Sat, Jan 9th - 3:48PM
Brethren Doctrines
THE BRETHREN LOVE FEAST
In doctrine and practice the love feast has been regarded as an entire evening's ceremony which is composed of three parts: preparatory ceremony of feet washing, the central ceremony of a fellowship meal called the Lord's supper, and the climaxing ceremony of the communion or Eucharist. The obvious meaning of a washing ceremony is that of a cleansing or purifying. This does not refer to the actual feet, or else it would have been performed by Jesus at the disciples' entrance into the upper room. It is obviously a symbol of that continual cleansing of the heart without which we, like Peter, would have no part with the Master.
In the love feast this is symbolic of the preparation for the fellowship meal and Eucharist which are to follow. We need to keep our relationship to God clan and up to date. The channels of grace need to be opened for the free flow of God's blessing to be poured out upon us. This is the meaning of the feet washing for the one whose feet are washed. Feet washing is also symbolic of love humbling for service of one another. It applies particularly to the one who is doing the washing of another's feet and is of unusual significance to the entire love feast. For it is the sin of pride, superiority, striving for place, which is the chief barrier to Christian fellowship and which requires the cleansing mentioned previously here. The besetting sin of the disciples in the upper room was the overwhelming desire for status. The question recurring among them was which of them was greatest and it raised its head afresh on that very evening at the table. Rather than grab a sword or a scepter in His hand, Jesus grabbed a towel, the symbol of love humbling itself for service to others.
Today this is our own personal sin, not drunkenness, lust, or hate, but the all pervasive and incessant concern about status. It is one of the most subtle forms of temptation and is an ever-present wall to our growth in grace as individuals and to our growth in fellowship as brethren. We are least aware of the pride and desire for place which are exemplified among those who lack status and do not seem to desire it. But it shows up in their jealous judgments and carping criticism of others. It has an air of self-effacement and humility. But its concern with the concern of others for place stems from its own concern for place. Why were the disciples so worked up with indignation at the sons of Zebedee, whose mother pushed them forward? They would like to have had that same place for themselves, but they thought the Sons of Thunder had already taken it. Too often our own lack of assertiveness is not the fruit of lowliness and simplicity but is due to lack of enterprise and courage. The true antithesis of the proud Pharisee is the truly humble publican who is so burdened with his own sin that he is not bothered by the pride of others. All of these forms of pride are preventatives to growth in grace and to fellowship. Thus Jesus gave us an example that we should do to one another as He had done to His disciples when He washed their feet.
Next time I will continue to quote from a Brethren .org booklet written by William M. Beahm and address the fellowship meal. My intent here is to reveal to many people some of the doctrines of the Church of the Brethren so that there will be less misunderstanding.
~Eric
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Name: E J Rajaniemi
