Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observation

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I couldn't agree more!!

I had a couple from church help me when my battery died in my car - - they took me to get the new battery, the husband installed it and I took them to dinner for helping me.

It meant so much to me that they gave up their Friday night to help me. It was humbling for me to allow someone to help me.

I suppose people are all just wired differently. Having someone in my home, or helping them with a car battery, or going into someone's house that is sick and cleaning their house, etc is a ton easier for me than participating in foot washing service. I agree a person should do those things, but for me, it's a whole lot easier to do those types of things you all describe than it is for me to be a foot washing service participant.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

I suppose people are all just wired differently. Having someone in my home, or helping them with a car battery, or going into someone's house that is sick and cleaning their house, etc is a ton easier for me than participating in foot washing service. I agree a person should do those things, but for me, it's a whole lot easier to do those types of things you all describe than it is for me to be a foot washing service participant.

That's because it's not all as culturally significant today as it was in Christ's day. Christ's point was that we are called to serve. Serving others is the point. Not a ceremonial foot washing.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

I actually think it's kinda dumb (no offense intended to anyone who believes it important).

This would be in a stark contrast to the example that Jesus set when he washed the disciples feet. Judas, who had not yet given into temptation was also present. Jesus, knowing all things, was about to wash his enemies feet. John Chapters 13-17 focuses on love - it is mentioned 31 times. I don't think any of it is dumb.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

A few years ago, I worked for a Pastor that so many held in high esteem. He truly is a great man of God, also been financially successful in business, has a nice home, etc. He's so smart, witty, a man of prayer, and just someone so many admire.

We had foot washing service, and all the men gathered. As we began to wash and pray over one another... many lined up to wash his feet... and he washed theirs as well.

But then I saw him go over to one of our project boys... a child that many in our church overlooked, had no use for, and thought the money used to reach out to was a waste.

And I saw that Bishop get on his feet, untie those dirty tennis shoes of that little black boy, and wash his feet and pray for him. And then look up at the little boy and explain to him that he wanted him to remember the whole purpose that he (my bishop) was on this earth was to love him (the little project boy) and show him the Love of Christ.

I would love someone to tell me how the above story is just a ceremony, and it's someone serving another in the love of Christ.

This act in this "ceremony" that night has changed how I view people and even treat people and participate in outreach... believe me, it meant something in regards to servanthood.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

This would be in a stark contrast to the example that Jesus set when he washed the disciples feet. Judas, who had not yet given into temptation was also present. Jesus, knowing all things, was about to wash his enemies feet. John Chapters 13-17 focuses on love - it is mentioned 31 times. I don't think any of it is dumb.

Foot washing was practical, the point was that people walked for miles in dust and dirt and camel dung in sandels. Washing feet was something that was usually done by servants or slaves or by the lowest members of the household. Christ's example was servanthood and letting nothing be beneath you in serving your fellow man in love.

Taking someone's very clean, pantyhose-clad feet from their brand new Easter shoes and washing them during a church service does not (to me) represent servanthood. There are one million and one ways to exhibit a servant's heart and we should be looking for those practical ways IMO. Never being satisfied with only cerimonial things. Standing on ceremony and missing the practical was something Jesus definitely taught against in His time. Now taking His actions while on earth and turning them into rote, I believe would not be any more pleasing to God.

As far as that little black boy Bro. Robbins discusses above... The people who resented him do not reflect Christ at all... and they can wash feet daily until Jesus comes back and will still not get it. To me a better example of servanthood would be to buy the 'poor little black boy with dirty tennis shoes' a nice outfit and some new shoes for church so that he could fit in with everyone else and not be refered to as a "project boy". Lord God help us when we have 'project people' who are simply included so that we can feel as if we are 'reaching down'.

I do not deny that maybe for some people this tradition is helpful in some way for their Christian growth... I simply wonder if we don't replace real life with traditions more often then we should. This is not to say that rememberance is a bad thing but it should be kept in it's proper place and not used to judge those who do not participate.

[Dalton]

I'm pretty sure that the almighty God who can see everything in the future to come, says what he means.

I hate how we get this idea that we are meant to read into everything and not actually read it.

Like old artists, everyone stares at the paintings and wonders why they done this what turmoil in their life made them do that. Maybe they just wanted to paint a vase? Or they thought that a tree looked pretty and wanted to paint it...

So by what most are saying god was saying...
"Greet in whatever way is customary at the time."

In rural mongolia the cultural norm is to exchange pipes as a greeting. I doubt god would want us doing that and I doubt thats very humbling.

(Unless these pipes are extremely expensive or something)

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Then that is good for you. I wash full humans all the time... even the cracks and crevices... and I've washed them alive and dead. I do not need to wash someones pantyhose clad feet to feel humble. I actually think it's kinda dumb (no offense intended to anyone who believes it important). I would think that a more humbling experience for someone who really enjoys personal space would be to invite some unlovely people into your home and cook them a meal and serve it on a regualr basis, or open your home to someone who has none, or go hold a dying drug addicted baby who has no one to love it while it passes.

This is one of my (admittedly many) gripes with organized religion... we have turned what was everyday life in Bible times, like washing the dust off of a travelers feet (after they had trod miles in the desert in sandals) and annointing their cracked bruised feet with oil for healing... Into a ritual done in a controlled enviornment, namely the 'church' and then we see ourselves as 'holy' for participating. And worse then that we see those who don't participate in a negative way. I feel the same way about communion in the way it is served as a sacrament... Better to get together with friends who are believers and remember the goodness of the Lord and His sacrifice and break a fresh loaf of hot crusty bread and have a glass of wine in His name and to His Honor.

Deep and sincere apologies for getting your name wrong. It is one of my biggest frustrations that I am not good with names. Quite embarrasing.

Excellent post

[houston]

Dalton is campaigning to bring back the holy kiss!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Foot washing was practical, the point was that people walked for miles in dust and dirt and camel dung in sandels. Washing feet was something that was usually done by servants or slaves or by the lowest members of the household. Christ's example was servanthood and letting nothing be beneath you in serving your fellow man in love.

Taking someone's very clean, pantyhose-clad feet from their brand new Easter shoes and washing them during a church service does not (to me) represent servanthood. There are one million and one ways to exhibit a servant's heart and we should be looking for those practical ways IMO. Never being satisfied with only cerimonial things. Standing on ceremony and missing the practical was something Jesus definitely taught against in His time. Now taking His actions while on earth and turning them into rote, I believe would not be any more pleasing to God.

As far as that little black boy Bro. Robbins discusses above... The people who resented him do not reflect Christ at all... and they can wash feet daily until Jesus comes back and will still not get it. To me a better example of servanthood would be to buy the 'poor little black boy with dirty tennis shoes' a nice outfit and some new shoes for church so that he could fit in with everyone else and not be refered to as a "project boy". Lord God help us when we have 'project people' who are simply included so that we can feel as if we are 'reaching down'.

I do not deny that maybe for some people this tradition is helpful in some way for their Christian growth... I simply wonder if we don't replace real life with traditions more often then we should. This is not to say that rememberance is a bad thing but it should be kept in it's proper place and not used to judge those who do not participate.

Abigail in 1Samuel 25:41 also humbled herself to David - "...behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord;"

You were admonishing Bro. Robbins:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Don't judge others Bro. Robinson, it's not good for your spirit.

But, you judged people when you said:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Taking someone's very clean, pantyhose-clad feet from their brand new Easter shoes

I believe I would take some excellent Bible examples regarding humility and servanthood over an emotional appeal against footwashing. I don't see how that replaces real life. It reaches further into the concept and the continuing awareness of what it actually means to be a servant.

You would then have to lump "communion" in with your statement. But, the Bible says, "After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." We are remembering what he has done for us on the cross.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

As far as that little black boy Bro. Robbins discusses above... The people who resented him do not reflect Christ at all... and they can wash feet daily until Jesus comes back and will still not get it. To me a better example of servanthood would be to buy the 'poor little black boy with dirty tennis shoes' a nice outfit and some new shoes for church so that he could fit in with everyone else and not be refered to as a "project boy". Lord God help us when we have 'project people' who are simply included so that we can feel as if we are 'reaching down'.

I do not deny that maybe for some people this tradition is helpful in some way for their Christian growth... I simply wonder if we don't replace real life with traditions more often then we should. This is not to say that rememberance is a bad thing but it should be kept in it's proper place and not used to judge those who do not participate.

I wonder if the little boy came back to the church for weeks afterward to find people more loving and helpful to him or was it business as usual for the young lad?