is measuring your performance or judging you. It does not matter. It is their malfunction, not yours. God had His opinion of us and that is all that matters.



This is why Jesus could ask the disciples in John 13:12. �Do you understand what I have done unto you?� He was asking them if they understood the non verbal content of what He had just demonstrated to them. I guess I will ask the same question. Do understand what Jesus was demonstrating to you? If you do, then you are truly on your way to be totally free in Christ.



Like the response the disciples got when they asked Jesus why they could not cast out a demon, the answer here is about the same. This type of freedom does not happen over night. It takes prayer, meditation on the �in Christ� phrases in the New testament, and a study of the gospels. To see that this was a way of life for Christ. Anything He did, could do, or any attitude in His heart, we can have. It is all because of the relationship we have with the Father because and through Christ. Freely given to us because of Christ.







I hope this teaching and writing has blessed you. It was a blessing to prepare it for you. If it had blessed you and allowed you to begin the journey of being totally free in Christ, please feel free to pass it on to others or share it and teach it to others. If it has not blessed you, well, then at least you had something to read for a few minutes.



If you have been blessed please feel free to share it with me. My email address is [email protected]. Please note the spelling of Eliljah.





God Bless you all.



Jesus is Lord,



2John12

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