The National tribune., 1891-10-08
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Dufics Taught by study Of the
International Sundny-schooI Lesson Ap-
pointed for Oct. Is, 1891. II. john, Is IL
II.
Zone reading these notes should FIRST carefully
study the paragraph from tie Holy Scriptures a.
Indicated above
SUBJECT: JESUS WksHISG THE DISCIPLES
FEET.
l. Data
We have only the account written by st.
John. The author was present. The incident
left deep impression ON his mind. and so 80
years afteTwaTd We find him writing up "a re-
port. Properly the account consists OF verse
,, And supper being ended, aud verses 3 to
10 inclusive, st. Matthew, though present,
omits 10 mention the case.
. Tine.
We date Thursday evening. March l.. A. d.
%. IL was not long after dark, say, not far
from o'clock. II was the night before the
cTuci6xon. 1t was during the Passover.
Ia verse , many, including Afford. Meyer,
Lsugc, Tonder. instead Of being ended "bc-
lug served or about 10 begin The mean
ing is, while the supper was in progress. The
revised edition has serving supper Depart
ont OF this world (E. Il is n euphcmism for
33 and 81 years old. This IS the interval be
tween "Camc from " aud 90 went 10. (N. 81
Before ". ! was the day prior, viz, our
Thursday, the Passover proper being on Fri
day. The Passover was instituted 2jJ3 A. VI.
ia memory Of the preservation OF the first born
Of the children Of Israel in Egypt. Its first
observance was IN Goshen; its irstauniversary
al Mt. Sinai. IL had been celebrated over 400
times Properly 10 should have wholly ceased
and been followed by the Lords supper, but it
IS still maintained b. the Jews. save rs to the
Offering Of sacrifices. The Jewish Friday began
on our Thursday evening. Strictly speaking,
before" tV. j. may refer TO the feast Of the
Passover. Of which Christ and his Disciples
were about to partake that evening. So we
could read, just before the company reclined 20
share in the feast.
3 Place.
The washing Of the feet took place at Jeru-
salem in large upper room. 81. Mark, n 10
and -. Luke, % l2) When the Passover was
occurring at Jerusalem every available place
was fitted up for rent, the city being crowded.
4. The Occasion
We learn the startpoiut Of the trouble in St.
Luke. %: 2i-"TheTc was strife among them,
which Of them should be accounted the great
est" They were about TO SIT down trccliue} at
the table. In Eastern lands people are great
sticEleTs as to positions Of emiuence at all
lstl-LS. IIODA1lJ inc AlLif4lLy originated IN
their proposed arrangement at the table. 1t
WAS a quarrel over fcstal etiQuet.
). The Circumstances.
The environments Of Christ in connection
with his washing OF the Disciples feet were
peculiar. He was ending his earthly career.
lie came 10 earth for purpose, and he had
about accomplished it. He met the Twelve
TO celebrate with them their last Passover. Hc
was abont 20 institute the Lords Supper. He
was passing the last night OF his life. lie came
| from the Father, and was soon to return.
6. The Washer If Feet.
We learn that Christ coudesceudod 10 this
mental office. Those very Disciples looked on
| him as their Master and Lord" (V -
/ They were servants Of Christ. In contrast he
/ lad all things. tN. 81 We know very lin.
/ itedly. tV. ~ Christ knows secret things
| and purposes Of God.
Z The Disciples.
| We suppose Christ washed the feet Of all the
/ Twelve. ST. Peter was much struck by the
] seeming improperly Of Christ engaging 81
/ humbly. Us. Gs.J We cannot suppose that
! the net Of washing the feet was unique 90 be-
! ing performance Of humbIencss. Jesus bad
| all along been rather \ servant 10 the Twelve
| The act was unique, perhaps, as a method By
| which Christ showed his willingness to be
| subordinate We 30 not read that during the
] entire three years Of their intercourse Jesu.
/ ever before washed the feet Of the Twelve.
g. Objects.
It has been thought Christ's object was e
\ shame the Disciples for their unscenIy contest
/ as o. which should have the best place at thu
/ table that night. Compare St. Luke, . : "A
/ and verses Is 10 is Of the lesson. With this
/ view We see what is meant, Christ's example
/ (y 10
Some have thought another object was Il
FvN. q L. e. u.
wicked. cruel condition, and 50 try IS a last
resort 10 save him from tho betrayal. 10 mus
I have been with curious sensations that Christ
I washed the feet Of Judas, and Judas must have
I been sensible Of deep feelings Of contempt o
himself Would they lad 50 troubled him thai
he could not take the money and give the kiss
The Disciples needed this example not sim
ply as evidenced by their strife as to places
duke, %: 81 but as a general principle They
must learn that glory comes from the cross
We cannot suppose the washing % the fee
I would not have occurred had it not been fO
/ the quarrel Of the two Disciples with regard {,
pTe-eminenee in ChTist's Kingdom. Their
were enough other reasons % warrant on
| Savior in his act. But we have the exam pie
! We are told that Caligula forced a number 0
| tho nOblest Roman Senators 20 take position q
his feet, towels in hand. We see in Christ
| conduct picture of his life mission. lie lef
I Heaven and cOndcsccuded % come 20 earth. II
was Lord of the universe, and yet is founl
among men, who insult, pCrsCcute, and Kill him
Then the record OF this beautiful inciden
has elected admiration during these centuries
shamiug men for being ambitious 10 lord il owe
their companions.
IL is not the general opinion Of the Churcl
that Christ's object was the establishment Of al
ordinance something in the nature Of a sacra
ment. 1t has been thought the Holy COmmun
ion is itself too similar 10 warrant the instItu
ton Of the Washing Of Feet rs n sacramento
ordinance. Some have judged it incXpedicut q
raise Christ's incidental or even prominen
deeds into formal ordinances lest the slcra
ncnts lose some of their sniqueHess and force
We do not find any other a.lusiOn % the mat
ter as 10 a precedent. Nothing is said of il, as
duty, in the Acts Of the Apostles nor in thf
Epistlcs. There Is no command discOverabl
as TO such an ordinance. No other case can b,
cited in the New Testament, except that Of tht
widow commended by St. Paul, among Othe
good things, for having washed the saints
feet" This verse l0OGs toward rel giOus rite
and is much support TO those who now reiI ii
Ously practice the washing Of feet. Churcl
history does not show it was 4 practice in tn
early days among Christians, save a. an act o
hospitality. 1t has no religious precedent il
the Old Testament, unless are 10 interpre
TX, 80: I7-2l, and , sam. las Some thiul
those acts prescribed pointed prophetically o
| typicJlly to the incident of our lesson as 2 pre-
Cetcut Tor q religious Christian ordinance.
Some bodies Of Christians hold the sacred
ness OF feet washing as a religious rite. Tn
Sludcmaniaus practice it. The Mennonite
/ held 10 its ObligatJriues4 The Wiuebrenna