KEEP fresh in mind the great events of our Lord's life is of primary importance to the church. To have them fade from consciousness brings weakness and ultimate defeat. Our faith must be stimulated and strengthened. This is why divine wisdom chose to provide the memorial of our Saviour's vicarious, sacrificial death in the Lord's Supper, and the memorial of His glorious, triumphant resurrection in the ordinance of baptism. What of His humble life of living service? Is there no memorial for it?
The crisis in His life came on the eve of the last Passover. We see it now as the crisis of the ages, the turning point of history. While the cross is the focal point, the victory—both for the Saviour Himself and for the infant church—was actually won the preceding night. From Gethsemane the Saviour emerged victorious. Earlier in the evening, at the Last Supper, the church was saved from imminent disruption by the graphic demonstration of Jesus' love for every one of His disciples.
A mighty challenge confronted Jesus that historic evening. Something had to be done at once to save the infant church. At its very launching, the ship of Zion was about to be wrecked on the shoals of selfishness and greed. For the church to live and succeed, thoughts of self-aggrandizement must be completely submerged in the one great, compelling thought of unselfish service— such service as characterized the life of our Lord Himself. Love must dominate every other motive. It must control the lives of His followers, as it had controlled the life of Jesus.
The problem that confronted the Saviour that evening is ably stated by the messenger of the Lord in these inspired words: "How could He show that it is loving service, true humility, which constitutes real greatness? How was He to kindle love in their hearts, and enable them to comprehend what He longed to tell them?"—The Desire of Ages, p. 644. Divine love found the answer. He would wash the alienation from their hearts as He washed the dust from their feet. He would fill their hearts with love by His Spirit, as He knelt before them, girt with a towel, like the coarse apron of a slave, and lovingly ministered to them. "I am among you as he that serveth," He had told them. Now He fully demonstrated it. Indeed, His was a life of humble, self-sacrificing, loving service. Love solved the problem. The very record of His washing of the disciples' feet begins with the statement, "He loved them unto the end" (John 13:1).
Preparation had been made for the washing of their feet before they partook of the Passover supper. The basin, water, and towel were all in readiness. We know, too, that in preparation for the festival they would be most meticulous in their personal grooming. But, being sandaled, their feet would be hot and dusty, and would need refreshing. No thought was given as to who would do the humble service for them. One of them would, of course. But no one moved. Their thoughts were too much of self. It was then that the Master arose, took a basin and towel, and began to wash their feet. What a scene to behold! Angels must have been present to witness it, and to marvel at the demonstration of divine love. Demons also must have been present; for it was there, after the demonstration of such love, that the record states: "Satan entered into him [Judas]" (John 13:27). _
Who was first to be served? Was it Judas? It may well have been; for Jesus was greatly burdened for him. We are told that "he was troubled in spirit" (verse 21), as He thought of the one who was about to betray Him. And Judas was next to the Lord at the table. Possibly it was to cover up his real intent that Judas had "pressed next to Christ."—Ibid. John was at Christ's other side. The disciples must have known Judas' critical attitude, even if they had no inkling of the dastardly deed he was contemplating. And knowing his attitude, they must have been amazed at Jesus' love. Indeed, Judas himself was deeply impressed. We are told that "the heart of Judas thrilled through and through with the impulse then and there to confess his sin. But he would not humble himself."—Ibid., p. 645.
The first to protest was Peter. He could not understand. Why was the Master thus humbling Himself? Had He forgotten His position? Was not this beneath His dignity? No, Jesus had not forgotten. He acted deliberately. He was not unmindful that "the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God" (John 13:3). To Peter's protest He gently replied, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." The vehement Peter responded, "Thou shalt never wash my feet." Others might allow the Master to humble Himself for them, but not he. What a surprise it must have been to him to be told, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." Such a thought Peter could not entertain. He must not be cut off from his Lord. Passionately he cried out, "Not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." The Lord's answer is very enlightening. " 'He who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but he is clean all over; and you are clean, but not all of you' " (John 13: 10, R.S.V.).
Just as those who had come from the bath needed only the dust washed from their feet; so the disciples had been cleansed from their sins in the "fountain opened . . . for sin and for uncleanness" (Zech. 13:1), and needed only to allow the Saviour to continue His work of grace upon their hearts, washing them from all selfishness, all striving for self-aggrandizement. All but Judas had submitted to His cleansing, and were clean. Bernard of Clairvaux, the twelfth-century author of those beautiful hymns, "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" and "Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts," stated the matter very succintly, when he wrote: "Feet-washing is a cleansing of those daily offenses which seem inevitable for those who walk in the dust of the world."'—The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Vol. V, p. 3073.
Let us think, then, of the spiritual lessons this ordinance of foot washing has for Christians today.
1. It is a memorial of Christ's life—His humility, expressed in His incarnation and life of humble, loving service. It is neither humiliating, nor an exercise in humility. The messenger of the Lord says: "Christ's followers are to bear in mind the example of Christ in His humility. This ordinance is to encourage humility, but it should never be termed humiliating, in the sense of being degrading to humanity. It is to make tender our hearts toward one another."—Ellen G. White in Review and Herald, May 31, 1898. In answer to the question as to what the ordinance signifies, Elder Uriah Smith wrote: "It is a memorial of the humility of our 'Lord and Master,' the Prince of glory, just as the bread and wine is a memorial of His death, and baptism of His resurrection."—Ibid., June 16, 1868. We should note that thus the Lord has left us three memorials: (I) of His life, (2) of His death, and (3) of His resurrection. The lowly ordinance of washing one another's feet assumes a new importance, indeed, when we regard it as the memorial of Jesus' life.
2. It affords a special privilege of participating with the Lord, and with one another in service. Viewed in this light, it is an exaltation. Emphasizing this thought, Elder R. A. Underwood wrote: "Who would not desire to bow before the Master, and bathe those feet that were nailed to the rugged cross? From His lips fall these gracious words: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' "—Ibid., July 14, 1885. Participation with a king is always an exaltation; how much more, participation with the King of kings! In the person of one of His children, He washes our feet. What a privilege is ours! Jesus Himself said: "If you know these things [appreciate their spiritual significance], blessed are you if you do them" (John 13: 17, R.S.V.).
3. Participation in this ordinance is an act of faith, an appropriation of a means of grace Christ has provided for our salvation. It is acceptance of Christ's cleansing. When the Lord had washed the disciples' feet, He could say of all but Judas, "Ye are clean" (John 13:10). They had submitted their hearts to Him, and allowed Him to wash away all alienation. We are reminded that "reconciliation one with another is the work for which the ordinance of feet washing was instituted. . . . Whenever it is celebrated, Christ is present by His Holy Spirit. It is this Spirit that brings conviction to hearts."—Evangelism, p. 275. No one, however, should leave the work of reconciliation for the quarterly service. Did not our Lord state definitely that our worship is not acceptable until we have done our part in reconciling differences? (Matt. 5:23, 24). The act of foot washing itself, most assuredly, does not cleanse the heart of sin. It did not cleanse Judas. Rather, it affords an opportunity for cleansing, and a test of our hearts. Note this enlightening comment: "Christ gave His disciples to understand that the washing of their feet did not cleanse away their sin, but that the cleansing of their heart was tested in this humble service."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, on John 13:10,11.
4. This ordinance is thus the preparatory service. We are instructed that God's people should come with joyful assurance to the Lord's table, not with depressed feelings. "They are not to recall the differences between them and their brethren. The preparatory service has embraced all this. The self-examination, the confession of sin, the reconciling of differences, has all been done. Now they come to meet with Christ. They are not to stand in the shadow of the cross, but in its saving light."—The Desire of Ages, p. 659. The preparatory service affords opportunity for serious reflection lest one eat and drink of the Lord's Supper unworthily. In response to one's faith it brings assurance of cleansing.
5. This ordinance is also a pledge of loving service. Just as the disciples placed their feet in the Lord's hands, allowing Him to have His way with them, so the true disciple today likewise places his feet in his Saviour's hands, ready to do His bidding. The ordinance must never be thought of as a mere ceremonial, a rite where the feet are just sprinkled, or barely touched. As both feet come in contact with the world, the symbolism requires that both feet should be placed in the hands of the participant, and be washed. Service is the outstanding lesson. The messenger of the Lord says: "Its constant lesson will be, 'By love serve one another.' Gal. 5:13. In washing the feet of His disciples, Christ gave evidence that He would do any service, however humble, that would make them heirs with Him of the eternal wealth of heaven's treasure. His disciples, in performing the same rite, pledge themselves in like manner to serve their brethren. Whenever this ordinance is rightly celebrated, the children of God are brought into a holy relationship, to help and bless each other. They covenant that the life shall be given to unselfish ministry."—Ibid., p. 651.
As we, while participating in this great Christian ordinance of service, are led to contemplate Jesus' life of humble, loving service, love fills our hearts, and strengthened with might by His Spirit we are enabled to go forth, keeping the Lord's new commandment, to love one another as He has loved us. This is Christianity indeed. The memorial of Christ's life has accomplished its purpose again.