MMOP Teaching: Foot Washing, Communion, (Baptism)
Foot Washing (John 13:1-17)
-John 13:1 “… Jesus knew that His time had come to leave this world and return to His Father. He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth and had loved them to the end …” This is an important context by John included right before he describes Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. John 13:4 “Then, He began to wash the disciples’ feet …” In this context described by John, Jesus is doing the job of the lowest servant in the household. Scholars also point out, as found in the description of this same event in Luke 22:23, the disciples entered the room debating as to who was the greatest among them. Jesus knew that actions spoke louder than words.
View the video, “The Hidden Meaning of Jesus Teaching to Wash Feet.”
Explanation of the process: How, Who to wash
COMMUNION (Matt 26:17-30, Luke 26:7-20)
-Matt 26:17 “Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread …” It is important to remember that Jesus and the disciples were getting ready to celebrate and remember the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Jesus is now going to provide a new center of redemption to be remembered by a new ceremonial meal. Matt. 26:26 “Jesus took some bread, blessed and broke it … Take, eat, this is my body …This is My blood of the new covenant ..” Typically, when the bread was lifted up at Passover, the Head of the meal said, “This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt ..” Everything eaten at the Passover meal had a symbolic meaning and, often it was explained. Yet, Jesus did not give the normal explanation of each no the foods. He reinterpreted them in Himself and the focus was no longer on the suffering of Israel in Egypt but on the sin-bearing suffering on their behalf. Verse 26:27: “This is my blood of the new covenant ..” Here, Jesus is announcing the institution of a new covenant between God and man sealed with blood even as the old covenant was sealed with blood (Exodus 24:8)” Luke 22:19 “This is my body which is given for you .. “ There are three theological interpretations of this verse.
The Roman Catholic Church holds the idea of “transubstantiation” which teaches that when we take communion, the bread and the wine actually becomes the body and blood of Christ. Martin Luther held the idea of “consubstantiation” which teaches the bread remains bread and the wine remains wine but by faith they are the same as Jesus’ actual body. John Calvin taught that Jesus’ presence is real in the bread and the wine but only in a spiritual sense.
View the short video “What is Communion?”
Take Communion together. (Distribute, hold and take together) Using the words of Jesus in I Corin. 11:26-24
-“This is my body which is given for you, Do this in remembrance of me” (Prayer)
-“This cup is the new covenant between God and His people, an agreement confirmed in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” (Prayer)
Listen to Video/recording of Lord’s Prayer
Andrea Bocelli with Morman Tabernacle Choir