For I have given you an example
Christ is an example to his people, in many things; not in his
miraculous performances and mediatorial work, but in the exercise
of grace, of meekness, humility, love, patience, and the like;
and in the discharge of duty, in submission to ordinances, and in
attending on them; and in the several duties, both to them that
are without, and to them that are within; and also in his
sufferings and death; not that he died merely as an example, but
likewise in the room and stead of his people; but here he is
spoken of, as an example, in a particular instance:
that ye should do as I have done to you;
wash one another's feet, as he had washed theirs; which is not to
be understood literally and singly of this action, as though this
was an ordinance binding upon all persons, in all places, and to
be attended to at certain stated times, as has been the practice
of some: it was so understood by the church at Milain, and there
practised; and this custom was continued and defended by St.
Ambrose, even though not received by the church of Rome; in some
places the bishop used to wash the feet of those that were
baptized, which in process of time being thought sufficient,
instead of baptism, was forbidden by the council at Eliberis. In
imitation of this, the pope every year, on Thursday in the
passion week, washes the feet of twelve men; and it is an
anniversary ceremony performed by the kings of England and
France, to wash the feet of twelve poor people, in commemoration
of this action of Christ's: but our Lord is not to be understood
literally, nor of anything that was to be done once a year, but
of what was daily and constantly to be practised; and which was
to be done not by one only, to all the rest, but what they were
mutually to do; what they were to do to one another; for the
thing signified, reaches to, and is obligatory upon all
Christians. Our Lord's meaning is, that as he had, by this
action, given them an example of humility, condescension, and
love; so they should exercise these graces, and perform such kind
offices to one another, and to all their fellow Christians.