THE ULTIMATE SIGN OF HUMILITY- FEET WASHING? LET US EXPLORE! ….ST. JOHN 13 VERSE 14

INTRODUCTION

Well mon, people it is that time of the month again! You thought January was bad February was even more hectic has been travelling by foot and public transportation in the southern part of the United States where transportation is almost non-existent. Had to be escorted out of Virginia and took a bus to the remotest part of South Carolina, Rock Hill. I had long stretches of walking in Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina. Baltimore is a city I would not like to visit again. Pennsylvania I would do again. It has character.  Washington, District of Colombia I am looking forward to visit again I need to visit the Library of Congress and the Episcopal Church that the President attends plus I need to get some pictures of the other sites especially that view from the Lincoln Memorial right across the pool to the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill.  I can still see it in my mind’s eye. I also need a picture of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. The African American Museum of Black History was fantastic except for the descending order of things. I have also found a nice African American Library here in Atlanta that has some very useful information and books. Schromburg in Harlem,  New York might want to swap notes with them. Lovely displays if I was sticking around I would join their writers’ club sounds interesting. 

I started writing this Blog in the Amtrak Station at Staple Mills Road in Richmond Virginia where I had to wait for four hours for my transportation. I don’t know when I will finish I am presently typing from the Fulton County Public Library on Peachtree Avenue in Atlanta. That is downtown Atlanta. I arrived in Atlanta on March 3 in the wee hours of the morning. Some famous sites are all around. I visited the Centennial Olympic Park and took the Atlanta Street Car. I did not get to visit the sites I wanted to because on my way to World Changers International my bus pass that I purchased as I arrived for US$18 was stolen. The lying Christians knew what had happened and tried to perpetrate the lie a bit further. My mind has been turned off the place ever since.

Let me tell you about this incident. I just went into the Street Car because I had a valid MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) ticket.  By the next stop I came off when I looked behind me a police had boarded the street car and started asking for tickets.  There was a gentleman on the street car with his child fast asleep and very comfortable when I went on. The only reason why the Policeman turned up is because I am closely monitored and it appears you need a special ticket for the Street Car. The gentleman sleeping had no ticket for his sake I was sorry I went on the street car, because he and his child would have completed their nap and then gone on their way.  Now you see why I isolate myself from other people. My persecutors are very vindictive and if they can’t hurt me they will hurt anyone within reach. The United States is a police state, everywhere i go people are threatening me with police actions.  Cameras are everywhere, one bus driver in South Carolina over there in Devine, told me to stop singing on the bus because i am being observed by the cameras. The fact that the joy of the Lord is my strength was upsetting my persecutors. Then there are the paid liars called security guards. I had to tell a Librarian in Richmond, Virginia 'liar, liar pants on fire'.

REFLECTIONS

Just thought this is something I should know more about since Jesus did it and He is our perfect example. I don’t see many churches doing this but there are many things of Jesus that most churches don’t do. Apostle Paul said follow me as I follow Christ I Corinthians 11 verse 1. When other persons veer you continue to follow the strait path.  Be like the Bereans test every scripture Acts 17 verse 11.

In this Blog we will be looking at what is this phenomenon and who did it. How is it entwined in the Jewish culture? Is the washing of feet relevant today in the church?  

CRITICAL DEFINITION

Humility- is in Christ. I don’t care how humble you might think yourself to be if you do not say Jesus Christ is Lord you do not have true humility. When one confesses Jesus Christ as Lord they are saying God You are in charge and I am not. In Him you live, move and have your being.

Dictionary Definition- Merriam Webster – Freedom from pride or arrogance, the quality or state of being humble.

I.                FEET WASHING - Jewish Culture

The Jews had all sorts of rules but when one examines the different rules especially where hygiene was concerned it was for the benefit of all the people. However, the means became the end in the culture, as Jesus had to say to the Pharisees and Sadducees  on many occasions the rules had become more important than the people. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson would say the law is not a shackle. The Reggae Boyz (The Jamaica World Cup Football team) had qualified for the world cup and the Prime Minister had immediately declared the day a National Holiday, without following observed protocols. A number of persons disagreed hence his comment.  Jamaica is just Jamaica people. Now you see why I never planned to live in North America.  We are a unique set of people.

Getting back to the Jews! Feet washing was a part of the culture because persons wore sandals. The roads were not paved and animals used the roadways also and released their droppings . Reminds me of some releases I have had to make in recent times. No more details people that is for the book!! Other examples of scriptures which make mention of washing of feet are Abigail I Samuel 25 verse 41 and the Apostle Paul speaking to the criteria of being a good widow I Timothy 5 verses 9 - 10. As I am writing this section I am in Fredericksburg, (FRED Regional buses) Virginia in a bus terminal called The Lawrence A. Davies Transit Center with my shoes off and I am reflecting that I could do with a little feet massage myself.  My feet have covered a number of miles in recent times.
One must remember that foot washing, especially those of strangers, was a custom of the times. It demonstrated a person's love, kindness, hospitality, and concern for people; other than just their family and friends. There is a most beautiful illustration of this to be found in St. Luke 7 verses 36 - 50. The Lady with the Alabaster box.  Let us listen to the song by CeCe Winans. 

II.        JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES’ FEET – St. John 13

Jesus did this when He was about to go out of an act of love. The stage is set.

Verse 2  – Supper was ended Judas had done his thing.

Verse 3  – Jesus was aware of who He is and where He was going.

Verse 4 – His actions were deliberate and well thought out not haphazard. He rose laid aside his garments a towel and girded Himself

Verse 5 – He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and wipe them with the towel He had on His waist.

Verse 6 – It is now Peter’s turn. Lord help my Holy Ghost. Peter said, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Verse 7 – Jesus answered Peter you don’t understand now but it will be clear to you later.

Verse 8 – Peter with his indomitable self-told Jesus He would never wash his feet. Jesus  informed him ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.’

Verse 9 – When Peter heard this he changed his mind and wanted a complete bath ‘Lord not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Verse 10 – Jesus explained to Peter that it was only necessary to wash the feet after one has been saved indicating that one has to mindful of their Christian walk.  He also mentioned the fact that not all the disciples were clean.

Verse 11 – Indicated that this was Judas.

Verse 12 – After the exercise was complete; a teaching moment (these are the things that makes me wonder what most Pastors are doing, everything is present in the bible) He posed an open ended question. Know ye what I have done to you? To get them thinking and then He started the lesson. Jesus spoke to the fact that they called Him Master and Lord and that He was deserving of the title since he was their Lord and Master and had washed their feet they were to go and do likewise to each other. He told them that what He has done was an example.

Verse 16 – Jesus said verily, verily, when God repeats Himself you have to sit up and pay attention.  Jesus was speaking to the equality of all men. We might hold different positions in Society but under God we are equal. He told them as leaders they need to know that and they will be happy if they do them.

He then spoke of the betrayal of Judas which indicates that life is not going to be perfect.

Verse 20 – He that receiveth His disciples also receives Him and whosoever receiveth Him receiveth God.

III.    RELEVANCE OF FEET WASHING

These days’ people my life is much uncomplicated Jesus is the perfect example He knew no sin.  He would not do anything to harm me.  He did it, that settles it. I really don’t get into the intellectual gibberish. I really wonder if some Pastors read the Bible. I read some articles and they were talking about the numbers game.  Let us further examine what took place in St. John 13. Jesus had twelve Apostles and many disciples.  He washed the Apostles feet.  That was the leadership of the new movement those who would lead when He was gone. Those who He took three and one half years pouring Himself into.  There is no indication that he washed the other disciples’ feet. The Apostles were to go and do likewise. For those of you who have mega churches the principle is already laid down in Exodus 18.

Jesus did not wash the feet of the sheep because all we sheep do is walk around aimlessly eat grass and drink water.  The leadership is the job of the shepherd.  When the first Passover meal was instituted there was no washing of feet. Exodus 12 verses 1 - 28.  It was done hastily people fully clothed ate hurriedly and there was no washing of feet. Exodus 13 verses 31-33.
Remember i am sheep people as the Apostle Paul would say it is not said by Jesus but by me.  I am saying this is not in the Bible and we sheep don't have much sense but from where i am sitting up to the book of Exodus we really had only two major characters Joseph and Moses. The Bible said in Numbers 12 verse 3 that Moses was the meekest man. Before Jesus' time you had all those

Prophets and Kings which were so puffed up and did so many dastardly things.  We just did a comprehensive study of king Saul and even King David (the man after God's heart) Acts 13 verse 22. We even had King Uzziah who got so puffed up with his successes that he decided that he could perform the duties of the Priests. God struck him with leprosy immediately II Chronicles 26 verses 16 - 21.  It is my humble prognosis that God was just implementing another check and balance through His son, to protect the leadership. Take it from me the life of a sheep is nice.  I have done Church from both sides and I prefer being a part of the flock. 

CONCLUSION

In concluding, let me say that the washing of feet is even more relevant today where men have become so puffed up because of technological advancement and the size of their ministries.  In all of this the lesson of Christ is still humility and servanthood that we should be our brother’s keeper and not executioner.

My suggestion to most Pastors in North America is that they visit the McDonald's outlets after 12 a.m. in their areas which have become a refuge for most homeless and indigents and let the church be the Church. You all might all stop having empty churches.

This is me Lillene’s baby girl coming to you from the city of Atlanta, Georgia, USA. They have the most fantastic Airport JFK eat your heart out.

À bientôt!!

REFERENCES
1. VII.4 SHOULD WE PRACTICE FOOT WASHING TODAY?
2. Washing of Feet: Is It Relevant In Today's Church?