House Church Talk - inclination toward ceremonial

[DanG]

David Anderson wrote:
> John 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye
> also ought to wash one another¹s feet.
> 
> Was our Lord telling us to do menial tasks for one another or was this
> the institution of the "ceremony of foot washing?" What in modern
> society, with it's dirt and mud-free roadways, might be the equivalent of
> foot-washing?
> 
>     David Anderson

David - is there wriggle room for other alternatives?

I kinda wonder if this is more of a clear indication of God's way
among men - which ultimately was more clearly established in Jesus'
death, burial, resurrection, ascension into heaven.

I agree, menial tasks are not to be shunned - we all must do them,
even today.  While we shun them, we need to be cognizant that there
are tasks that we need to be willing and able to accomplish. 
Essentially these are tasks that demand of us what we do not
necessarily want to do for each other.  "Busy" is the byword for most
folk today.  Too busy to sit at home and enjoy the countryside where
God has placed us - "busy" doing shopping or other entertainment.  I
like shopping as much as anyone, but methinks most shopping is
fundamentally acquisition of cheep stuff nobody needs.  Needs are
shopping trips that happen quick.  Entertainment is seemingly rampant
in this kulture.  So, I say "busy" is a misnomer in reality.

We all can find time for what our indivicual hedonistic proclivity
desires, but to help or visit a brother is the giving it seems is
pertinent in this picture you point at.  Who is more apt/capable to
wash feet - Jesus or Mat thew?  And then, who is more capable of
accomplishing that which must be accomplished against sin?  No amount
of work or effort can get us out of the end of sin in life - but
Jesus' work does this for us - absotively amazing!!!!

I like the Bible because it is ultimately very practical and
realistic.  Sin is comprehensible and then grace is just so totally
opposite - it just blows my mind!!!  Love - the work that accopmlishes
the work of grace as we see the life of Jesus - absolutely
incomprehensible and amazing!!!  Haven't you disappointed yourself and
the law written on your heart by the grace of God's work in your life
- today?  These are things that preclude us from ever touching the
threshold of heaven, yet we have access because he was made sin for
us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in
Him.  WOW!!!

Okay, I'm rambling....
DanG ChicagoArea