Along with my friend, I went to preach in a remote village church. We were invited for dinner in a leader’s home. When we sat, suddenly the hosts came with large buckets, towels, soap, and basins. They washed our feet. When we asked why they did it; they reasoned: “If we wash preachers’ feet, we will receive blessings and so when we provide food to them.” Foot washing for them was a ritual that earns blessings. It was like the beliefs in many cultures and religions.
When Lord Jesus demonstrated and taught about foot washing, what was his intention? (John 13:14)
1) No tokenism: Washing of feet is just a ritual or token gesture. In some churches it is practiced once a year as part of liturgy. In fact, foot washing should be ‘lifelong’ paradigm, attitude, and mindset. That is to serve one another with love and humility.
2) Do not gossip: Wearing socks in sultry climate is difficult. Socks could smell if not cleaned properly. Foot washing is not to gossip like saying: “See his feet, how his socks smell?” Helping a person to keep up personal discipline, hygiene and consistent spiritual growth is foot-washing service.
3) Not too hot water: Foot washing cannot be done with too hot water. There are people who are too fervent, zealous and legalistic that they discourage and confuse new growing believers. Such people try to take control of their lives and destroy them. Sometimes, such believers run away from the churches.
4) Not too cold water: Foot washing cannot be done with too cold water. It is not ‘ice-bucket’ challenge. Community of believers cannot be too cold in their relationship with fellow believers. Being distant or indifferent with fellow-Christians is like foot washing with too cold water.
5) Wash with Word: When we minister to fellow believers, we should wash with the Word. (Ephesians 5:26) Teaching, exhorting, consoling, comforting, confronting, and counselling one another with the Word of God is true foot washing.
Do I practice foot washing in real sense?