Foot Washing
There are some religious groups that practice foot washing. They take the example that Jesus gave in John 13:3-15 literally, and occasionally, they have a foot washing event. That wasn’t what Jesus was talking about doing, but there’s nothing wrong with itas long as it doesn’t turn into a mindless religious ritual that forgets Jesus intent,and what was that intent? Jesus was trying to teach the disciples to serve one another. We don’t have examples of the apostles washing each other’s feet in the New Testament, but we do have commands such as Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This is the kind of “foot washing” that Jesus wants us to do.
Where do your interests reside?
When we “wash feet,” a lot of spiritual good takes place. First, when we “wash feet,” we are too busy to worry about things that are out of our control. Our focus is upon the task at hand, not upon things that we can’t control. Idle hands lead to worried minds. Second, when we “wash feet,” we demonstrate the love of Christ. We show to others that we really care about them enough to put their needs above our own desires. Jesus did that when He went to the cross. Third, when we “wash feet,” we think of self less and others more. We realize that life is about other people, not self alone. This reduces pride and increases humility. Fourth, when we “wash feet,” we give ourselves away to others, and “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” We need to be “foot washers!” Let’s follow Jesus’ example and love each other.