Footwashing: do we obey Jesus and do it?

I agree that it isn't a command, but try it sometime!
There's hardly a person that's walked into my home and not gotten a foot washing/foot massage. It accomplishes a number of things. First off, there's human contact. Second, you're doing something that no person really doesn't enjoy. Third, it relaxes them. It's hard to not find conversation or to have bad conversation if you're sitting on the floor at their feet doing this for them or after you've already had that contact.
I love doing this for people, and I've not met anyone yet who didn't thoroughly enjoy having it done for them.
Gina

 

To me touching is an intimate thing, and I don't want just anyone touching me intimately, so I wouldn't like the massage Gina. No one touches my feet but my husband.

 

It wouldn't be just anybody, but another sister in Christ. Sisters should probably be kissing each other too (holy kiss), but I guess that's a separate issue.

 

If I was without shoes and had been walking down the streets with cow pies on them and the stuff was squished between my toes like the context of the NT I would like it a lot to have my feet washed. Otherwise it would be unnecesary. I would rather spend my time serving someone who has little to give.

 

John

I am not trying to stir up a debate, but the whole passover meal -- last supper has a certain cultural significance that Gentiles didn't engage in. Footwashing is no more legalistic than participating in a communion service.

Dr. B. notes:

Those of us who take the "ought" in John 13 consider footwashing part of the Lord's Supper.

I have never seen any Baptist group that participates in footwashing ever criticize anyone for not taking part.

 

I am not living in New Testament times, walking in a dirty desert in sandals and footwashing serves no purpose in this century.

Do I humbly serve others? Certainly, but it is not symbolized in footwashing. Neither do I greet people with a kiss..I shake hands.

Cheers,

Jim

 

My aim is as Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 9:22,23, "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it."

 

Yes, touching is intimate, but there is nothing wrong with intimacy between friends. I think too many people in our world today aren't sure where the line between regular human intimacy and sexual intimacy is drawn, and this is where uncomfortableness can come in.
It is not unusual for me and my best friends to sit talking leaning on each other. A female neighbor of mine would come and lay across my lap and I'd twirl her hair while we talked.
I certainly don't feel that cleaning/massaging a guy's sweaty smelly feet is out of line. (and I don't have guys here without their wives)
I do understand not wanting other people to touch you Donna, trust me, I just happen to think feet are about as neutral as one can get.
Gina

 

If it isn't my husband then it is just anyone else.

 

Women languishing all over each other is a bit much for me.

 

LOL! Languishing all over each other? That phrase makes me think of people feeding each other sugar covered grapes off of silver platters or something!
So yeah, that might be a bit much!
Gina

 

Sister:

Jesus was in church. He was with some of the same disciples he was with when he instituted the local visible church along the shores of Cesaria Philippi back in Matthew 16 (or 18).

If your church decided to come together for a special occassion at your home, or at the community hall, you are in church, though your official meeting place may be miles away.