WASHING FEET

Washing Feet

A woman which was in the city, a sinner, crossed the threshold of the house of Simon, knelt behind the couch on which Jesus reclined at the board, and began to wash His feet with her tears as she wept, and wipe them with her hair. Simon was amazed when he saw this sinning woman fondling Jesus, thought that He would be polluted by this act.

Jesus says to him, "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee;" and to the reply, "Master, say on!"

Jesus then says, putting the woman into comparison with Simon, "Simon, your mistake is that you are looking at the woman as she was. Look at her now. You have criticized her as being a sinning woman. I tell you, Simon, that, by the side of her, you are as course-sack-cloth in comparison with finest silk. In the matter of common courtesy that woman has made up for your discourteous lack by her sweetness and love. And, Simon, now I tell you the secret. Her sins which are many are forgiven;"-for Christ did not mean to say she was forgiven because she loved; but that she loved because she was forgiven. He had known her before. He had wrought already in her soul the moral healing that had remade her and fueled her actions.

To save, according to the conception of Christ, is to take hold of all the destructive forces, and to destroy them, and to realize the highest beauty and glory of life.

Here it was in this verse to wash the Saviors feet and for us in John 13 to wash His chosen ones feet. A third of the communion service which is concerned and symbolizing the washing of the saint, which is a third of the complete ministry of Christ pictured in that ordinance by that symbol. The bread and cup are a symbol as well as the supper that He served. Leaders don’t like to do such menial tasks but Jesus did the role of the Servant of His Father to teach His disciples the complete extent of His coming to earth. A past work, a present work as well as a future work all caught in symbols of that last supper night. The Brethren have caught His teaching.