YEMI OLAKITAN
Feet washing service
is often conducted by certain denominations in Christendom while it is neglected
by some, though the Lord Jesus Christ commanded the practice in the bible.
The Bible, the book of John
13:1-17 narrated how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet prior to his cruxifcion
and resurrection. Many Christian denominations such as the Catholic Church have
continued with the practice but some have not.
According to the encyclopedia
Britannica, ‘‘Feet washing, also called washing of feet, is a
religious rite practiced by the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church on Maundy Thursday of
Holy Week (preceding Easter) and by members of some other Christian churches in
their worship services. The early Christian church introduced the custom to imitate
the humility and selfless love of Jesus, who washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper (John
13:1–15), the night before his Crucifixion. The practice was originally an act
of hospitality in Palestinian homes performed for guests (who wore sandals and
walked on dusty roads) by a servant or the wife of the host. St. Paul refers to
the custom in 1 Timothy 5:10 and St. Augustine mentions it in one of his
letters about ad 400. The Maundy Thursday ceremony,
observed in Rome by the pope and locally in parish churches, first appeared in
the Spanish liturgy of the 7th century.’’
In a chat with Reverend father Paul Akin-Otiko,
OP, of the Catholic Church, University of Lagos; He said feet washing are done
on Holy Thursday during the Easter Week. We celebrate the institution of the
Eucharist and the priesthood. It was before Jesus at the last supper that he
washed the feet of his disciples. He told them that they should do the same as
a mark of service and humility. In the
Catholic Church, it is the priest that does the washing of feet and he does so
as mark of service and humility just as Jesus did to his disciples. When a
priest does that he shows that he is doing it as a servant. He does as one who
imitates the lord and in the spirit of service to others and to the Lord.’’
Speaking further, Father Akin-Otiko said, ‘‘the priest does not wash
everybody’s feet, he selects 12 persons to represent the disciples of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
These 12 people are chosen from among the congregation. The feet washing service as a biblical
backing. Jesus did it and commanded us to do it and we have been doing it in
obedience to his commandment. The significance of the feet washing service is
to show that those who want to become leaders must serve others and Christ
intended that we should all serve one another.’’
Father
Paul Akin-Otiko quoted, the book of John 13: 1-17 which reads, ‘‘13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the
hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own
who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal
was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon
Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all
things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to
God; 4 so
he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel
around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin
and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus
replied, “You
do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my
feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you,
you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not
just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus
answered, “Those
who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.
And you are clean, though not every one of you.”11 For
he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet,
he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand
what I have done for you?” he asked them.13 “You
call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now
that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one
another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should
do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is
greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now
that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’’
In another Chat with Pastor
Favoured of the Living Faith Church, Lekki, he said, ‘‘feet washing service is
one of the doctrines of the Living faith Church and we do it in faith since
Jesus commanded it. We believe that if we do it we will have a part with Jesus.
It is a biblical injunction as it is written in the book of John 13. We do not
do anything that contrary to the scriptures in the Living faith Church. It also
reminds the believers of the importance that Jesus placed on service and
humility. This is what the Christian faith is all about; Jesus said by this,
men will know that ye are my disciples if you have love amongst yourselves.
Service is a product of love,’ he said.
In another chat with Leader Rotimi
Akinbami of the celestial Church of Christ, he said, ‘‘Feet washing is one of
the doctrines laid down for the celestial Church of God by the Late Oshofa, the
founder of the celestial Church of Christ. It is one of the very important
doctrines in the Celestial Church of Christ. This practice is observed by the
Church all over the world in accordance with the scriptures. The feet washing
service is conducted by the shepherded of the Church and he washes the feet of
every member of the church that is present during the service.’’ Speaking further,
he said, it is a symbol of humility and service to our fellowman,’’ he said.
Prophetess Victoria Akinbani on the
other hand said, feet washing is cannot be argued on the excuse that it is
merely a metaphor or symbol of humility and service and so we do not need to
observe feet washing service. Jesus, specifically in verses 13:14–17,
instructed us: 14 "If
I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash
one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an
example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most
assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he
who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you
know these things, blessed are you if you do them." We do it during the Holy Week in accordance
with the Lord’s instructions,’’ she said.
Speaking on the practice, Deaconess Shola Abimbola of Global Church of the Living God, ‘’Jesus
said we should wash one another’s feet he was talking about real service, not a
ritual. When Jesus said, wash one another's feet, he meant, serve one another.
He simply used a specific example as a figure of speech representing all types
of service. Jesus is saying that we should humble ourselves and be willing to
do even menial tasks for one another.
This is not to say that it is wrong for Christians to wash one another's
feet. We obey the intent of Jesus'
command not by washing our guests' feet, but by helping them in other ways.
There is no need to insist on taking the command literally. We need to focus
more on the intent’’
In
another chat with Evangelist Ezekiel of House on the Rock Church, Lekki, he
said, ‘feet washing are a symbolic practice, whether we observe it or not in
our churches do not really matter. What is important is the point Jesus was
trying to make when he did it. He was trying to tell us to be humble, to serve
and love one another to the point of washing each other’s feet.
