"AN EXPECTATION"

It has been repeated several times and perhaps asked by many preachers and pastors the big “why” question… Why do you come to church? Why do you give your life to someone that you have not seen but whole heartedly believe that they are the reason for your healing and the rites to an eternity in heaven? You may have been asked also, what are your expectations for coming to the house of worship?

As I continue to walk and trying to understand teachings about Christ and Christianity, I cannot stop finding and discovering how the power of God unfolds Himself in the several teachings that we encounter day by day!

On Wednesday December 26, 2012 I experienced yet another teaching to one of the  questions asked, what are your expectations... Info was sent out to members of City of Praise and the masses in general about a “feet washing and crossing over to 2013 ceremony". I happened to be attending the service that day.  Before the ceremony the Pastor, usually referred to as the Apostle Judah Praise Martin, was careful in laying the foundation of what this ceremony meant. The scripture that he referenced was  John 13-1-38 but I will stop at verse 14 for the purpose of this reading. 

Image from google search feet washing

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Now Jesus in all humanity washed His disciples feet and  instructed them to do the same one to the other. Pastor went on to say that he was just following the instructions that Christ first asked His followers to do. Pastor continued to say the feet washing was not a religious practice as usually signified in other denominations or viewed by other religious fanatics but rather it was a “spiritual initiation” into being a part of Christ and identifying with His teachings and attributes.

Feet washing as it relates to the Passover or crossing over when done gives you the right to if you believe to “Passover every trouble, sickness, pain, frustration and more” adversities of life that one might be faced with. If you believe your feet becomes covered with spiritual iron and bronze shoes as indicated by the pastor backing it with the verse from Deuteronomy 33:24-25. Shoes that will give you the strength to bruise the head of the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy, Romans 16:20 Feet washing when done is like humbling yourself therefore under God’s mighty hands that he may lift you up in due time. 1^st Peter 5:6

Image from google search feet washing

All this was on Wednesday and we all had our feet washed and I was very interested in the topic and wanted to know more about this subject matter that I found intriguing. On my curiosity hunt, I discovered that this practice has long existed in the Old Testament before Christ did it. People who had traveled from afar when they came to their destinations the servants of that traveler’s host would wash their feet as gestures to welcoming, acceptance into their household etc. Leaders in the Catholic Church would do it during the week preceding Easter and the English royalties did this up to the 1700 to poor people before they give them gifts. 

In modern times although still practiced but rarely it has become a romantic ceremonial attractions in weddings were the couples believe that this signifies their commitment to each others love as well as service as in the context of the biblical service that Christ did for His disciples. Than it all became clearer to me why Pastor would call it a "spiritual initiation". For when Christ did it and Christ being God, He was truly setting the course for us to understand that this was a cleansing of a sort that when believed and if one had an expectation he or she definitely deserved to be a part of Him. Hence being a part of Christ and following His will and instructions for your life, you begin  to experience a "crossing over", "passing over" of all the issues that have held you from fully experiencing God's love for your life, abundant healing, and hope for a life in eternity. 

Image from google search feet washing

 I could not stop thinking about the subject matter the rest of the week till now. Now Sunday 12/29/12, one of the ladies that took part in the ceremony stated to the congregation via a testimony that on wednesday the day of the feet washing ceremony, she’d come with an expectation to have her feet washed knowing that it was not pastor that was washing the feet but it was Jesus that was playing the role through pastor. Per her words, she had been experiencing swelling in her leg as a dancer.  When she’d gotten the notice about the "feet washing and crossing over ..." message she came believing that the feet washing would heal her. Evidently she  was the first in line for the ceremony. When she went home she stated it was later the same night that she told her roommate to come and see how the swelling had disappeared. How amazing! I thought as I sat and listened. She requested a prayer that the healing would be permanent and members of the congregation stood and  joined the pastor to pray for her.

I know that we all may still doubt and wonder why some practices are still existing but I wrote this to encourage us doubting “Peters” the bible will remain the bible, it’s teaching and every story that comes with it was written by the divine inspiration of men used by God.  What changes sometimes are the renewed revelations that come as men of God try to find meaning to its vast mysteries and teachings. I love to think that the concept of a “ spiritual initiation” was a unique revelation that came to the Apostle Judah Praise Martin from the Holy Spirit. It is by the gift of the Holy Spirit we come to know and understand the mysteries of God. We just have to have our own expectations, know the creator we serve, trust His teachings, study His word, avail ourselves  and most of all give our lives to Him whole heartedly that He may begin to show us His mighty works.

I do also pray for the sister to have a total healing! I strongly believe because she had her expectation cut out prior to the "feet washing ceremony..."God stepped in on her behalf.

Catherine K.