Scripture:
" If I then, your Lord and Master (teacher), have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet." - John 13:14

The principle of foot washing is considerably more than a ceremonial ritual. If all that we do is have a service in which we dip one anther’s feet in a basin of water and ceremonially wash, we have woefully missed the concept.

The concept of foot washing is that of refreshing not bathing. By that I mean the implication isn’t that our brethren have become totally polluted by the world and it’s sin. But it does imply that because his feet make contact with the dusty dirty roads of life, he is subjected to opportunities to become soiled. Understanding this we should in love wash one another’s feet.

The idea of foot washing is to forgive and refresh our brethren. A obligation not only delegated to leadership but to all. A leader needs to be aware of his responsibility to forgive and refresh those for whom he serves. He washes them by providing encouragement and forgiveness. He must find grace to forgive other’s their human weaknesses and restore them by finding avenues of encouragement. The same holds true of those who are not leaders.

Let us not look for another ritualistic service to exercise this heavenly mandate. We should make every effort to discover ways to exercise this without going through some kind of religious ritual. Why not find a brother and refresh and renew him. Refresh him by some unsolicited act of kindness. Wash him by willfully forgiving him for his failures. Remembering we all must walk the dusty roads of life and will need our feet washed and our life refreshed.

If we all will practice this how much stronger will the church become? Why don’t you fill your spiritual basin with the water of kindness and the detergent of forgiveness and refresh someone today?