Apostolic Friends Forum - Meaning of footwashing

John 13:3-20 KJV
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; [4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. [5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. [6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? [7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. [8] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. [9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. [10] Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. [11] For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. [12] So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? [13] Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. [14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. [16] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. [17] If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. [18] I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. [19] Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he . [20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Footwashing is not just a quaint archaic (obsolete) method of symbolizing humility. They were already sat for supper. The footwashing Jesus performed was not an ordinary washing of feet. That would have taken place upon the guest's arrival. No, this was different and significant (v. 7, v. 12). He states that His disciples are to continue this practice (vs. 14-16). So this was neither a simple one-time object lesson in general humility nor a mere ancient custom no longer applicable to believers today. There is more to the story.

John 13:10 KJV
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

The disciples were washed. They had been baptised (see John 3:3-5, John 3:22, and John 4:1-2). They only needed to wash their feet. From a natural perspective, especially in 1st century Judea, this kind of makes sense. If you've bathed, and then travelled to a house for a supper, all that is needed is to wash your feet.

But this was no ordinary supper. It was filled with spiritual new covenant significances. Breaking bread was an ordinary act, but Jesus gave a spiritual, supernatural significance to it. Jesus transformed an otherwise ordinary act common to 1st century Judean culture into a timeless, universal act with specific new covenant meaning and purpose. Breaking bread becomes sharing the broken body of Christ (1 Corinthians 11b). Wine becomes the blood of the new covenant. And footwashing becomes something significant also.

We know the Lord's Supper was to be a continued practice of His church (1 Corinthians 11:26). Footwashing was to continue as a new covenant Christian practice (John 13:15). It's connection with the Lord's Supper is clear. But what NEW COVENANT TRUTH does it signify?

The Lord's Supper is a memorial of His death. His resurrection is implicit in the act, because if Christ didn't rise from the grave then the whole of the Christian religion is vanity and pointless. The footwashing points to His death as well.

He that is washed (baptised) is clean... But he still needs his feet washed. Yet we do not wash our own feet in this mystical act as part of the Lord's Supper. We wash ONE ANOTHER'S feet. We are the Body of Christ. Paul said if you mistreat your brother in the Lord you mistreat Christ (1 Cor 11:27). At the Last Supper, Jesus washed His disciples feet. By allowing your brother to wash your feet you are in a spiritual sense allowing Jesus to wash your feet.

You are allowing Jesus to provide the washing that an otherwised washed and clean person needs. Washing and cleansing comes through obedience to the Word (John 15:3), especially in baptism (Ephesians 5:26). The footwashing represents the continued cleansing of the baptised believer during his or her post-baptism walk with God in this life. It is a reminder of our baptism and birth of water, of our entrance into and continued participation in the new covenant.

We are baptised into His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). The footwashing is an affirmation of our baptism's continued efficacy, that is, that we CONTINUE to be cleansed by the grace of our Lord as we journey in this life. It is a testimony that we have been put into the BODY, the Church, that we are His hands (and feet). That Christ ministers grace to us as we minister grace to each other. We are the vessels through which He operates. By washing your brethren's feet, you affirm your willingness to minister to Christ by ministering to His brethren (Matthew 25:40). By allowing your brethren to wash your feet, you acknowledge your willingness to allow Christ to minister to you through His brethren.

Footwashing is far more than just an archaic exercise in humility. It is a renewal of the consecrations you made in baptism, to serve the Lord, to be on HIS side, to follow in HIS Way.