Ceremonial Washing in the Old and New Testaments

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Ceremonial washing or ablution occupied a vital place in people’s lives in both the Old and New Testaments. Initially, this procedure was used in two situations: as a hygiene measure and comfort and in a religious setting. While the first context has a purely practical meaning associated with the need to cleanse the body, the second option carries a more profound sense. First of all, ablution, including feet, is related to the priest’s entrance into the temple, performing the role of a cleansing procedure before interacting with holy places. These ceremonies were used to come to good since it was believed that a person washes away their sins with water. Thus, ablution is not only a physical but also a spiritual procedure.

This is part of the reason why Jesus chose this particular procedure. Several factors are combined here: firstly, such actions on the part of the leader towards his disciples are a lesson of service and humility. As their leader, He voluntarily knelt before them, serving them and thereby expressing His confidence in them. Although His disciples, for example, Peter, refused such a procedure, considering it inappropriate, Jesus still carried it out because he knew that not all of his disciples were clean in a spiritual sense.

Such a gesture blurs the line between a leader and a subordinate in a cultural context and carries deep symbolic knowledge. Jesus, washing the disciples’ feet, washes away their sins, letting them know that they can be with him only in the absence of sins (Muse, 2019). He clearly shows them that even if he, their Lord and Teacher, washes their feet, they are obliged to do the same concerning each other since there is a spiritual meaning behind this action.

Finally, in addition to a spiritual and moral lesson, Jesus’ example shows servant leadership principles that can be applied in today’s context. Although this theory is not popular in current systems, in which leaders are almost always in a superior position, it can be effectively implemented in the healthcare sector. Serving other people is the main characteristic precisely because the leader has more authority. Thus, humility, a willingness to help for others’ good, and caring are shown. These qualities are critical in medicine, so they can be introduced into the relationship between the head of the department and subordinates, which will make them understand that they are as essential and valuable as their patients.

Reference

Muse, T. (2019). Jesus washing his disciples’ feet was much more than just a lesson in service and humility. Owlcation. Web.

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