I Corinthians 1:23-31
"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:23-31)
The unsaved world rejects Christ as savior because, for those like the Jews, he does not perform according to their expectations, giving some spectacular sign of his authority. For the Greeks, he does not offer some logical way they can earn salvation.
As a result, most of the well known religious leaders, most political figures, and most highly educated people never fully accept Christianity, although many give mental assent to some of the basic tenents. They are like the politician who said, "I am a Christian, but I don't allow it to affect my decisions." In effect, he thinks it is good, but either impractical or unimportant. Most of the highly educated deny any validity to the gospel, including those who have theological degrees, especially among those who work in academic circles, rather than in the field.
It is interesting that God regularly uses simple things to stump those who think they are so brilliant. The common cold has stumped researchers for centuries, although they think they may have a clue now. The League of Nations, the United Nations, and World War II were to prevent war from ever happening again. The FDIC, the SEC, and the Federal Reserve were to prevent another recession or depression. Obviously, they have not been very successful, although the causes of the problems seem rather obvious.
God has deliberately done this, so that we would not brag about great people or what they have done, but about God. Paul was rebuking the Corinthian church for glorifying their leaders, yet we see the Christian Hall of Fame and various missionaries or leaders placed on a pedestal. Unfortunately, in my experience, as well as my reading of history, it would appear that usually the ones most exalted are the least deserving. Reading David Livingstone's scientific writings after his return from Africa changes ones perspective of him as a missionary. Reading David Brainerd's journal and comparing it to the Bible leads one to believe that most of his difficulties were the result of his refusal to obey God rather than satanic resistance.
We need to glory in Christ, who has done everything for us, not in men who, as Paul says, we are unable to judge properly, as we have insufficient evidence to make valid judgements. We do not even know what God wanted him to do, so how can we judge how well he did it? In Romans 14:4, Paul asks, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." God is the judge, whether one has done well or poorly.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
By the Foolishness of Preaching
I Corinthians 1:17-25
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:17-25)
When Paul says that Christ has sent him to preach the gospel, he uses the word usually translated to evangelise. The actual meaning is to announce the gospel. You cannot announce something that is already known. It is the same word used in Acts 8:35, when Philip preached to the Ethiopian eunuch.
In verse 18, Paul says that the preaching of the cross is foolishnes to those who perish. The word used here is logos, or word, referring to what is preached. To the unbelieving, the idea that one's sin can be forgiven, and a new life recieved simply by trusting Christ seems foolish. I wonder how many have said "it can't be that simple." As a result, those who want intellectual assurance usually reject the message. Those who believe have seen that it is the power of God, not their own effort, that saved them. When someone does something for you, your part is very simple. You just allow them to do it. That in no way implies it was simple for them, only for you.
The Jews, and many today are looking for som miraculous sign to prove the message, while the Greeks look for natural physical action they can take to produce the result, whether by giving money or physical service. The Jews got hung up on the lack of a sign, while the Greeks reject it as not logical, but God has chosen to use preaching to save those who believe.
The words translated preaching in verses 21 and 23 are forms of a word meaning herald, or proclaim. Unfortunately some have taken that to mean to shout loudly, never realizing that there were specific guidelines for heralds. A herald was an official messenger. He might deliver a public announcement, or a secret message. His life was to be forfeit if he garbled the message. Changing so much as a single word, if it caused confusion, was punishable by death. Preaching thus is not a style of speaking, but an emphasis on accurately conveying the Word of God.
Introducing our own logic makes the word of God of none effect.
"For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1:17-25)
When Paul says that Christ has sent him to preach the gospel, he uses the word usually translated to evangelise. The actual meaning is to announce the gospel. You cannot announce something that is already known. It is the same word used in Acts 8:35, when Philip preached to the Ethiopian eunuch.
In verse 18, Paul says that the preaching of the cross is foolishnes to those who perish. The word used here is logos, or word, referring to what is preached. To the unbelieving, the idea that one's sin can be forgiven, and a new life recieved simply by trusting Christ seems foolish. I wonder how many have said "it can't be that simple." As a result, those who want intellectual assurance usually reject the message. Those who believe have seen that it is the power of God, not their own effort, that saved them. When someone does something for you, your part is very simple. You just allow them to do it. That in no way implies it was simple for them, only for you.
The Jews, and many today are looking for som miraculous sign to prove the message, while the Greeks look for natural physical action they can take to produce the result, whether by giving money or physical service. The Jews got hung up on the lack of a sign, while the Greeks reject it as not logical, but God has chosen to use preaching to save those who believe.
The words translated preaching in verses 21 and 23 are forms of a word meaning herald, or proclaim. Unfortunately some have taken that to mean to shout loudly, never realizing that there were specific guidelines for heralds. A herald was an official messenger. He might deliver a public announcement, or a secret message. His life was to be forfeit if he garbled the message. Changing so much as a single word, if it caused confusion, was punishable by death. Preaching thus is not a style of speaking, but an emphasis on accurately conveying the Word of God.
Introducing our own logic makes the word of God of none effect.
Monday, February 16, 2009
That There Be No Divisions Among You.
I Corinthians 1:10-17
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (I Corinthians 1:10-17)
Paul was concerned about division within the church at Corinth because he had heard that tere were divisions among them. They were argueing over which pastor had taught them and whether they were better qualified for having been taught by one than the other.
Unfortunately, these same types of disagreements arise today on regular basis. People decide that a person who has not been through a particular course of study, or who does naot do things a certain way are not as well qualified as those who do it that way or who have been through a certain program. In the church I pastor, a former pastor took the position that a person who had not gone through the discipleship program was not qualified to teach in the church. He proceeded to remove everyone of those who had been teaching, some for several years, and install those who took his program. Several were graduates of bible colleges, and nearly all were more grounded in scripture than he was. It didn't take long for the church to beegin to shrink.
Others have been very critical of those who did not use Jack Hyles or John R. Rice's methods. Paul refers to himself, Apollos, and Cephas, or Peter, as opposed to Christ, as the ones the people were emphasizing. Neither Paul, Apollos, nor Peter had died for the peoples sins. They were not to be baptized in the name of either one.
Paul rejoiced that they could not credit many to him for fear that they would set him up as something important, or begin to say Paul had saved or baptized them. As he stresses, God sent him to Preach the word. Even that could be made of no value by emphasis on his eloquence, or his intellectual and psychological preparation.
If they would examine what all four had taught, they would find that each had taught the same thing, and that there was no contradiction or conflict. The emphasis needed to be on Christ, and even that not as a way of setting one above another. In Christ, there should be unity of mind and judgement.
Notice Paul is begging them not to let such things produce separation.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (I Corinthians 1:10-17)
Paul was concerned about division within the church at Corinth because he had heard that tere were divisions among them. They were argueing over which pastor had taught them and whether they were better qualified for having been taught by one than the other.
Unfortunately, these same types of disagreements arise today on regular basis. People decide that a person who has not been through a particular course of study, or who does naot do things a certain way are not as well qualified as those who do it that way or who have been through a certain program. In the church I pastor, a former pastor took the position that a person who had not gone through the discipleship program was not qualified to teach in the church. He proceeded to remove everyone of those who had been teaching, some for several years, and install those who took his program. Several were graduates of bible colleges, and nearly all were more grounded in scripture than he was. It didn't take long for the church to beegin to shrink.
Others have been very critical of those who did not use Jack Hyles or John R. Rice's methods. Paul refers to himself, Apollos, and Cephas, or Peter, as opposed to Christ, as the ones the people were emphasizing. Neither Paul, Apollos, nor Peter had died for the peoples sins. They were not to be baptized in the name of either one.
Paul rejoiced that they could not credit many to him for fear that they would set him up as something important, or begin to say Paul had saved or baptized them. As he stresses, God sent him to Preach the word. Even that could be made of no value by emphasis on his eloquence, or his intellectual and psychological preparation.
If they would examine what all four had taught, they would find that each had taught the same thing, and that there was no contradiction or conflict. The emphasis needed to be on Christ, and even that not as a way of setting one above another. In Christ, there should be unity of mind and judgement.
Notice Paul is begging them not to let such things produce separation.
Friday, February 13, 2009
And They Shall Be One Flesh
"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." (Genesis 2:18-25)
This story is the basis for all scriptural teaching about marriage. In it we find that the woman was created specifically to meet the needs of the man. She was to be an help meet for him. The Hebrew word translated help meet means an aide or assistant. She is not an inferior.
The choice of terminology here is very much like a team of surgeons. One is the team leader, skilled in certain aspects of the surgery, while the assisting surgeon, who may be just as skilled, or even more so, focuses on other aspects of the surgery. Respect for one anothers skills enables them to work together and be far more effective than either would be separately. The leader is dependent on the assisting surgeon to help spot problems, take care of his or her specialty, and should the need arise, take over his position and complete the surgery. The assistant, is freed to focus on developing problems, and performing his or her specialty, always prepared to take over if needed, yet not interfering inappropriately with the lead surgeon's decisions or work. Both must have the patients best interest in mind rather than their own pride. The best surgeons are those most effectively utilize each others skills.
This was God's plan for marriage, and he created woman for the express purpose of accomplishing that plan. She was made from man's rib, making her man's equal in every way. Women are at least as intelligent as men, although their focus tends to be on different subjects.
This makes them especially valuable, as they specialize in areas men tend to neglect. Working together, they complement each other, producing much better results than they could accomplish working separately.
Adam says that a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and they shall be one flesh. The word translated cleave means to cling or adhere to, to be joined together. Eve was literally part of Adams flesh. The husband and wife relationship is to be just as strong as their connection, and modern day divorce actions show that loosing a spouse is just as devastating as loosing a physical limb.
I Corinthians 6:16 makes it clear that the sex act produces this joining. "What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh." Traditionally a marriage was not considered consumated until the sexual act was completed. Sex was frequently referred to as the marriage act. This is true even if the sexual act was with a prostitute. Unfortunately, for those who have been promiscous, the joining effect is contaminated and weakened by the joining to the others.
Jesus quotes Genesis, stating that the joining is Gods work in Mark 10:6-9. "But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." This is also recorded in Matthew 19:4-6. The marriage is not an act of man, but of God.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Double Standard
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:3-11)
Notice the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who brought the woman to Jesus? If they were concerned about the law, what Jesus said was irrelevant. The law was to be enforced. If we lok at the law, however, we find that they were only rying to enforce a part of it. Leviticus 20:10 is very clear. "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. "
Clearly, if they caught the woman in the very act, they also caught the man. The law demanded that both be killed. They were using a double standard. The woman was at fault in their minds, but the man was not. So often in todays world, we see the same type of double standard among so called Christians. The pastor of one of the larger local churches, in speaking about sex outside marriage, told the girls that they must keep themselves pure, but "after all, we can't expect those old rough boys to."
When Jesus said to let the man without sin cast the first stone, everyone of them knew they were guilty in this as well as other areas. We are to obey God, without playing favorites. "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality" (I Timothy 5:21).
Galatians 3: 28 states "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." This is reinforced by Colossians 3:11, "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." There is no basis for preferential treatment, whether sexual, social, financial, or racial, and it is forbidden.
So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." (John 8:3-11)
Notice the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who brought the woman to Jesus? If they were concerned about the law, what Jesus said was irrelevant. The law was to be enforced. If we lok at the law, however, we find that they were only rying to enforce a part of it. Leviticus 20:10 is very clear. "And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. "
Clearly, if they caught the woman in the very act, they also caught the man. The law demanded that both be killed. They were using a double standard. The woman was at fault in their minds, but the man was not. So often in todays world, we see the same type of double standard among so called Christians. The pastor of one of the larger local churches, in speaking about sex outside marriage, told the girls that they must keep themselves pure, but "after all, we can't expect those old rough boys to."
When Jesus said to let the man without sin cast the first stone, everyone of them knew they were guilty in this as well as other areas. We are to obey God, without playing favorites. "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality" (I Timothy 5:21).
Galatians 3: 28 states "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." This is reinforced by Colossians 3:11, "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." There is no basis for preferential treatment, whether sexual, social, financial, or racial, and it is forbidden.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A Conscience Seared With a Hot Iron
A young woman was found, naked and battered. She told police an almost unbelievable story of abduction, rape and torture by a man and woman, and how she had managed to escape. When police found the place she had described, they discovered the implements of torture and her blood, they also found evidence of several other women having been tortured. Several bodies were discovered and some missing person cases were resolved.
While this took place only about 100 miles from where I live, it is not an isolated incident. W read of them constantly, and Tv shows portray them as a steady diet. How could anyone be so depraved as to treat other human beings that way? How could a system such as the Nazi concentration camps develop? Reading of the acts depicted on pornographic movies is nauseating. What could lead to such monstrous behaviour?
Paul answers the question, and advises us how to avoid falling into the same kind of wickedness in Ephesians 4:17-24. "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
People who immerse themselves in wickedness begin to loose natural emotions. Titus 1:15 tells us, "unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." If continued longer, even those who profess to know God can become that evil as we are told in I Timothy 4:1-2. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"
Psychologists tell us that men who regularly read and watch pornography become unable to enjoy the natural sex act, and turn to ever escalating homosexuality, bestiallity, sadism, and masochism in an effort to feel something. I used to wonder how the man accused of the Black Magnolia murder in Los Angeles could assist in gang raping his own daughter, but he had become so desensitized that it no longer affected him. He was fully given over to lasciviousness, so that his own children believe him guilty, even though he was never brought to trial.
Human efforts to stop such behaviour have resulted in huge jail populations, registering sex offenders, and clogged courts and treatment facilities, with ever increasing problems.
Paul warns us that we need, as Christians, to replace that old nature with the new man who is made after the nature of God. The atrocities commited by so called "Christians" are the result of not allowing God to replace the old man with a new one. You cannot serve God living in such a manner. We are, as natural humans no different than anyone else. It is only that new man controling us that makes us truly different. Who controls you?
While this took place only about 100 miles from where I live, it is not an isolated incident. W read of them constantly, and Tv shows portray them as a steady diet. How could anyone be so depraved as to treat other human beings that way? How could a system such as the Nazi concentration camps develop? Reading of the acts depicted on pornographic movies is nauseating. What could lead to such monstrous behaviour?
Paul answers the question, and advises us how to avoid falling into the same kind of wickedness in Ephesians 4:17-24. "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
People who immerse themselves in wickedness begin to loose natural emotions. Titus 1:15 tells us, "unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." If continued longer, even those who profess to know God can become that evil as we are told in I Timothy 4:1-2. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"
Psychologists tell us that men who regularly read and watch pornography become unable to enjoy the natural sex act, and turn to ever escalating homosexuality, bestiallity, sadism, and masochism in an effort to feel something. I used to wonder how the man accused of the Black Magnolia murder in Los Angeles could assist in gang raping his own daughter, but he had become so desensitized that it no longer affected him. He was fully given over to lasciviousness, so that his own children believe him guilty, even though he was never brought to trial.
Human efforts to stop such behaviour have resulted in huge jail populations, registering sex offenders, and clogged courts and treatment facilities, with ever increasing problems.
Paul warns us that we need, as Christians, to replace that old nature with the new man who is made after the nature of God. The atrocities commited by so called "Christians" are the result of not allowing God to replace the old man with a new one. You cannot serve God living in such a manner. We are, as natural humans no different than anyone else. It is only that new man controling us that makes us truly different. Who controls you?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What is footwashing about?
I just saw a photo that was taken of the only foot washing ceremony I have ever attended, although I know that several churches practice them regularly. What is it all about? To understand, we need to look at the subject first from a historical perspective.
In Jesus day, most people wore sandals. They did not have cars and so rarely rode anywhere. Their feet got dirty as a result. It was common courtesy to wash your guests feet, indicating an interest in their wellbeing, and that they were welcome to stay. Failure to do so indicated the opposite.
Luke 7: 36-47 tells of one instance, in which the person who invited him home was disrespectful and did not exercise this common courtesy, but judged one who did. "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
The woman who was so looked down upon, demonstrated more respec for Christ than the person who invited him to lunch. She went beyond the standard, even though it was not her responsibility. Normally a minor servant would have been assigned to do the job. The Pharisee didn't wash Jesus' feet himself, nor did he have one of his servants do so. It implies he had little regard for Jesus, but wanted people to notice that he had Jesus to lunch.
John 13:1-17 gives the Christ's teaching on foot washing. "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
The teaching here is not of a ceremonial action, put of a respect and concern for others that is willing to humble itself for their benefit. Jesus says his action is an example thet we are not to be unwilling to serve just as he did. We ought to be willing to do the most humiliating of jobs if that is what is needed. We hear a great deal about having a servant's heart today, but see few examples. Jesus did not ritually wash their feet as an indication of his spirituality, but as an indication of his concern for their comfort even though it meant he had to give up some of his.
We are instructed to have that same attitude. Most ritual footwashing ceremonies are about a show of religious behaviour, and make a mockery of what Christ was teaching. That is what the one I attended appeared to be as well.
In Jesus day, most people wore sandals. They did not have cars and so rarely rode anywhere. Their feet got dirty as a result. It was common courtesy to wash your guests feet, indicating an interest in their wellbeing, and that they were welcome to stay. Failure to do so indicated the opposite.
Luke 7: 36-47 tells of one instance, in which the person who invited him home was disrespectful and did not exercise this common courtesy, but judged one who did. "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
The woman who was so looked down upon, demonstrated more respec for Christ than the person who invited him to lunch. She went beyond the standard, even though it was not her responsibility. Normally a minor servant would have been assigned to do the job. The Pharisee didn't wash Jesus' feet himself, nor did he have one of his servants do so. It implies he had little regard for Jesus, but wanted people to notice that he had Jesus to lunch.
John 13:1-17 gives the Christ's teaching on foot washing. "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
The teaching here is not of a ceremonial action, put of a respect and concern for others that is willing to humble itself for their benefit. Jesus says his action is an example thet we are not to be unwilling to serve just as he did. We ought to be willing to do the most humiliating of jobs if that is what is needed. We hear a great deal about having a servant's heart today, but see few examples. Jesus did not ritually wash their feet as an indication of his spirituality, but as an indication of his concern for their comfort even though it meant he had to give up some of his.
We are instructed to have that same attitude. Most ritual footwashing ceremonies are about a show of religious behaviour, and make a mockery of what Christ was teaching. That is what the one I attended appeared to be as well.
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