What is the purpose of a foot washing service?

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Esther

I edited my error not yours. Had a "the" that was not needed.

Uh, thanks!

I was begining to think there was a conspiracy!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by Ron

Uh, thanks!

I was begining to think there was a conspiracy!

No your good.

[LifeUncommon]

@Esther - I absolutely think we should serve others and be humble. That's what I've always thought that scripture was saying. And one of the reasons that the foot washing service befuddles me - it is not a service. No one at the foot washing services today come with dirty feet. It's nothing needful.

Are you saying you think it was more literal, in that Jesus was telling us we needed to wash each others feet literally? That's interesting. I've never heard it teached like that before. Do you have something to back you up on that interpretation as far as being able to tell from sentence structure, or in some other what, that is what was meant?

If so, lay it one me!!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by LifeUncommon

@Esther - I absolutely think we should serve others and be humble. That's what I've always thought that scripture was saying. And one of the reasons that the foot washing service befuddles me - it is not a service. No one at the foot washing services today come with dirty feet. It's nothing needful.

Are you saying you think it was more literal, in that Jesus was telling us we needed to wash each others feet literally? That's interesting. I've never heard it teached like that before. Do you have something to back you up on that interpretation as far as being able to tell from sentence structure, or in some other what, that is what was meant?

If so, lay it one me!!

John 13:14 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.

I don't see where any confusion can be in these scriptures. He plainly said you "ought" to wash each others feet.

"ought" 1. have a duty; be obliged: [you ought to obey your parents] 2. be right or suitable [it ought to be allowed] 3. be wise [I ought to go before it rains] 4. be expected: [ at your age you ought to know better] 5. be very likely: the fastest one ought to win the race
syn. 1. must, should
Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary

To me here He is saying you MUST I have given you an example of what I want you to do.

How is that confusing?

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Esther

John 13:14 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.

I don't see where any confusion can be in these scriptures. He plainly said you "ought" to wash each others feet.

"ought" 1. have a duty; be obliged: [you ought to obey your parents] 2. be right or suitable [it ought to be allowed] 3. be wise [I ought to go before it rains] 4. be expected: [ at your age you ought to know better] 5. be very likely: the fastest one ought to win the race
syn. 1. must, should
Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary

To me here He is saying you MUST I have given you an example of what I want you to do.

How is that confusing?

Correct, Jesus was speaking to those disciples, 2000 years ago, who practiced a CUSTOM of footwashing.

In there day and custom, YES, they should follow his EXAMPLE and humbly wash a brothers feet.

Bu i contend we have missed the PRINCIPLE Christ was teaching if we think washing someone feet here in America 2000 years later is the LESSON he wanted to impart to us.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

Correct, Jesus was speaking to those disciples, 2000 years ago, who practiced a CUSTOM of footwashing.

In there day and custom, YES, they should follow his EXAMPLE and humbly wash a brothers feet.

Bu i contend we have missed the PRINCIPLE Christ was teaching if we think washing someone feet here in America 2000 years later is the LESSON he wanted to impart to us.

Well I am puzzled how you are choosing to decide which scriptures was for only the disciples and which are for everyone even 2000 years later???

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Esther

Well I am puzzled how you are choosing to decide which scriptures was for only the disciples and which are for everyone even 2000 years later???

Common sense and maybe a bit of discernment. That's how I roll, it doesn't seem to work for everyone.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Esther

Well I am puzzled how you are choosing to decide which scriptures was for only the disciples and which are for everyone even 2000 years later???

A common problem of the modern day Church nowadays!
Actually, Jim Jones brought his own interpetation to the Scriptures at Peoples Temple which led to a thousand people losing their lives!

[LifeUncommon]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

Correct, Jesus was speaking to those disciples, 2000 years ago, who practiced a CUSTOM of footwashing.

In there day and custom, YES, they should follow his EXAMPLE and humbly wash a brothers feet.

Bu i contend we have missed the PRINCIPLE Christ was teaching if we think washing someone feet here in America 2000 years later is the LESSON he wanted to impart to us.

This exactly. I completely agree. There are so many passages in the Bible that are not literal. Like take up your cross and follow me. It says that. But it doesn't mean we should make a literal cross and drag it around.

That's why I was asking if you had a reason, Esther, for interpreting the foot washing literally. If you don't and its just a feeling that's fine. But that's what I was asking. Since you seem so sure of it, I thought you may have done some research that you were willing to share.

[LifeUncommon]

Originally Posted by Esther

John 13:14 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.

I don't see where any confusion can be in these scriptures. He plainly said you "ought" to wash each others feet.

"ought" 1. have a duty; be obliged: [you ought to obey your parents] 2. be right or suitable [it ought to be allowed] 3. be wise [I ought to go before it rains] 4. be expected: [ at your age you ought to know better] 5. be very likely: the fastest one ought to win the race
syn. 1. must, should
Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary

To me here He is saying you MUST I have given you an example of what I want you to do.

How is that confusing?

Interesting interpretation. Thanks for sharing. I guess you don't have the kind of reference I was looking for, but I can research on my own. Thanks for sharing your opinion.