Foot Washing

Definition and Meaning

Foot washing (Korean sejoksik) literally means "the rite of washing feet." It commemorates and imitates the act of Jesus Christ in washing the feet of the Twelve Disciples. In that era, washing feet was a task assigned to servants or those of lower standing. For this reason, the rite is understood as a physical expression of the teaching to serve, to be humble, and to love one another. Denominations differ on whether foot washing should be regarded as a sacrament (a holy rite instituted by Christ) or as a commemorative rite or educational observance.

Biblical and Historical Background

The foundational text is John 13:1-17. During the Passover meal, Jesus rose and washed his disciples' feet. When Peter protested, Jesus answered, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me" (John 13:8). He went on to say, "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13:14). The phrase "if she have washed the saints' feet" also appears in 1 Timothy 5:10.

Since the time of the early church, a tradition took hold in the Western church of performing foot washing on the Thursday before Good Friday. In English this day is called Maundy Thursday. The name is commonly said to derive from the Latin mandatum, referring to the "new commandment" of John 13:34. In the Catholic Church, the priest washes the feet of members of the faithful during the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

After the Reformation, mainstream Protestantism did not regard foot washing as a sacrament. Some groups in the Anabaptist tradition, however, have regarded it as a command of Christ to be observed literally and have kept it as an ordinance.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Korean Protestantism, foot washing is generally performed during a Thursday service in Holy Week or during a Communion service. Common forms include the following:

• The senior pastor washes the feet of elders, ministerial staff, and congregants.
• Church officers wash one another's feet.
• A time is set aside for Sunday school teachers and students, parents and children, or married couples to wash one another's feet.
• It is included in retreats or ordination and installation services as an expression of commitment to service.

Practice differs by denomination as follows:

• Most denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches: Foot washing is not regarded as a sacrament. It is considered a rite that individual congregations may choose to observe according to the church calendar.
• Churches that emphasize liturgy (set forms of worship), such as the Anglican Church of Korea: Foot washing is sometimes included as part of the Holy Thursday liturgy.
• Seventh-day Adventist Church: Before Communion, believers wash one another's feet in what is called the "Ordinance of Humility."