Wednesday, April 11, 2001
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Wednesday, April 11, 2001 |
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Humble tradition has fallen into disrespect, pastor says The Pope, at one end of the religious spectrum, does it. On the other end, Free Will Baptists also do it. However, the "washing of feet" as a spiritual observance has fallen in disrespect in recent decades, especially among mainline Protestant circles, according to Dr. John Hatcher, pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. "The Gospel writer John's account of the life of Jesus clearly depicts Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on the night he was betrayed by Judas as an act of humility, demonstrating the Christian's servant nature," Hatcher said. "In fact," Hatcher added, "The Apostle John quoted Jesus as saying, 'If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet' (John 13:14). Perhaps our culture's supposed sophistication implies such a practice may be too provincial, yet it dramatizes as nothing else the humility for one another as required by Jesus." Dr. Hatcher and the River's Edge Church invite the community to their Maundy Thursday service, Thursday, April 12, at 7 p.m. In addition to the solemn washing of feet (which will strictly be on a voluntary basis, Hatcher says), Holy Communion will be served to all believers regardless of the their denominational affiliation. River's Edge Community Church is at 1091 South Jeff Davis Drive, Fayetteville. For more information, call 770 719-0303 or 770 7219-2529. |
