Feet washing: Biblical truth or tradition

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.