tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855146211191927878.post1660829080477421357..comments2024-03-25T09:21:41.036-07:00Comments on BRIAN TODD BLOG: Holy Door Mats Brian Ray Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01242157834688837290noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855146211191927878.post-54400082772484578982016-08-02T20:56:02.634-07:002016-08-02T20:56:02.634-07:00I'm often asked, "do you take the bible l...I'm often asked, "do you take the bible literally or figuratively?" That's a loaded question. My response is that I take the bible literally where it's literal and figuratively where it's figurative. I'm reading a book called "Go Figure" about the figures of speech used in the bible. There are over 150 legitimate figures of speech in scripture. Some of these figures we were taught in English class: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, condescension, parable, and so on. The question is whether the foot washing example is to be taken literally or figuratively. Like the parables that Jesus spoke, this foot-washing incident was an "example" to the disciples. In John 13, Jesus said that "ye are not all clean" since the devil had entered into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray him. (See verses 2 and 11.) The example here is not only to approach Jesus with clean feet, but also with a clean heart. Moreover, Jesus used this incident as an example of "humility." The disciples often argued among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom. However, Jesus said, "whosoever shall be chief among you must be servant of all." As Brian mentioned, foot-washing was relegated to the lowest ranking servant in the household. Jesus used this example to remind us to forsake our pride and to "condescend to men of low estate" in order to serve others at their level of need. Jesus had said, "in that ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me." This is not a burden but rather a joy according to verse 17: If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.<br />God bless you, MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855146211191927878.post-49582112318583615102016-07-28T22:03:37.448-07:002016-07-28T22:03:37.448-07:00I must ask for clarification though, are you meani...I must ask for clarification though, are you meaning the physical washing of feet or the symbolic example of washing feet? Maybe you and I have washed a few feet in our day ... I certainly hope so. The Bible passage in John 13:1-15 reads; "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended,[a] the devil having already put it 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 had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. <br /><br />It was about the physical washing of feet. I heard before that in that time, everyone walked in sandals on dirt roads and their feet became dusty. It was customary that a guest entered a visiting home, a servant would wash the feet of the guest as a courtesy. The host never lowered themselves to the position of that foot washing servant. But Jesus did. He took the position of a low social position servant to throw the social order of the world up-side-down by example. Christ's disciples (learners/followers) are to seek and serve; not be served in the economics of the kingdom of God. That is what Jesus was sayings here and in that case my Christian brother, we may have washed a foot or two. <br /><br />Great point sir, and a wonderful thought-provoking question. Thank you for commenting and allowing me to explain. Brian Ray Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01242157834688837290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4855146211191927878.post-29654820174089214032016-07-28T08:46:16.721-07:002016-07-28T08:46:16.721-07:00True, but how many feet have you washed?! Me neith...True, but how many feet have you washed?! Me neither!!!Controversial Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01592854534440021411noreply@blogger.com