Thursday, September 3, 2009

Disciples' Feet Washing

Let’s first define the word “disciple”:


“A follower, believer, learner, supporter and student of a leader, a philosophy or a religion.”

When I was young, I remember participating in “feet washing” at church. This event was so exciting to me and I could hardly wait to participate in it again. But as I grew older, I noticed the practice gradually ceased. The enemy (Satan and his cohorts) aimed to get the children of God to disobey their Father’s command. Jesus Christ knew that His time on this earth was coming to an end. He knew that His disciples loved him. He also wanted His disciples to love one another. For 3½ years, Jesus noticed how His disciples complained and competed against each other. In other words, they did not show love toward each other (Mark 10:35-45, Luke 22:24).

Before His departure from this earth, Jesus wanted to set an example for His disciples to follow in loving Him and others (John 13:3-17). When we choose to participate in the “Lord’s Communion”, we are showing love toward God; but when we choose to participate in “feet washing”, we are showing love toward each other. Why is it that those who are called by the name of the Lord choose to participate in one but refuse to participate in the other? Jesus’ greatest desire is to see His disciples loving each other. And when we choose to participate in the Lord’s command in washing each other’s feet, we are choosing to show humility in loving each other. Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12-13).”

We, who are disciples (followers and learners) of Jesus Christ, let us obey our Lord, Master and Teacher’s commands. Let us choose to participate in the Lord’s Communion and the washing of one another’s feet.

Selah (meditate on this)!

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