Washing Each Other's Feet

Reading through the Holy Bible it was common for servants to wash the feet of guests, maybe because they had travelled long distances and their feet usually got dirty on the way, or maybe because they used to wear mostly sandals in those days, I’m not really sure why this was the case. 1 Sam 25; 41 washing the feet of others was a servant task. When Mary washed Jesus feet and anointed it, it was a show of her love and deep gratitude to Jesus for all he had done for her and her family John 12: 1-8. When Jesus washed his disciple’s feet it was a show of his humility, service and love, the type that we are enjoined to emulate as Christians here on earth John 13: 1-17.

To wash someone’s feet requires pretty close personal contact, when I know my feet are very dirty and I’m having a pedicure I often feel pity for the poor pedicurist but I guess because it’s the nature of their job I’m ok with it, if it was a friend or acquaintance doing the same pedicure for me I probably would feel embarrassed. But Jesus was saying as believers in Christ Jesus we need to get too close for comfort and serve one another in love, we should not be embarrassed to open up ourselves to others, and to serve others.

Washing each other’s feet is a sign of love and wanting to know more about someone, their likes, dislikes, fears just generally building a relationship with others however uncomfortable it may be. It is also like a spiritual cleansing we are to share the word of God with each other in sincerity and in truth thereby cleansing one another with Gods word and encouraging one another.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.⁹ Use hospitality one to another without grudging.¹⁰ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.¹¹ If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen1 Peter4: 8-11 . We mustn’t be afraid to let others wash our dirty feet but we must be open to allow others get to know us, love us and serve us.

When Jesus was about to wash Peters feet Peter said No’, you shall never wash my feet’ and Jesus answered him and said that ‘unless I wash you, you have no part with me’, John 13:8 which signifies that the person whose feet is being washed also needs to be humble, it is an act of humility from both parties that is the person whose feet is being washed and the person who is washing the feet, we need to be humble enough to let people know what we are going through instead of trying to prove that we are strong and we don’t need help when we really do, a lot of people who have committed suicide would still be alive today if only they had confided in someone. This does not mean we should tell everyone what is bothering us but let the Holy Spirit be our guide, and find a true Christian brother or sister who we can truly bear our heart to and allow him or her wash our feet.

If Jesus who is the King of all kings and who was here before the world was formed, can stoop so low to wash his disciples feet being God almighty himself then what excuse does anyone who professes to know this Jesus or to serve him have for not doing so for his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We have no excuse especially because Jesus also told his disciples to do as they have seen him do.

If you are a leader and you are not washing your disciples feet and I don't mean literally washing their feet like Jesus did but caring so much for the wellbeing of their souls, even if it means you going through a great deal of discomfort to do so, or maybe you are too high up there and too occupied to take time to properly shepherd the sheep that God has placed in your care then it’s time to make a change because we will give an account to God for the souls he has placed in our care.

A servant is not greater than his master, nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him John13:16. Jesus is greater than us and so if he being God and the maker of the heaven and the earth stooped down to wash the feet of the human beings he created then our humility should be like the humility of Jesus. How else can we as Christians attract the world to Jesus? It is by showing true and sincere love to one another and serving one another in true humility.