Foot Washing

I spoke with a friend of mine today who goes to an Independent Fundamental Baptist church. He told me he participated in his first “foot washing” last Sunday. He said it made him a little uncomfortable, but it was nothing compared to some of the things he had to do earlier in life when he had to work in bad conditions for low pay. 

He asked me if we did foot washings where I preached, and I told him no, we taught Jesus’ example in John 13 where he washed his disciples’ feet and told them to follow his example, but we saw this as a symbol for humble service and not an example to follow literally. 

There are two reasons why a church should not feel it is necessary to literally wash feet in order to live according to the Bible.

·         Jesus was setting an example of humble service through a custom of his day that no longer exists. In those days, the host of a meal provided a servant to wash his guests’ feet, or performed the service himself, to show hospitality. None of the disciples in the upper room where they met on that occasion offered to wash feet. They were too busy arguing about who was the greatest. So Jesus, who clearly deserved more honor than anyone in the room, took a towel and a wash basin and did the dishonorable job of washing his disciples’ feet.

·         Jesus was performing a service that is no longer needed. Foot washing has become obsolete in the age of paved roads, cars, and comfortable footwear. The purpose of washing feet in the first century was to make guests comfortable. But just imagine having company over today and telling them to take off their shoes and socks so you can wash their feet! Would that make them comfortable? Absolutely not. 

After washing their feet, Jesus said to his disciples, “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:15). To understand what he meant by this, you must look to the intentions behind his actions. Why did he wash their feet? He wasn’t setting up a ritual. He was showing them what truly makes someone great—humble, loving service. 

What are the modern-day equivalents of washing feet? What services can we provide that no one else wants to do? Maybe it’s feeding the poor or mowing someone’s grass. Maybe it’s sitting with someone who is recovering from a long illness. Maybe it’s doing a needed job for which you will not get any credit. There are hundreds of possibilities. 

Jesus taught that the path to exaltation runs through humility (Matt. 23:12). Paul said, “Do not be too ambitious, but accept humble tasks” (Rom. 12:16, Goodspeed). What lowly task can you do today?

Drew Kizer