What Is Footwashing And When Was It Established?

On the evening of His departure, the Lord Jesus got up to show His disciples the full extent of His love.

He “rose from supper, laid aside His garments, and girded himself with a towel. Then 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” (Jn 13:4-5).

The Lord stripped Himself of His robes and served His subjects. The Creator bent before His creatures to wash the humblest part of their bodies. It was more than just a farewell ceremony. As He knelt before them one by one and washed the feet of the followers who would abandon Him, the teacher gave His last, greatest lesson of love.

Jesus said, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean” (Jn 13:10). With this analogy, the Lord teaches us that a believer needs to accept footwashing after he or she has been baptized.

Why do I need to receive footwashing?