This is a practice that is practiced among some believers. It is usually is practiced along side communion and sometimes with a meal. The practice is where one believer will wash the feet of another believer and dry them. This is usually done man with man and woman with woman. (This is from the Anabaptist (Mennonite, Brethren and Amish) point of view)
What is the scripture for the foot washing?
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. (John 13:2-15)
Reasons for and Against (Not all of them but some)
Reasons Against
Bible Time Custom Not Sanitary. (Good way to spread diseases) Thoughts of other people would think about it
Reasons for.
A visual expression of brotherly love of other Christians Jesus Commanded it It shows strong trust between other believers in your fellowship. A visual of Cleansing A visual of Service Points to principles of love, humility, equality and brothood assistance.
I think it is wonderful. I was raised with it being a normal thing and think it is very sad that more churches no longer do this. The church I was raised in would do this every time that we had communion.
I have actually been part of a foot washing before. It was at our church when I was in South Carolina. The singles minister performed the ceremony in the week prior to Easter one year. I am glad I took part in it.
In all honesty, I don't think it's really beneficial to faith or mission, and is akin to reinvoking a symbol for a concept rather than putting the concept into practice in the manner that was intended. I don't necessarily think it's harmful either, but I do feel that rather than symbolic gestures of humility and service, there are many more real-world applications of the concept symbolized by this practice that could be much more productive. It seems to me that Yahshua's intention was not to teach us to wash each other's feet ritually or symbolically as a normal practice, but rather to demonstrate the need to serve one another in love and humility. This might be undertaken by babysitting a brother or sister's children when needed without charge, or cleaning an elderly or disabled brother or sister's home for them once a week for free, things of that nature. It really does bother me when I think about all the "networking" that goes on in churches, congregants attending with the intention of promoting their businesses or careers and such. To me, that's the antithesis of what Yahshua was teaching with this demonstration. He said that we'd be known by our love one for another, not by our ridiculously low prices or steep discounts.
i love the idea of it, and i would be very honored to wash yours and Kristen's feet someday. literally and symbolically. thank you for your kindness and understanding so much today. i am very blessed with your friendship indeed. =) ((hugs)) and feet washings,
julie
My husband and I have been attending a Church of the Brethren for almost a year. Every year on the Thursday during Holy Week, the church family shares a Love Feast. We share a simple meal, communion, and we wash each others' feet. It was an incredible evening. The youth of our church have been so moved by the practice that they are hosting a love feast this fall, where the youth will do all the serving and preparing. And I understand the concern of @AOK4WAY, but in our church the feet-washing seems to be just a more formal expression of how we live among each other the rest of the time.
@lifeofdory - Understood, and I know we're in agreement here. As long as the real-world application of the concept underlying the symbolic gesture is not neglected, it can do no harm, which also applies to love feasts. The symbology is beautiful, yet it can be done without. What's indispensable is caring for each other and ministering to each others' needs. A love feast in this light might be preparing dinner for an elderly neighbor and sitting with them to eat it. The washing of the feet can be done without, but an elderly or disabled neighbor's lawn still needs mowing after they aren't able to do it for themselves. I tend to shy away from symbolic pageantry in favor of practical application - I understand the meaning behind it, but it doesn't accomplish much.
it was dusty back in those days
I go every other week for reflexology and really like it but I have to pay for it.
Comments (7)
I think it is wonderful. I was raised with it being a normal thing and think it is very sad that more churches no longer do this. The church I was raised in would do this every time that we had communion.
I have actually been part of a foot washing before. It was at our church when I was in South Carolina. The singles minister performed the ceremony in the week prior to Easter one year. I am glad I took part in it.
In all honesty, I don't think it's really beneficial to faith or mission, and is akin to reinvoking a symbol for a concept rather than putting the concept into practice in the manner that was intended. I don't necessarily think it's harmful either, but I do feel that rather than symbolic gestures of humility and service, there are many more real-world applications of the concept symbolized by this practice that could be much more productive. It seems to me that Yahshua's intention was not to teach us to wash each other's feet ritually or symbolically as a normal practice, but rather to demonstrate the need to serve one another in love and humility. This might be undertaken by babysitting a brother or sister's children when needed without charge, or cleaning an elderly or disabled brother or sister's home for them once a week for free, things of that nature. It really does bother me when I think about all the "networking" that goes on in churches, congregants attending with the intention of promoting their businesses or careers and such. To me, that's the antithesis of what Yahshua was teaching with this demonstration. He said that we'd be known by our love one for another, not by our ridiculously low prices or steep discounts.
i love the idea of it, and i would be very honored to wash yours and Kristen's feet someday. literally and symbolically. thank you for your kindness and understanding so much today. i am very blessed with your friendship indeed. =) ((hugs)) and feet washings,
julie
My husband and I have been attending a Church of the Brethren for almost a year. Every year on the Thursday during Holy Week, the church family shares a Love Feast. We share a simple meal, communion, and we wash each others' feet. It was an incredible evening. The youth of our church have been so moved by the practice that they are hosting a love feast this fall, where the youth will do all the serving and preparing. And I understand the concern of @AOK4WAY, but in our church the feet-washing seems to be just a more formal expression of how we live among each other the rest of the time.
@lifeofdory - Understood, and I know we're in agreement here. As long as the real-world application of the concept underlying the symbolic gesture is not neglected, it can do no harm, which also applies to love feasts. The symbology is beautiful, yet it can be done without. What's indispensable is caring for each other and ministering to each others' needs. A love feast in this light might be preparing dinner for an elderly neighbor and sitting with them to eat it. The washing of the feet can be done without, but an elderly or disabled neighbor's lawn still needs mowing after they aren't able to do it for themselves. I tend to shy away from symbolic pageantry in favor of practical application - I understand the meaning behind it, but it doesn't accomplish much.
it was dusty back in those days
I go every other week for reflexology and really like it but I have to pay for it.