Washing the Saint’s Feet
TEXT: John 13:1-17
INTRODUCTION:
The subject of washing the saint’s feet has been discussed and criticized by many people for many generations. Some will argue that this incident in John 13 serves only as a symbol and was never intended to be a practice or considered an ordinance. As we perform acts of humble kindness to others, we “wash the saint’s feet.” That sounds good, but if you make a symbol only for what Jesus commanded here would lay the ground for more substitutions elsewhere. If this were a symbol only and never intended to be practiced, then sprinkling can be substituted for Baptism (which we will discuss in a few weeks, Lord willing). It might even be taken a step further to allow substitution of church membership for regeneration. One must be careful when determining what is to be taken literally and what is not. It opens the door to all kinds of heresy. A literal interpretation of the Scripture is always best.
It seems as though Free Will Baptists are in a minority when it comes to the practice of washing the Saint’s Feet. As a matter of fact, the Free Will Baptist Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc. makes this statement regarding Washing the Saint’s feet. “This is a sacred ordinance, which teaches humility and reminds the believer of the necessity of a daily cleansing from all sin. It was instated by the Lord Jesus Christ, and called an “example” on the night of His betrayal, and in connection with the institution of the Lord’s Supper. It is the duty and happy prerogative of every believer to observe this sacred ordinance.” Bear in mind that just because our treatise of faith says it does not make it equal with the Bible’s teaching on the subject. This quote simply makes us aware of what Free Will Baptists believe regarding the matter.
It is observed in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper. Consider John 13:37-38. The same thing is seen in Luke 22
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
John 13:37-38 and Luke 22:31-34 are regarded as the same incident. The Luke 22:31-34 takes place after the Lord’s Supper. The Supper that was finished in John 13:2 was the Lord’s Supper. Therefore, Washing the Saint’s Feet is to occur in conjunction with the observance of the Lord’s Supper if we are to do it as Jesus did.
As we look into John 13, there are several points of interest regarding Washing the Saint’s Feet.
I. Washing the Saint’s Feet served as a symbol of Spiritual Cleansing (vv. 6-11)
* Regular spiritual cleansing in the life of a Christian is necessary for continued fellowship with Christ. The word “part” in the phrase, “If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me” suggests something necessary for relationship or fellowship. Peter had proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. However, as a believer, he still needed spiritual cleansing.
I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
* Sin in the life of a believer brings the displeasure of our Heavenly Father. As was mentioned in 2 previous sermons concerning the security of the believer being conditioned upon continual faith, sin in the life of a believer does not destroy the relationship, only the fellowship. The sin the crosses the line is the sin of willful disbelief.
II. Washing the Saint’s Feet served as a symbol of true humility (vv. 12-17)
* In order to receive Christ as Savior and receive cleansing from all sin, one must come to Him humbly. This is certainly illustrated in the Washing of the Saint’s Feet on one level. However, to put it simply, Christians should be willing to perform the most menial services for one another. After all, though created in the image of God, we are still nothing without Him. Remember the second greatest command in Matthew 22
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
* After all, Jesus was the greatest example of humility. He left the glories of heaven, took on human flesh, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
III. Washing the Saint’s Feet served as an example that we should follow (vv. 14-15)
* Notice the wording in verse 14. It says Jesus “washed.” The word indicates a completed action. It was a one time act that Jesus did to the disciples. Notice the phrase “ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” The word “ought” means, “to be under obligation.” It is a very strong word in the Greek language. Here are some other places the word is used in the New Testament.
Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
I John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
* Washing the Saint’s Feet is something Jesus said we are under obligation to literally perform. It does not get any clearer than that.
* Some have said, “If the Washing of the Saint’s Feet” was an ordinance instituted by Christ, why do we not see it anywhere else in the New Testament?” The answer to that is that it is found elsewhere.
I Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
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 saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
It is found here in I Timothy in reference to the taking in of a widow. Here is a list of various works to be demonstrated by those who were to be taken in by widows. J.C. Griffin (former pastor of Ruth’s Chapel) notes the reference to the saint’s feet, rather than to needy people in general, which may well put this in the context of a church practice.
In I Corinthians 11, Paul is teaching about the Lord’s supper. There is no mention of the Washing of the Saint’s Feet. Why would this be? If one looks at the context of the passage, the problem with the Corinthians here was the fact that they were turning the Lord’s Supper into a drunken party and putting others to shame that did not have much to eat. They needed to be instructed concerning this. It could be that they were not ready to receive teaching on the Washing of the Saint’s Feet because they were not mature enough spiritually to handle it. By the way, it is a spiritually mature thing to do.
CONCLUSION:
As a church, we take Jesus command to Wash the Saint’s Feet very seriously. However, let us not look to its observance as the end of the commandment. It is to be taken literally and observed. It is also indicative of the life we should live before God. May we keep ourselves pure and clean before Him. May we live humbly before Him. Let us also wash one another’s feet regularly by showing love and compassion for each other.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.