The Foot-Washing Ceremony

Foot-Washing Ceremony Taught by Jesus

Before participating in the Passover ceremony (partaking of the bread and wine), we must first participate in the Foot-Washing ceremony which was conducted by Jesus as an example for us. With biblical records we can confirm that no one can participate in the Passover before washing the feet.

John‬ ‭13:1-7 ‭ “It was just before the Passover Festival…he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

John 13:12-15 “When he had finished washing their feet…I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

At first, Apostle Peter who faithfully followed Jesus did not understand why Jesus had to wash his feet.

John 13:8-10 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean…””

Nevertheless, Jesus taught Peter that He had to wash Peter’s feet to let him participate in the Passover. Meaning, there is no exception to this rule. If we call ourselves faithful, we definitely must follow the examples set by Jesus and by participating in the foot-washing ceremony, we can become actual followers of Christ.

Foot-Washing Took Place in the Old Testament Times

The Old Testament describes the ceremony of the priests having to wash both hands and feet from a basin before they entered the tent of meeting to carry out their work of ministry. With no exception, only the priests who washed could enter.

Exodus ‭30:17-20‬ “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water…”

The priests who disobeyed could never enter the tent of meeting once again and were put to death.

Exodus 30:20-21 “Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.””

God kept it as a very strict ceremony that could not be broken. In the New Testament, Jesus, God in the flesh, came and said just washing the feet is enough. To enter the temple which represents Christ through the Passover, we must observe the foot-washing ceremony according to the New Testament regulations. What matters more is the New Testament regulations taught directly by Jesus. If we do not wash our feet, we can imagine what will happen to us spiritually with Jesus’ words:

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Observing Passover in an Unworthy Manner?

During the apostolic age, there were some saints who kept the Passover in an unworthy manner which the Apostle Paul criticized that they brought judgment upon themselves. If we don’t examine ourselves before participating in the Passover, then, in the end, we will be guilty of a greater sin that causes death.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-30 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you…So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.”‬

The Passover is a holy feast that grants us eternal life, the seal of God and the Tree of life. If we wish to receive such blessings from God, we must participate in the foot-washing sacred ceremony which has procedures and regulations which we must obey. This is a way how we can participate in the Passover in a “worthy manner.” With this ceremony we can also discern that is only the World Mission Society Church of God that actually follows the direct teachings of Jesus.