At times Biblical symbols can be taken and used in modern contexts because of how impactful they were. This is true of symbols like the cross, doves, the fish symbol, and also of feet washing. But the challenge we have is when we take a symbol or action done in one context (social, cultural, historical) and force it into another context. A symbol stripped of its context can be easily manipulated or even misunderstood. So what was the original context of feet washing and how should we understand this Biblical symbol today?
Feet washing in the Ancient Near East (ANE) was a sign of hospitality and would have been performed for guests who entered a house (Gen 18:4; 19:2; 24:32). In wealthier homes, a servant would have been tasked with the responsibility of washing feet (1 Sam 25:41) and would have been the lowest role in the house among even the servants.
A guest who entered someone else’s home would show respect to that household through their speech and actions. So, the very symbol of feet washing is rooted in a context that desired to communicate hospitality from the host. And it would have come with an implicit responsibility and respect that should be given by the guest who entered that household.
This household theme of “welcome” and “responsibility” is also expressed in Exodus 30:19 where foot washing was a requirement for anyone who entered the presence of God in the sanctuary. That the sanctuary was the residing place of the presence of God (imagery of household) and those that enter are his guests.
In the New Testament, we find two scenes with Jesus that help us see how Jesus viewed this Old Testament practice in his context. In Luke 7:44 Jesus critiques Simon who failed to give him water to wash his feet and praises the women who on bended knees washed the feet of the Messiah with her tears.
In an almost shocking scene (John 13:3-17) we find Jesus the Son of God taking on the posture of a servant (remember, servants were the ones normally who would wash the feet of guests exclusively) on bended knees to wash the feet of his disciples. This is a reversal of what took place in Luke 7:44 but maintains the image of humility and servitude. Remember, Jesus is the Rabbi but now he takes the posture of a servant. Which shouldn’t shock us because Jesus is God who took on the form of humanity (Phil 2).
There is a reason for the repetition of Scripture!
But why does Jesus do this? Before we can just highjack this symbol and leverage it for modern application let’s determine exactly what it meant in this situation for these disciples that Jesus loved. In doing so we can draw an appropriate conclusion as to how we should think about this symbol today.
The symbol is meant to reinforce the extravagant humility of Christ who came to serve and not be served (Mt 20:28). This posture of humility would thus be the expected, normal, and foundational posture for all children of God as we follow the example of the firstborn of all creation, Christ Himself. One Scholar comments, “[Jesus] His act of humility actually cleansed their [the disciples] hearts of selfish ambition, killed their pride, and taught them the lesson of love.1
The symbol communicates the cleansing of sin which would be made possible through the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ who endures the cross. This would not have been a new or novel idea because foot washing was a normal practice for the priests who prepared to enter the sanctuary as a cleansing ritual (Exod 30:19; 21; 40:31.)
The symbol that we have in front of us, Jesus on bended knee washing the feet of sinners is meant to be simple, but not simplistic.2 It is a simple act of humble service that must be extended to all image-bearers of Christ in compassion and love. And, it is far from simplistic because this compassion and kindness must be directly connected to a call to be cleansed and purified through the atoning work of Jesus.
Jesus washed all the disciple’s feet. But not all the disciples accepted the call to be cleansed.
Judas lived out his rebellion which led him to hang on a tree, rather than be rescued by the one who hung on a tree on our behalf. Peter in repentance returned to Christ and followed the call to shepherd and care for God’s people.
Friends, don’t get this symbol of Jesus washing feet twisted. It is a humble symbol that comes with a tremendous cost. It is an offer of extravagant and costly grace. It is an expression of compassion that should lead to Holy Spirit conviction. The presence of compassion without gospel conviction, or gospel conviction without compassion dishonors this profound symbol that we are all drawn to.
And let’s not forget, the symbol is but a shadow that points to something of substance - Jesus, Himself.
—
For more on the humility of Christ, you can get my book, “The Hidden Peace”
F. L. Anderson and Daniel Webster Kurtz, “Washing of Feet,” ed. James Orr et al., The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), 3072.
A favorite quote of mine from my friend and licensed counselor, Jim Cress.