What is the purpose or meaning (both symbolic and literal) behind a foot washing service in church?

Question

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As part of a Maundy Thursday or Good Friday service?
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Answer 1

I'd wash your feet symbolic

Answer 2

It was common and customary for each home in those days to offer a basin with which the guest would have their feet washed. It was a sign of respect and welcome.

After periods of walking and working outside, feet were often sore and banged up. Washing them was a soothing thing that was seen as quite a treat. It was a very welcomed activity often performed by some lower level household servant.

Also, when Jesus did this act for the disciples he was showing that the LORD came to serve and that each of these men and women were to follow the example and serve others.

It may have also been an act of spiritual cleansing within the Jewish faith and custom. Kind of a cleaning up before you step on clean ground or floor, home or temple.

Kev

Answer 3

Literal first: It was done by Jesus Christ himself as part of the last supper, to show that they are called to be servants first, if He could be a servant, which by the way were the only people to ever wash anothers feet in those days, then so could they.
Symbolic: As Christians we are called by the life of Christ to three things, to be King, Prophet and Servant. Of these when the priest washes your feet during the Mass service he is acting out the call to Servant as Christ showed us. He is showing that to be a true follower of Christ one must be humble, charitable and loving, all these needed to actually accept the call to wash someones feet.
Those are the two meanings, thanks for the question and may God bless and keep you always.

Answer 4

It is a reenactment of what Jesus did. Jesus was teaching His Apostles and us that we are to be at the service of others. During the time of Jesus people wore sandals all the time and when they would journey on foot their feet would get very dirty. When the traveler would arrive at the home they are coming to visit, the servant would wash the feet of the traveler. This was a sign of a good host to have their servant wash the feet of their guests. So Jesus was teaching us that this is what we are to do for one another; to be at the service to others.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 5

This is first depicted in the book of John (13-17) where Jesus assumes the role of a house servant and washes the diciples feet.

Jesus is trying to lead by example here. He is demonstrating how in postions of leadership we are called to be humble. We are also called to serve one another.

In biblical times the job of washing peoples feet was about the most disgusting job a servant could do equalivant to cleaning toilets in the fraternity house today.

Bottomline, the purpose is to remind us that we are to be humble and serve one another.

Answer 6

Before the Passover meal (the Last Supper) Jesus washed the Apostles feet. As representatives of the church that Jesus established the priests wash the parishioners feet as Jesus washed the Apostles.

Answer 7

When Jesus was brought to the house Mary Magdoline was living at. She was treated very poorly.
The bible says she was a whore, but there is nothing to support that beyond what the bible says.

Regardless, she was a servant.
and she was suposed to was the guests feet.
When Jesus came to her,
she washed his feet with her tears and died them with her hair.
In return Jesus washed her feet.
To symbolize he was a sevant of man. And that everyon e is created equally

Answer 8

It is in John 13.

In v1 it says
Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

He then made preparations to wash his Disciple's feet...

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

-Peter did not want to allow his King to wash his feet, to serve him. He was still somewhat under the misconception that he was to serve the King. So Jesus says if you don't let me serve you I have nothing to do with you. Peter hears this and says in verse 9:

"not just my feet but my hands and my head as well"

Peter still did not understand, and wanted Jesus to bathe him, to show Jesus his devotion. But this was not the point. When we have been washed clean with the blood of Jesus we still get our feet dirty, and need them to be cleaned. Just as Jesus has the power to clean our dirty feet, we should assist each other in keeping them clean. We should never forget to humble ourselves, and serve one another. The example Jesus set for us is so important. He is the King of Kings, and yet his business was in washing our feet, not in being crowned with gold and jewels. We should seek humility and service in becoming like Christ.

Answer 9

It is symbolic of humility and meeting the needs of your fellow man. Jesus thought himself not above washing the disciples feet and neither should we.

Answer 10

Jesus said that by doing this it shows that noone is higher than any other and that we are all equal, this is why he washed one his diciples feet before the last supper.