Washing Of The Feet - A Personal Experience -

      There is much to learn from the events that took place in the Savior's final moments. I shared some thoughts about the Savior in a February post entitled; Experience the Joy of The Sacrament - I will share briefly

 some additional thoughts that I have had about the Sacrament. I  read a book called: "Of These Emblems - Coming Closer to Christ through the Sacrament" by various authors. Since reading this book, I have tried to make the Sacrament more meaningful  in my life. I have spent more time thinking about my Savior and all He has done for me. I focus in on His final hours. Since doing this, the Sacrament has taken on a greater significance in my life. The Sacrament is a time for repenting, thus soul searching, and then the healing power of the atonement can take place. As we partake of these emblems and renew our covenants each week we are to remember Him always and then the promised blessing; we will have the spirit to be with us. I want that blessing of the spirit to be with me. I know that only by living worthy of the spirit of the Holy Ghost can we safely maneuver through our lives.
      I am going to share with you my feelings on the final act in the upper room just before our Lord continued on to Gethsemane to fulfill his promises to His Father and all of us.
     In the New Testament John Chapter 13

Jesus washes the feet of the Twelve  and He commands them to love one another.

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.

2. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;

3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

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.

6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

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.

9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

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.

11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

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. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to Wash one another’s feet.

15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

16. 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.

17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

In thinking about the Savior at this time. He loved these 12 men who he had chosen as Apostles. He knew that Judas would betray him. After he had initiated the first Sacrament; his time had come.

The Lord completed one more loving, charitable act by washing the feet of His beloved Apostles; thus teaching them to Love One Another. This was another powerful ordinance that was instituted by the Savior.

     I have wondered about how the Apostles felt. I have just a tinge of an idea through my own experience with the washing of the feet.

I had been a Hospice Home Health Nurse for a couple of years when I was told I had to take the Volunteer class. I wasn't very humble. I thought I knew all I needed to know to care for my patients. On this memorable day those in the class were asked to bring a basin and wash cloth to class. There were probably around 14 volunteers present. The class instructor divided us up and then told us that we were to wash each other's feet. I was given a gentleman as my partner in this experience. I volunteered to wash his feet first. He was a complete stranger and needless to say I felt very uncomfortable.

We were instructed not to talk with one another while doing this assignment. As I began to wash his feet; I could tell that he was uncomfortable with me doing this. I didn't know what to think. I thought that perhaps he had ticklish feet. I looked deep into to his eyes and sensed he was in pain. As I recognized this fact I gently washed his feet trying hard not to cause the pain I had seen. I took each of his feet one at a time and placed them on the towel to wipe them. I placed the towel over his feet and again gently dried his feet. After we were allowed to speak he told me that the bottoms of his feet and been severely burned and that not only the water but any contact was painful. He thanked me for my gentleness. I also at this time found out he was a member of my faith. This was a profound moment for me in which I was deeply humbled and the washing of the Apostles feet took on a greater significance to me.