Lord's Supper & Foot Washing Service Observation

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

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:



But, you judged people when you said:



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.

No I did not judge... I simply meant that their feet do not NEED washing. If they needed to be washed I'd be happy to do it. And to further horrify you I do 'lump' communion as it is practiced sacramentaly in with this.

I am not against anyone practicing foot washing... do what you will... but if I choose not to be a part of it how about if you don't assume that I am not willing to serve or crucify my flesh or whatever Bro. Robbins was assuming... When the truth is that I simply find it a ridiculous waste of time that means nothing to me and I have a hard time not laughing out loud as people weep over one another's feet.

I am a practicalist. If someone needs washing I am happy to do it, hair, bodies, rear ends, or feet. I have no pride whatsoever about it. I will and have brushed teeth and dentures. I will change an adult diaper. I will spoon feed someone who can not eat on their own.

I will not however wash perfectly clean feet of perfectly able bodied people and call it a religious experience when for me it is not.

For me helping in some tangible way... giving money, visiting, babysitting, cooking, cleaning, giving a ride, doing a load of laundry, fixing a broken window or a leaking faucet are ways to show love and be a servant. And when foot washing was done in bible times it was like that... feet were dirty bruised, cracked, and hurting. People are still dirty, bruised, cracked and hurting... but unless you are at a homeless mission, in a foreign land or at a podiatrists office, most times their feet... well they are just fine.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

When the truth is that I simply find it a ridiculous waste of time that means nothing to me and I have a hard time not laughing out loud as people weep over one another's feet.

Umkay.

[Titus2woman]

Let me give a little background and flesh out my thoughts a moment.

I was raised Catholic. The Catholic church is the epitome of sacrosanct tradition. Everything that is done is done by rote. I do not see this as something that helps people build a real relationship with the Savior and I have a very low tolerance for anything that resembles that. I see the washing of clean feet as just such a thing.

Still, I have no desire to hurt anyone's feelings. If people believe that they have had a deep religious experience in the washing of feet that is just alright with me. Perhaps I should have kept my opinion to myself on this, so as not to offend but felt I should express it after reading what a failure someone felt certain people were who do not feel like this is something they need to do.

I was simply trying to add the perspective of one who prefers to not participate in foot washing.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Let me give a little background and flesh out my thoughts a moment.

I was raised Catholic. The Catholic church is the epitome of sacrosanct tradition. Everything that is done is done by rote. I do not see this as something that helps people build a real relationship with the Savior and I have a very low tolerance for anything that resembles that. I see the washing of clean feet as just such a thing.

Still, I have no desire to hurt anyone's feelings. If people believe that they have had a deep religious experience in the washing of feet that is just alright with me. Perhaps I should have kept my opinion to myself on this, so as not to offend but felt I should express it after reading what a failure someone felt certain people were who do not feel like this is something they need to do.

I was simply trying to add the perspective of one who prefers to not participate in foot washing.

I don't believe that footwashing is any more a Biblical requirement than a baby dedication. But, I sure wouldn't hang around with anyone that would mock and laugh at a person or a group's small gesture of humility or a consecration.

[Truthseeker]

I'm a nurse, washing feet doesn't really humble me. I've washed more cracks and grooves then I can remember. Abdomen folds, crusty flaky feet, under breast, armpits, should I go on??? lol

It's being a servant to others in day to day life that I need to work on. I know of arrogant self serving types that did foot washing.

[MissBrattified]

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.

I think some people object because it's foreign in our culture. In Jesus' day, this was commonly the role of a servant--to wash the dust from someone's feet, and He took on the role of a servant and washed the feet of His disciples. It was a powerful moment. That same poignancy and meaning is often missed in modern day foot washing services because we don't have the same context. Even if we know from the story what it is supposed to mean, we still may not feel the same emotion from it, because emotion is linked to the ability to empathize or understand the deeper meaning behind the act.

That doesn't mean I think that foot washing is something we should avoid. I see value in the replication of the ceremony for the sake of it. I've never gotten the great spiritual blessing that some seem to get. When someone is washing my feet, I'm trying not to giggle because it tickles. I've never been moved to tears or spoken in tongues while having my feet washed or washing someone else's feet. I do agree that it is STILL a humbling experience--especially in this day and age when we are so aware of germs, so sensitive to smells and have such magnified personal boundaries. THAT part still holds true.

One thing that really grates on my nerves, which has no bearing on this conversation really, is when women leave on their pantyhose for a foot washing. WHY????? It feels SO odd to wash a woman's foot that is still in the stocking. LOL!!!!

My other pet peeve is the spiritual pressure that some churches place on this ceremony. It has to be *so* serious and *so* spiritual. Sad faces, crying, prayerful attitudes and speaking in tongues are allowed, but smiling, laughing and having a good time is somehow disrespectful. I don't get that attitude from the scriptural account at all, and I think it's silly to make people feel like they can't act naturally.

Anyway, I appreciate the ceremony for what it is--it is the reproduction of a ceremony Jesus performed with His disciples. I don't view it as some great spiritual experience, I see it as a practical act of humility. Further, I don't expect modern day Christians to truly appreciate the concept since we live in a culture where footwashing isn't common, and neither are servants. I still think the ceremony has value, mainly because Jesus said He wanted us to continue the ritual. Maybe, at the very least, He always wanted us to think about serving one another in humility--and this ritual IS a reminder of that.

[Titus2woman]

Bratty, I wanna be you when I grow up... You restated my position with a great deal more sweetness then I seem to posess.

When I said I could not keep from laughing, I meant it. Not in a disrespectful way but just that some things are FUNNY. Washing feet clad in pantyhose is funny. Pink toenails with little flowers painted on are cute. But the foot washings I have beent\ to (admittedly only three) were all weepy, sorrowful events. It was as if mourning were expected. Ours were always on New Years Eve during a watch night service. At midnight I'm always a little giddy and punchy anyway....

Of course I had a terrible time not laughing at some of the antics in regular services too but usually they are so loud that no one really heard my chuckles or they mistook them for holy laughter

PO I just continue to offend you no matter how I try to explain. I am sorry we differ here. I truly hope and pray that you can see past that and not continue to feel as if I am someone you wouldn't 'hang out' with.

Truthseeker, maybe it's a nurse thing... I wash a lot of skin... all those things you've described and of course as you know, worse. I did wound care for a couple of years. When I see how many people really have no one to love them, no one that ever touches them, no one to care for them when they are sick I just find so many other ways to fill the time then cerimony.

Now if your feet are dirty or hurting I'm all about helping you out with that.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Truthseeker, maybe it's a nurse thing... I wash a lot of skin... all those things you've described and of course as you know, worse. I did wound care for a couple of years. When I see how many people really have no one to love them, no one that ever touches them, no one to care for them when they are sick I just find so many other ways to fill the time then cerimony.

Now if your feet are dirty or hurting I'm all about helping you out with that.

Maybe the real meaning of Jesus washing there feet was to teach us to fill whatever need our brothers have. He didn't do it as a ceremony but an actual need.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

PO I just continue to offend you no matter how I try to explain. I am sorry we differ here. I truly hope and pray that you can see past that and not continue to feel as if I am someone you wouldn't 'hang out' with.

I have cried, spoken in tongues and felt God's wonderful, lovely, powerful Spirit engulf me and those participating. I have also washed my enemies feet and came away released from anger and restored. To me, it is a beautiful and powerful remembrance, and for some, an awakening of how deep and pure our love and service to each other and our community reaches. To do the most humble and menial thing of kneeling and washing a person's feet.... I have never been in a footwashing that wasn't a beautiful experience.

I have never been a member of a church that forced anyone to participate. It was always an option. So, perhaps we come away with what our environment produced or our character brought to it.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

When I said I could not keep from laughing, I meant it. Not in a disrespectful way but just that some things are FUNNY. Washing feet clad in pantyhose is funny. Pink toenails with little flowers painted on are cute. But the foot washings I have beent\ to (admittedly only three) were all weepy, sorrowful events. It was as if mourning were expected. Ours were always on New Years Eve during a watch night service. At midnight I'm always a little giddy and punchy anyway....

I agree. This bothers me, because not only is the ceremony orchestrated (of course--it's a ritual ), but the outcome is also orchestrated, or at least attempts are made to that end. It's one thing to want everyone to participate; it's quite another to arrogantly insist that everyone have the same emotional experience or else. (Or else they will be judged as less spiritual, or else they will be judged as not being real Christians, or else they will be judged as not taking Christ seriously, etc. etc.) It is not necessary for anyone to cry, speak in tongues or even pray fervently during foot washing. Mind you, I don't disdain anyone who does, or who has a great spiritual experience during the ceremony. I just wish others wouldn't look down on those who can't keep a straight face. We had ladies in our church who would giggle and others who would pray. I'm fine with it either way. It's VERY silly to read into this very human reaction--and it's taking oneSELF too seriously. It has nothing to do with taking God seriously.

I have a feeling if any person came to your home with sore, swollen, tired or dirty feet, you would have no trouble tending to their feet, and that is what is at the core of this ceremony. Taking on Christ-like humility and serving others. Anyone who uses this occasion to feel spiritually superior to those who either don't participate or those who don't participate to their standards is missing the point ENTIRELY. It's straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.