Foot Washing

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there. They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the LORD and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the LORD—or they will die! They must always wash their hands and feet, or they will die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be observed from generation to generation.” [Exodus 30.17-21]

As I read this today, I could not help but think of Jesus washing His disciples' feet.

The importance of the washing presented here to Moses was simple: do it or die.

Is there any application of this today? Well, the fact that Jesus demonstrated the practice of washing feet to us should be enough for us to conclude that it is for us today.

"Who is it for?" is a real good question to ask. In Moses' day, it was reserved for the priests who carried the burdens of the people before the LORD. Jesus seems to have changed that. Jesus basically commissioned any and all who would submit to it to the work of ministry - the work of reconciliation - the work of prayer - the work of healing and deliverance.

Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. [John 13.3-5]

John revealed something very important in the passage above: Jesus knew He had been given all authority. So, what did He do? He washed His disciples' feet.

It gets better... Knowing that He had been given all the authority, Jesus proceeded to tell His disciples:

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. [John 13.12-17]

Do you realize that Jesus washed Judas' feet at this time as well? It wasn't until after this event that Judas left and betrayed Jesus!

This passage from the Bible is full of amazing and insightful detail. It is as remarkable a demonstration for us today as it was for His disciples when Jesus did it. Will we comprehend it?

One last thing: it should not be overlooked that Aaron and the priests washed their own feet. Contrast this fact with what Jesus did. The implications of this are DEEP! Death is to be avoided in the washing...

Father, I can only thank You for Jesus right now. I am not sure I even comprehend all that the "washing" discussed here really means, but I am certain it is crucial to salvation. Jesus brought this salvation (signaled by washing His disciples' feet) and indicated that His submission to do so was an example FOR US!