It was about five-years ago when out-of-the-blue, a friend said, "God has asked me to wash your feet. May I wash your feet?”
Yes, I was shocked. Although I knew about and had watched foot-washing services, it had not been a part of my Baptist upbringing. It was something I always associated with either more liturgical or Pentecostal churches.
The experience was life-changing. A sign-post on my spiritual journey. For me, it was an example of someone being so sold-out to God they were willing to do anything, no matter how awkward or unusual. It also sent a very clear message to me that God knew my deepest needs and heart-cry and He was indeed anointing me for further service as I would soon be making my mission trip to India.
John 14:13 The Message, says: “So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do.”
Before the Passover meal, Jesus demonstrated how Christians are to love one another through humble service. Jesus said, “Let me give you a new command. Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”(John 13:34-35 Message)
This commandment to love one another came as a precursor to the very manifestation of the "mandate" —as Christ allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified as a sign of His total obedience unto God the Father and His love for all people.
As we bow down like humble servants, we learn the obedience of Christ that ushers in the kingdom of God’s love. Symbolically washing someone’s feet is a way of restoring them to their best for the Lord and others. By our love, we encourage people to rise above their shackling circumstances and enable them to walk upright in their anointed Calling.
How wonderful that our own difficulties need not prevent us from doing good, that in spite of our own pain, we can still bring encouragement to others!
“It is clearly not true that we have to be perfect before we can help another person. Frequently a ‘wounded healer’ is used to bring hope and well-being to another, which results in growth well beyond that experienced by the giver. Sometimes the wounded healer can bring to the other the very blessing and healing for which the healer himself or herself is seeking.” – Charles Ringma
Henri Nouwen reminds us that frequently one “must look after his own wounds, but at the same time be prepared to heal the wounds of others.”
The practice of washing another’s feet reminds us of the biblical principles of servant-hood, humility, and forgiveness. Foot-washing is symbolic and reminds us that we are called to serve others—for the glory of God.
Many churches practice foot-washing ceremonies as part of their Maundy Thursday services, but how much more life-changing when foot-washing happens anytime just because of the Holy Spirit’s leading, friend-to-friend.
