Joh 13:12-17 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
When we read John 13 we Christ washing his disciple feet with water, and many people interpret this as it was done to teach us humility and some even say it was a ritual
The Symbolism of Water
When you reading the verses we see Christ washing the disciples feet with water, people seems to forget what the water represent sometimes in the bible.
Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
In the bible it is the word that cleanse us, literal water does nothing for you, Jer 2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
You see it doesn’t matter how much you wash yourself with water because it doesn’t change anything about you spiritually. True changes take place when you start living your life according to the word in the Bible. Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
The path of the feet
The Bible often uses ‘feet‘ as a metaphor for our spiritual journey and life choices.
Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Isa 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Is this praising the literal feet of a man? No but the path he chooses to walk in, Symbolizing our movement towards salvation.
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
The peace of God is referring to salvation, Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Pro 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Pro 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
The feet are what we use to live our lifestyle.
A call to action
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Jesus instructs us to wash one another’s feet, just as he has washed ours. This isn’t a call for a literal foot washing ceremony, but a symbolic message for us to help guide each other on the path of righteousness, just as Christ guided his disciples.
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Be like-minded with Christ and be more concerned about others than you are for your own.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Philippians 2:3 urges us to prioritize the well-being of others over our own, to be humble and kind-hearted, just as Christ was with his disciples. The story of Christ washing his disciples’ feet isn’t simply about humility; it’s a call to guide each other on our spiritual journeys, to ensure that we all walk on the path of righteousness.
Shalom!
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