It is a searching question you put to us, testing whether we have observed these two commands as tokens of humble love and holy fellowship. Yet let us be careful not to make the outward act a ground of boasting, nor to fall into a mere ceremonial observance while the heart remains unpurified. The Lord whose feet were washed with tears and whose cheek was smitten gave us an example, not of slavish ritual, but of condescending love and constant cleansing. The foot-washing was the sign of His own love, who having loved His own which were in the world, loved them unto the end. In that enacted sermon, He showed us our continual need to be washed by Him from the defilement of our daily walk. He still washes His people’s feet through His Word, by the Spirit, in patient forbearance with our poor prayers and imperfect service. Do we welcome that daily purification, or do we draw back like Peter, refusing to submit to the humble, often humbling, work of grace?
As to the holy kiss, it was an appointed custom of salutation, breathing the sweetness of pure affection among the saints. But the essence of the command was not in the act alone; it was in the spirit of sincere, holy, and chaste love. Even then, the world might offer a feigned kiss of betrayal, but among the brethren it was to be a real token of unity in Christ. Today, in colder climes and altered manners, the form may change, but the command to greet one another with warm, heartfelt, and pure affection remains. Does our fellowship bear the fragrance of that holy love? Do we draw near to each other with hearts washed in the blood of the Lamb, so that our very greeting is an expression of the communion of saints?
Yet mark well: obedience is the highest practical courage, and the exactness of it is its very essence. It will not do to choose the command that suits our temperament and neglect the other. He who said, “Wash one another’s feet,” also inspired the admonition to greet with a holy kiss. The same Lord who laid aside His garments to take the towel also took little children in His arms and blessed them, He is one Christ, and His commands are not divided. It is a poor faith that picks among its Master’s precepts, keeping one and casting another aside. The true believer asks, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” and makes no terms. To obey promptly, from the heart, without twisting to right or left, this is the path of blessing.
But let obedience spring from faith, or it is dead. Faith alone works by love, and love delights to stoop and serve, to embrace and encourage. The washing of feet is not a meritorious work, nor is the holy kiss a charm; they are the love-gifts of a soul already washed in the blood of Jesus. If you have not first come to Christ for the great washing of regeneration, these outward things profit nothing. But if you are His, then every command is precious, and you will seek to know and do all His will. Search the Scriptures with a heart that cries, “Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God.” Fear not to be too precise; the world may call it scrupulosity, but the Lord calls it faithfulness.
In the body of Christ, let there be no schism. As the foot-washing speaks of humble service to the least member, and the holy kiss of equal affection to the comeliest, so let us care for one another without partiality. The feet may need cleansing after their dusty pilgrimage, and the cheek may need the warmth of a brotherly greeting in a cold world. Both are ministrations of love, and both are to be done in the Spirit of Him who is the Head. Do not idolize the letter while neglecting the spirit; yet do not spiritualize away the command so that you never stoop to the literal service of the saints. Let your feet move swiftly to wash a brother’s feet by any lowly act of kindness, and let your lips be ready with a pure and holy word of greeting that is a balm to the weary.
May the Holy Spirit make these things plain to you, not as precepts only, but as privileges. The Lord Jesus still girds Himself to serve us, and He works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Go then, and as you have opportunity, obey all that He has commanded, and in so doing you shall find great reward, even the sweet sense of His own presence, meeting you in the way of obedience.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
