THE PREPARATION FOR THE ORDINANCE OF FEETWASHING

The Preparation for the Ordinance of Feetwashing

John 13:1-3

Introduction:

The preparation for this service could not be more marked than it is in the 13th chapter of John. Every important detail that would and could give meaning to this service is included by John in his Gospel. While this has special reference to the Supper and the feetwashing service, it is also true of the Eucharist which is not mentioned by John.

The Supernatural Plan Governing Christ is About to be Consummated

It is especially significant that this is said to have relation­ship to the Passover Feast. After all Christ is the great Passover lamb, and at the appointed hour he will die and thus fulfill the age-long type.

ld. The Passover Feast portrays His death, so before His death and the feast His ordinance is portrayed.

le. John declares definitely that this supper and the feetwashing took place before the feast.
Cf. John 13:1

2e. Further testimony within this chapter and while partici­pating in the same event clearly indicates that this is before the regular Passover meal.
John 13:27-29

3e. Early the next morning the Passover feast was yet future as John clearly states.
John 18:28; 19:14

4e. Every one of the Gospel writers declare that the last supper and events even up to the burial of Christ was on the day of preparation.
Matt. 27:62
Mark. 15:42
Luke 23:54
John 19:31

5e. Christ himself declares that he would not eat the Passover Feast.
Luke 22:16 ARV  Cf. Ex.12:16; Lev. 23:7; Num. 28:16-18
Mark 16:1-2
Luke 23:53-56

2d. The hour marks the point of time when his death was to take place.
John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20; 12:23, 27; 17:1

This is also the hour when he should be glorified; when evidence would be given of his identity.
This is the hour before determined that he should die as the great Passover Lamb.
1 Peter 1:19-20
Rev. 13:8

This is the hour portrayed by 1500 years of sacrificing the Passover Lamb.
1 Cor. 5:7
John 1:29

This is fulfilled in the death of Christ, for He is our Passover Lamb. 1 Cor. 5:7

This is the event for which he came into the world and toward which he always looked.
Luke 9:51
John 12:27

3d. Departure out of this world must be through the avenue of death.
Luke 9:31

This demands that he use the remaining hours of his life to plan the new order which he is shortly to inaugurate.
Cf. Matt. 16:18-23

4d. Desire to provide for the ultimate needs of his own, demands that He go to the Cross.
He loved them unto the end, that is, to the very consummation of the plan arranged and sealed with the Father in eternity past.
Cf. Matt. 26:38-42
Luke 9:51
John 12:27
Rom. 8:3-4

All of these things provide a proper background for the ordinance of feetwashing, as well as the ordinances of Love feast and Eucharist.