QUESTION:
In John 13:3-15 we read that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Is this an act of worship like praying, singing, the Lord’s Supper or some other act of worship? If it is, shouldn’t we be doing this?

ANSWER: There are denominations that practice this as an act of worship.  But before we jump to conclusions, let’s study this subject to see the lesson Jesus was teaching His disciples.  

We read in Genesis 18 of three angels visiting Abraham. In verse 3-8 of Genesis 18 we read he offered to wash their feet with water and they accepted. Later he fed them a meal of bread, butter, milk and fresh meat. This was an act customarily performed by a servant to a guest of higher rank as an act of hospitality. 

In 1Timothy 5:10 one of the deeds a widow must have done to be “taken into the number” (placed on the payroll), was to have “washed the feet of the saints”.  

Jesus was teaching a lesson on beatitudes in Matt. 5:5 He says, “the meek (humble) shall inherit the earth”. In 2 Pet. 3:13 Peter speaks of “a new heaven and a new earth” or heaven. Heaven will be the home of the meek and humble not the arrogant, proud and haughty.  

In Matt. 18 the disciples asked about greatness in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus replied they must become like a “little child” Matt. 18:3. Jesus uses this occasion to teach His apostles the lesson of humility. This lesson was necessary in their training before they go out into the world to preach the gospel Mark 16:15.   

Further, it is a lesson we must learn if we hope to enter into heaven. So to answer the question, the lesson isn’t one we should practice as an act of worship but a lesson of humility before God and our fellow man.

Bill Watkins