Foot Washing Message:
Foot Washing ~~ 6/16/02
I became very interested in finding out what the Word of God really has to say about foot washing; how it is to be done; what does it signify? etc.
I have found some very interesting facts. But I know at this time, that there is still some secret element of the deep significance of this matter missing. I hope God will reveal this to us.
I will now try to do a series of messages on this subject. It is too long for one message.
For this part I want to show you what and when the first foot washing was in the Word of God.
The first foot washing is shown in Genesis 18:4. Now before I go into this, I want to tell you, this thing of washing feet in the Word is speaking of something far more than a mere cleansing of the skin. God is not concerned with this except in what it shows spiritually.
In Gen. 18:1– the LORD appeared unto Abraham in the heat of the day. I wish to tell you who study the Word, that every single word has a spiritual, hidden significance. Without finding out what they mean, you will only be reading ‘words’; and miss the teaching of God.
So, His coming to Abraham in the ‘heat of the day’, has a hidden meaning. I have not been given the revelation of this at this time. But pray that God will show us these glorious secrets.
I love verse three: My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from they servant:
I must say with Abraham, Lord if I have found favour in the sight, please do not pass away from me.
See, these things show us little ways to pray and worship the Lord.
Now, verse four: this is the first occasion of foot washing in the Word ~~~~ Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
Then Abraham sets food before them and tells them to comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant.
What is he saying? That this is why they came to see Abraham?????? for the purpose of what????? washing their feet??? eating with him, thereby comforting their hearts?????? My, my. What some secrets lie uncovered here.
Lord, I pray you will open up these glorious mysteries to us.
Now, it is unclear to me if the LORD is to ‘wash’ his own feet here; or if someone else does this for him. And it is unclear to me what the true significance of it is. I do hope others will get into this study. I have found some very great and interesting things in this study which I did today on the feet washing. But, this part here, is not clear as to the deep meaning hidden here. But I think as we precede into this study, this maybe will open up.
But this I am sure of: this is NOT about cleaning dirty feet; not for one minute. Please do not make the carnal mistake of thinking this.
The priest and foot washing
I will show here another aspect of this ‘washing’. In Exodus 2 ~ we are told of how Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to wash herself. Her maidens walked along by the river’s side. Moses’ mother had hid her baby in a little basket in the river.
You might think this is ‘just a story’, but no. Everything —- every word in the Scripture is there for a reason; each word has spiritual significance.
So, we find that this Egyptian woman had to be ‘washed’ before she qualified to acquire God’s leader, Moses, as her son. This ‘bathing’ in the river types the N.T. Baptism = the washing all over.
So see that the ‘washing’ is very important to the things of God.
Her maid, representing the servants of the Lord, was sent to fetch Moses for her. We are to go out and ‘fetch’ babes into the Kingdom for Jesus.
She is said to have ‘drawn’ him out of the water. This shows that the law movement, of which Moses was the head; would not be the ‘water’ move of God. Water represents the Word; being clean; being sanctified; being washed. Later, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness, they crossed the Red Sea on DRY GROUND = no water.
In Exodus 30:17-21– the LORD told Moses to make a laver for the priests to wash in. He was to put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar and to put water in it ~~~ v19—For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
V20–When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that THEY DIE NOT, or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD;
V21–So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they DIE NOT; and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.
Now, the job of the priest was a new thing; it did not exist before that time. The LORD was the only minister to Abraham. None of the people up to that time were under the priests of the Lord.
The heathen people had priests, but not the people of the LORD. So, the addition of the ‘hand’ washing here shows that the ‘hands’ represent the work of the offerings of the LORD. The ‘feet’ represent the ministers; the ‘hands’ represent the work of the LORD.
So, in the priesthood, they had to wash both the hands and the feet. This is their ‘anointing’ for their work for God. See also, that this washing was so important to God, that he said if they failed to do this washing before they went in to minister, they would die.
In Exodus 40 Moses set up the tabernacle and all that went with their priest work to minister to the LORD. You should read this chapter. He brought the priest to the laver of water between the tent of the congregation and the altar. There he washed the priest and then put their holy garments on him, and anointed and sanctified him to minister to the LORD.
This washing was the act of anointing and sanctifying them. The holy garments being placed on them after the washing represents the Holy Ghost being given to us after our Baptism. It also represents our glorified body being given to us after we are anointed by the Holy Ghost and sanctified for Jesus.
Exodus 40: 30–And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water therein, to wash withal.
V31–And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat:
V32–When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Now this shows how very important this ceremonial washing was; they had to go through this washing each and every time they went in to minister the office of the priesthood. We have so much to be thankful for; Jesus cleanses us once and for all. Now, we have only to wash our feet, for he has cleansed us every wit.
Notice that in Genesis there was no mention of the ‘hand’ washing — only one foot washing. In Exodus, where the priesthood was brought in, there was added the ‘hand’ washing. Neither one has the ‘head’ washing.
Now I will show by the Word of God that foot washing has to do with becoming the bride.
1Samuel 25:40~~~~~~ [this is after the brutish man, Nabal who had been so ugly to David had died] ~~David had communed with Abigail (Nabal’s wife ) to take her to him to wife.
And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.
v41 ~~~~ And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a SERVANT to WASH THE FEET of the SERVANTS of my lord.
v42 ~~~~ And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and BECAME HIS WIFE.
Now there is some very great revelation here concerning the importance of FOOT WASHING.
The very first thing, and the only thing which is recorded that Abigail spoke or did after the servants of David came to get her to take her to David to become his wife ~~~~~ is to wash the feet of those servants!!!!!!!!
Amazing, isn’t it?
She wanted to be a SERVANT to WASH THE FEET OF THE SERVANTS OF HER lord, David; her to -be husband.
This is very beautiful. Jesus said, if I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash each other’s feet. Why?
When you have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it UNTO ME.
So, the least of the brethren [servants] of Jesus is Him. So when we wash their feet, we are washing the feet of his servants, in order to become his Wife.
He also said, if I wash you not, you have no part with me. So, since Jesus is not here to wash our feet, so we can have a part with him ~~ he left that for us to do as HIM. The least of his brethren ~~ is HIM.
So, if the least of his brethren washes another’s feet, It is Jesus washing his feet; so he can have a part with him.
The person doing the washing is being a servant to wash the feet of the servants of her LORD; her to-be husband.
If this doesn’t make you want to get up and go about washing the saints feet, I don’t know what it would take!
Lord let me wash the feet of your servants.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be ESTABLISHED.
I will do another message with another witness that the foot washing has to do with becoming HIS WIFE.
Do you want to be his WIFE?
This message is becoming more and more intriguing and spiritually interesting as we go along. I am so thankful that God moved on me to do this study.
In the above message, remember that it said as Abigail went to become David’s wife, that five of her maids went with her? Well God showed me this about that:~~~~
Who do the five maids represent? The five wise virgins, of course!!
Look at this~~~ The Song of Solomon 6: 8 ~~~~ There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and VIRGINS without number.
v9~~~~ My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
So, what is this showing? That only ONE makes it to become the bride of Jesus. Now I do not mean only one person ~ no. But it is showing that only ONE particular group of those following Jesus, will actually become that Bride.
How and why did they become that ONE? By being obedient to all of the Word of God. Others may qualify to be one of those other virgins; but not that BRIDE. Now, I know this is not taught commonly by the church world; but then when did they get any of it right?
It is taught in the Word. Remember that great host of people in Rev. 7? They were not the Bride. It shows that 144,000 being the Bride. The others are those other virgins without number.
If you desire to become that Bride, get down off your pride, lower yourself, as Abigail, get down and wash those saints feet. That is the only way a ‘widow’ can be taken into the number.
Isn’t this a great message?
This will be another showing that the washing of the feet is connected with the BRIDE coming to the BRIDEGROOM.
This is the second witness of the fact of the foot washing being connected with the matter of becoming the BRIDE. So it is established as truth in the mouth of two witnesses.
Genesis 24. You know the story: Sarah had died at age 127. Abraham called his servant and told him to go back to his homeland and take a BRIDE for his son, Issac.
The servant took ten camels and lots of expensive presents to go after this wife for Issac. These ten camels represent those ten virgins in the N.T. They go after the bride. I know lots of people probably think those virgins were the bride; but no. Just look at it; the parable says that those wise virgins were only GUESTS at the wedding; it does not say they were the BRIDE.
Now there is a lot of wonderful revelation in this story; but I will wait and get to some of that later. For now I will just concentrate on this matter of the foot washing.
You know how this servant had prayed for a sign on how he would know which woman the LORD had chosen to be the wife of Issac. She was to draw water for both him and his camels.
This Rebekah did. Then she invited them to come to her house. She stated that they had room enough and food for the camels.
Now, Gen. 24: 31~~~~~ And he (Laban) said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32 ~~ And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to WASH HIS FEET, and men’s feet that were with him.
Now I know some will question this and say it has not one thing to do with this matter of ‘foot washing’ or becoming BRIDE: but I say unto you that the Word teaches that ALL THAT IS WRITTEN, IS FOR OUR LEARNING AND ADMONITION AND IS TO BE USED TO TEACH DOCTRINE.
Remember, all Scripture is PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE.
It must be rightly divided and interpreted. God has interpreted this unto me. It fits all these Scriptures on the true meaning of ‘foot washing’.
This is symbolical of sanctifying the ministers for getting the BRIDE for JESUS. This washing of the feet of these servants, who had one purpose of being there: which was to acquire a wife for the Son, Issac shows the same thing that Abigail did as she washed the feet of the servants of David; who came to get this wife for David.
The sent, sanctified ministers are on a journey to fetch a BRIDE for Jesus. We must wash their feet for this job. This is the Word of God and it is beautiful to behold
Let’s see some more Scriptures dealing with this matter of the ‘washing’.
Psm. 51:2“` Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psm. 73:13““ Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
This shows that the ‘hand’ washing had to do with making one innocent. This chapter, 73– is staggering in that it shows something of Jesus which is not commonly known. Most people say this was David who was envious at the prospering of the wicked. He saw they were at ease and yet had more than heart could wish. Therefore , he said in discouragement, I have washed my hands in innocency in vain. In other words, he felt at some point in time, as though his living a pure life was in vain; for the wicked had so much while he was so poor.
This has nothing to do with this matter of the washing, but since I am here, and this is such a staggering fact about Jesus which has been totally overlooked, I will show this: verse 21– here God spoke to Jesus and comforted him by saying, “as a dream when one awaketh; so O Lord, when thou awakest, = (the resurrection)– thou shalt despise their image.
This is saying that when Jesus awoke in the glorified image of God, he despised this human, sinful image. Even though one is rich here, he is still in this despicable image.
Now, for the real shocking part: verse 22 ~~ So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a ‘beast’ before thee.
Now this is Jesus speaking to God; he said he was as a ‘beast’ before God [if you will read the rest of this, it will clearly show that it is speaking of Jesus]— this shows that the human being is a ‘beast’.
Now, I will show another type of ‘washing’. Psalms 58:10~~ The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall WASH HIS FEET in the BLOOD of the wicked.
Now, this is speaking of the judgment ministry which will be the saints pouring out the wrath of the Lamb upon the wicked. It says the righteous shall rejoice at this. Why would we rejoice? Because it will be the cleansing of the whole earth. This vengeance is called a ‘cleansing’ which is called WASHING FEET IN BLOOD.
So, I would advise all to not wait for this time of washing feet in the blood of the wicked; but to take a part in the foot washing in water now to be a part of Christ and his bride.
John:
013:001
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.
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And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
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Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
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He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
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After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
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Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
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Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
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Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
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Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
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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.
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For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
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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?
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Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
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If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
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For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
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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.
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If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Hello Errol,
I am thankful you posted your message; for this gives me the opportunity to show by the Word; the above Scripture,— the real truth of ‘washing feet’.
Please, all of you who read this, go back up and review each of the words I have high lighted by color, and you will find the real truth. This matter of washing saints feet HAD NOT ONE THING TO DO WITH CLEANING THEM NATURALLY BECAUSE THEY HAD GOTTEN ‘DIRTY’ IN WALKING AROUND IN SANDLES.
Let this forever settle this question and this LIE against truth.
We must learn to find the truth of the Word about a subject; not to go by what is commonly taught by people.
Now, look at verse 2: “supper being ENDED”~~~~~
See, this proves this ‘foot washing’ was not done as they first ENTERED that home? It had not one thing to do with what is traditionaly taught –that they washed feet upon entering a home? See!!! They had FINISHED their Supper BEFORE Jesus washed their feet.
Besides that, Jesus was a GUEST in that home; so it would NOT have been His place or duty to wash dirty feet. This is a total LIE~~~~~~ a total MISCONCEPT~~~ as is most of the other ‘stuff’ taught by the modern- day Babylon Church.
Now, verse 4~~~ He riseth from supper, ~~~~~~ another witness that supper was already over with, before Jesus rose and washed their feet.
Now, for solid proof that is was deffinitly NOT the traditional cleansing of feet upon entering a home (if indeed they did have such a custom…… could just be a made up lie to cover up this humbling cermony which Jesus said for us ever after to perform on other Christians)……
verse 7 ~~~~~~~ Jesus said “What I do thou knowest NOT NOW; but thou shalt know here-after.
Now, don’t you see, that if this were a traditional foot washing, those disciples certainly would have KNOWN RIGHT THEN AND THERE WHAT HE WAS DOING?? But Jesus himself said they did NOT know then what he was doing. He said they would NOT know until later.
verse 8— Peter told Jesus You will never wash my feet.
If this were a washing feet for the purpose of getting street dirt off, Peter would not have made this statement.
Look at Jesus’s answer~~~~ If I wash thee not, thou HAST NO PART WITH ME.
Now, this is staggering: for this PROVES that this ‘foot washing’ had something to do with placeing them with him ~~ for he said, Without this, you have no part with me.
Deny this and you call Jesus a LIE. Do you dare? To hold to your TRADITION?
Now, Look at the CHANGE in Peter’s attitude ~~~~~ just as soon as he heard that this foot washing has something to do with giving one a PART with Jesus ~~~~……..
verse 9~~~~~~ Peter said to him, Lord, not me feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Know what Peter was asking?? ?????
Look at verse 10~~~~ Jesus saith to him, He that is WASHED ( did he mean one who had taken a bath??????)~~[course not!!!!!]——– needeth not SAVE TO WASH HIS FEET, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, BUT NOT ALL. v11–For he knew sho should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
Now, was he saying that because Judas would betray him, Judas was dirty and had not taken a bath?????? COURSE NOT!!!!!!!
Now, it is obvious that Peter caught on to what Jesus was saying~~~~~ for he said then don’t just wash my feet (= our daily walk )– [don’t just give me a sanctified walk]—- but sanctify my hands [ for the service of the Lord = laying on hands for healing, receiving the Holy Ghost, etc] ——-and my HEAD = the Knowledge of God and the leadership of the saints.
Now, do you see what Peter was asking????????
He wanted Jesus right then and there, to give him the fullness of the outpouring of the Spirit = to sanctify his whole self, for God’s Word and Holy Living.
But Jesus showed that at this time, only the ‘feet’ were being sanctified. He said to them you know NOT now what I am doing to you —– but you will know later.
Why? Because right then Jesus was sanctifying their ‘feet’ for his service = their walk with Jesus at that time – to follow him into death—- But on the day of Pentecost, they were Baptized in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ~~~~~ they were ‘washed’ all over. My, my — what a revelation!!!!!
Now, Jesus showed that because Judas had evil in his heart to betray the Lord, (he had already done this)— therefore, it showed that Judas had NOT received the sanctification of being CLEANSED by Jesus. He was ‘dirty’ — not street dirt —– no — soul dirty = full of sin.
Now Jesus showed that first, one must have the feet cleansed = set ourselves apart for the service of God = repentance and humbling oneself. Later, the Holy Ghost fills one and they are sanctified wholly for the work of God.
Then, after that, one must DAILY clean their ‘feet’ = keep our daily ‘walk’ in Holiness. He showed in the other verses, that as their MASTER, he had humbled himself and ‘washed’ them; or made them have a part with him.
Then he said you are not above your master; so since I humbled myself and washed you all, even my enemy, you must do also; you must wash each other in humbleness, following my example, for if you cannot and will not do this, you have no part with me. It shows, each day, we must renew our ‘walk’ with Jesus; our fellowship and love for each other. No PRIDE.
God hates PRIDE. But this is not the purpose of the ‘washing of feet’: ~~~ this message fully proves that it has to do with being given a PART WITH JESUS. And in order to receive our ‘part’ we must be first washed by Him; then keep up the practice of ‘washing each other’.
Verse v14– If I them, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; YE ALSO OUGHT TO WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET.
Accept this or deny this?????? Which one????
v15–I have given you an example, that ye SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE TO YOU.
v16–The servant is not greater than his lord; ——— Greater than????????? A question they had pondered and wanted to have ———- = a place greater than —– ‘who shall be the greatest?’ —— let me sit on your right side ——- what shall this man do ? —– greater than??? —-
No!!!!!!!!!!
YE ARE ALL BRETHERN!!!!!!!!
v17—If ye know these things, HAPPY ARE YE IF YE DO THEM.
Accept —– or reject????
Will you obey??? And be HAPPY—- and be ONE —– and be washed —– and be given a part with Jesus —- and be one —- and be cleaned each day at the feet = the daily walk………..
My, my, !!!!! What a revelation!!!
this modern day fake church has caused almost everyone to lose sight of. Most people today consider these things to be of no importance and worse — to be rejected by God for our day.
Nothing could be further from the truth. How do you suppose that TRUTH is unimportant in our day?
~~~~~~~ The head, or face washing ~~~~~~~
Another Scripture which concerns the washing of the hands and what it shows is in:
Psalms 26:6~~~ I will wash mine hands in INNOCENCY: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
v7~That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
So this act of hand washing was to show one had obtained unto being innocent; and being able to tell the wondrous works of God.
This is what Pilate was trying to accomplish as he ‘washed’ his hands before the people, saying I am innocent of the blood of this just man.
See, here he tried to ‘wash’ his own hands; in other words his own works to cleanse himself. This is what the law keeping is all about = trying to cleanse yourself by your own works of the law. It just cannot be done, anymore than Pilate cleansed himself.
See also that he was telling of the works of Jesus by saying this is a just man? He tried to perform what the ‘hand washing’ signifies. Remember, all Scripture is profitable for doctrine. So this is the true doctrine found in the hand washing ceremony.
Now I am going to go to the ‘head washing’. The Word calls it ‘face washing’.
Back in Genesis 43 we find the story of Joseph down in Egypt when his brothers had come there to get food. In verse 29 it shows Joseph looking at his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and he made haste to go weep; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother.
Now this shows the love Jesus has for us who are his spiritual brothers; born of the true mother, the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Joseph went into his chamber, and wept. Then —
v31~~~~~ And he WASHED HIS FACE, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
The ‘face’ in many Scriptures, shows the BLESSING; the favor of God being upon one. I could give you many Scriptures showing this; but for space I will just tell you. It shows a turning away from an old way to a new way. This is also proven by many Scriptures.
See that Joseph washed his face before going out to reveal himself to his brothers. The first thing he did was to ‘feed’ them. See that Jesus ate with the apostles before they knew who he was after his resurrection. When he found them out fishing, he said to them, have you any meat. He had prepared food for them to eat. He feeds us; then reveals himself to us; as is shown by the ‘washing of the face’.
See that the Israelites started a ‘new type’ of life after Joseph revealed himself to them. They started that 400 year stay in Egypt.
So this washing of the face– or head — showed the favor of Joseph coming upon his family. So Peter was asking for Jesus to wash his head, so he could obtain the blessings and favor of Jesus. And also, he wanted to obtain the NEW MOVE OF GOD = THE N.T. Grace of the Holy Ghost.
Lord Jesus, ever more, wash me; make me whiter than snow.
~~~~THE NEW TESTAMENT WASHING ~~~~
Now, we shall explore the New Testament washing.
Let’s begin in Matt. 6:17~~~ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
v18~~~That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
So here we see that anointing the ‘head and washing the face’ is a sign of secret work with God; of being empowered by a secret work of God. Since we are doing this solely to God and not to receive ‘glory’ from man, we are going into the ‘secret’ place with God and gaining the power to do the works of God on earth.
Remember that when Jesus cast out the demon which caused the boy to have seizers, and the disciples asked him why they could not cast it out, Jesus answered, This kind can come out only by fasting and prayer. So, this secret fasting and praying is this anointing the head and washing the ‘face’. In other words, this is giving us the power of God; which is the anointing of the head and the washing of the face.
So, when you fast, keep it secret; anoint your head; wash your face; all of this is to bring the anointing of God upon your head, or power, and the causing of the ‘face’ to shine. This signifies that one is filled with the glory of God.
I did not find an instance of the head washing in the O.T. [there may be; I might not have found it] So, I see at this point that the ‘head or face’ washing signifies the New Testament of Jesus.
Matt. 15:1~~~ Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees which were of Jerusalem, saying,
v2–Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash NOT their hands when they eat bread.
v3~~But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
v9~But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
So what I see here is that the disciples were breaking away from the Old Testament. They were being moved on by God to transgress the traditions of those old law keepers and brake away from that old priesthood of Levi. They had to do this in order to be ready for the new priesthood of Jesus. They had a tradition of ‘hand’ washing before eating ; for it showed they were the ones doing the work of God sent by the priests.
But it was just as the church world today is: a complete sham of the true things of God. It was not the true washing of the hands set up for the priests. Just as the church is not teaching the true doctrine of Jesus today.
So in not washing hands before they ate, the disciples were breaking away from that old system; preparing for the ‘head’ washing which is the anointing of the N.T. This real washing came on the Day of Pentecost; this is why Jesus did not wash their hands and head there in the upper room of the last supper.
He only washed their feet ~ preparing them for the New Ministry which was coming to them at Pentecost.
Mark 7 :2-9 also cover this same event. Jesus showed them that by their tradition they were rejecting the commandment of God. So it shows that the law keepers were not the ones keeping the commandments of God. They were worshipping God in vain. Jesus said this. So only the true New Testament way of serving God is acceptable to Him. That is what the ‘head’ washing shows.
Now for one of the most important instances of this ‘washing’ in the Word of God.
Luke 7: 36-50 ~~~ You know the story; a Pharisee had Jesus to eat with him. The Pharisee rejected Jesus as a servant of God, by NOT giving him water for his feet; he did not anoint Jesus’ head, thus rejecting the New Move of God which Jesus was bringing in. This was an outright INSULT to the Son of God.
Mary, a woman out of whom Jesus had cast seven devils, came in and broke open this precious box of ointment and anointed Jesus’ head with this precious ointment. Thus she was the very first one to do the work of God in this matter of anointing and washing for the purpose of anointing Jesus for the New Testament work of God. In doing this, she was accepting the headship of Jesus as a new priesthood.
Then she washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with the long hair of her head. Thus she was the very first one to perform this ministry of washing the feet of the servant of God to anoint him for the new covenant work of God. Instead of pouring out water from an external source, she used her own water of tears. Instead of wiping his feet with a towel, [an external source] she used her own holy covering, her long hair. Thus she showed the New Testament women how to obey the New Testament commandments of Holy living. This also showed the water of life being a well of water inside us. We fill up and give out this water to others; see it comes from within, an internal source.
The Pharisee showed that he had rejected Jesus as being the Holy One of God in this saying: ~~ v39–he said IF this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
Now there is a lot to teach just in this verse alone. This Pharisee was self-righteous; he felt himself to have no need to touch Jesus; he had no desire to touch Jesus, much less minister to him. He also thought that because this woman was a sinner she had no right to come and touch Jesus. He thought that Jesus did not know what kind of person she was. So he had rejected Jesus as being a prophet.
Now a kiss also represents a form of love and worship; so this Pharisee should have kissed Jesus when he arrived; but see that Jesus told him, v45–You gave me no kiss – thus the Pharisee gave another form of rejection of respecting Jesus.
Jesus said but this woman since I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. See most of the people just kissed the forehead; but this woman loved so much and worshipped so much, she lowered herself to kiss his feet. Thus she was worshipping the New Testament ministry
v46–My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
See this man had rejected to do the ministry of anointing the HEAD of the New Testament Church with the oil which represents the Holy Ghost. But this woman anointed his feet —- to be the New Testament Minister.
v47–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.
So her love for Jesus and the New Testament which she saw he was bringing in, is what caused her to perform this great ministry of washing his feet and anointing his head. She performed one of the greatest acts of worship and service to God which has ever been accomplished. She washed and anointed the HEAD of the New Testament for his ministry.
You may think that this was at the close of his ministry —– but no. His earthly ministry was not the New Testament ministry — it was closing out the Old Testament ministry of Law. His New Testament Ministry began on the Day of Pentecost. In that you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it to ME.
In Acts 22 Paul is telling of his conversion: In verse 16 he is quoting what Ananias had told him to do–And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and WASH AWAY THY SINS, calling on the name of the Lord.
Now see that this is the ultimate WASHING— the obedience to the command to be Baptized in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. All who reject this New Testament way of Salvation, are doing as Simon the Pharisee did, in rejecting Jesus.
Now for a few more verses on the importance of this WASHING.
1Cor. 6:9–Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
v10–Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.
v11—And such were some of: BUT ye are WASHED, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Now this covers a lot of sins; showing that those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God; yet most teachers and preachers say you can sin all you want to and still be saved. Where do they get this lie?
v11–shows that the washing in the name of Jesus = Baptism, and the sanctification by the Spirit is what got these people out of their sinful condition and into Jesus.
Eph. 5:26–That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
v27–That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So here is a description of the Bride of Christ; see that she has no sin in her— she has obeyed the Word and been washed in the water as the Word says to do. She has been sanctified = living Holy as He is Holy. This means fashioning yourself according to Holiness. This means not conforming to the World but being Transformed by the renewing of the mind. All who do not obey this will NOT BE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.
1Tim. 5:10–[this verse shows that foot washing was certainly to have been continued on into the church; not just that which Jesus did to the apostles; if you doubt this, read this verse] —Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have WASHED THE SAINTS’ FEET, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
Now here is more explanation of how to live a holy life. These widows which were to taken care of by the church had to have WASHED THE SAINTS’ FEET — so if it were not followed up by the church, how could she have done this?
Titus 3:5–Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the WASHING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Heb. 10:22–Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our BODIES WASHED with pure water.
Now this is saying our BODIES are to be WASHED with PURE WATER— so this could not mean the spirit coming into our souls — for it said our BODY. So in order to be washed with pure water–one must obey the Word on all washings involving the service to the BODY. This includes the foot washing which we saints are to perform on each other; it includes the Baptism in water in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins as Commanded by Peter in Acts 10.
You must obey these Scriptures in order to have the washing of your souls in the BLOOD OF JESUS.
I want to add this, ~`my thoughts~` to this message before I let it be called finished.
As I studied this message, I have come to see in my own mind, that this matter of ‘foot washing’ is not something we must wait for some church to hold. I see in all the instances of New Testament foot washing, it was carried out in homes. It was done in private, individual settings.
As I see it, and as God has placed it into my soul, we should, as Christians, practice washing any saints feet who come into our home. Now, I know most people will think this is kind of ‘out of it’; you know, CRAZY.
But then I ask where is any other example of how to do in the Word? Can you find where the churches held a large group thing called foot washing? I did not find that recorded in the Word. All I saw was this being done in someone’s home. It was done to only a few at a time.
Now, I am not implying that it may be wrong to do it as a church setting; that I do not know. But, I am just saying I did not find this in the Word. I found only private settings for this to be done in.
I have been shown by God, that when I have any opportunity to wash a saints feet, I should do this. I really desire to do this. I have done it in a church setting; we have done it in home prayer meetings; and this is fine; but my desire in my soul is to do it whenever a saint is in my home; or any other appropriate setting.
I see this as just as important as praying for each other. I think that as a church people today, we have been mightly cheated out of the true things of the Almighty God.
May we receive correction.
Lord Jesus, may you place this true message into the hearts of your saints.
In Jesus Name, I ask.
This thought of any connection of removing street dirt from the feet should be FOREVER AND COMPLETELY REMOVED FROM THIS WONDERFUL SERVICE OF FOOT WASHING OF THE SAINTS !!!!
Let it be heard LOUD AND CLEAR ~~~ this has not ONE THING TO DO WITH REMOVING DIRT FROM THE FEET.
I wrote many messages proving the wonderful deep, hidden reasons for this service.
I have not found one single Scripture saying that this is for the purpose of HUMBLING oneself. Almost everyone connects this ‘HUMULATING’ or humbling to this service.
LET THIS ALSO BE FOREVER REMOVED AS A PURPOSE OF THIS SERVICE.
Now, if anyone of you knows of a Scripture which shows it is done for the purpose of humbling oneself, then show me and I will say AMEN ~~ I OVERLOOKED IT.
But if it is not written in the Word, then it is not true. Let’s all learn this is the most important thing ~~~ we are to go only by the Written Word ~ teach only the Written Word ~ believe only the Written Word.
Jesus said, if you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have DONE IT TO ME. So, if I wash your feet, I am doing it as to Jesus; as Mary did to Jesus. I am anointing Jesus for his service.
He said we are bone of his bone; flesh of his flesh; ~~~~ So when I wash your feet, it is Jesus washing your feet; as He did to the disciples to anoint them for their ministry.
So see the Glory????? It is a two-fold ministry here ~~ this foot washing ~~~ I wash your feet as though Jesus were washing your feet. Then you wash my feet though Jesus were washing my feet. See? Isn’t this one of the most beautiful things ever presented to us in the Word of God???
It is for the purpose of anointing each other for ministry; and also preparing us to be the Bride of Christ. That is all I found as a reason for this ministry of foot washing.
I say YES!!!!! Let’s all get to doing this with the right understanding of why we are doing it !!!!! AMEN !
I also meant to bring this out: this service of foot washing was done AFTER the supper was ENDED. It had not one thing to do with preparing for the supper. My first message shows clearly that Supper was ENDED before Jesus washed them.
It does not show to have even one single thing to do with ‘soul searching or repenting’. This is not the purpose of the foot washing. Let’s not add human reasonings to this wonderful secret ministry.
I fully believe that only those of us who perform this ministry, will be in the Bride of Christ. No one who rejects to obey such a wonderful performance of Jesus, and his command to do as he did, will be in that Bride.
It may be PRIDE keeping you from doing this; but God resists the proud. But humbling yourself is NOT the purpose of doing this service. One would have to be humble and in tune with Jesus in the first place to see this and do it. I believe if you do it wrongly, it is of no value.
I have been telling people lately that I just do no believe this modern type of church is what God ordained. I just do not see it. this thing of just going to ‘church’ (really beginning to dispise this word…… for THEY have so poluted it) and sitting there on a ‘phew’ (shew, that word stinks too, doesn’t it?)….. and possibly (in a still, small voice (joke)- ‘sing’ a song or ‘praise?” to our great God, and then sit and ‘listen?’ while some hireling gives out his little ‘sermonet’….. and THEY HAVE THE GALL TO CALL THIS WORSHIP!!!
I am like you, I do not think so.
Now I know this makes us very UNPOPULAR, AND UNLIKED, but I just can’t help it. I do not see this as real WORSHIP.
And apparently God did not either, since he told me to leave every one of them which I ever attended. And then< …. > AND THIS IS TRUTH, >>>>> I only learned truth and faith about God AFTER LEAVING THEM. THEY ACTUALLY KEPT ME FROM LEARNING TRUTH AND COMING TO ANY FAITH.
I had to UNLEARN every thing they had ‘taught’ me and relearn truth as God teaches. I had to pray and seek for the least bit of faith;;; for the ‘church?” had kept me from ever coming to the least bit of faith.
But thanks to God, He led me out, he called me out, I obeyed and came out of her, and now He teaches me truth and faith.
I saw your point. I know we are to let the Word of God flow out of our “belly’ = mouth to help wash each other. But what I said was THIS does NOT do away with the natural foot-washing as you stated.
I find no place where it was said this no longer applies.
You said This is the water for washing; you implied that it did away with the natural foot washing which Jesus instituted there just before he died.
What was it for, if it was to be done away with the next week?
John 13:1 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.
13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
13:10 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.
13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
13:12 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?
13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
1 Tim 5: 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man.
5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
Seems to me Jesus and Timothy thought this to be very important
Paul still had foot-washing going on well over into the church age. I am quite sure Paul had that river of life flowing out of his belly, if anyone ever did.
Yet he still taught to wash feet (bet they used a pan of water too).
Unless…….. all the widows had the river flowing out and they were washing feet another way.