Chapter 13 will carry us through chapter 17, which covers a period of approximately 24-36 hrs. So, this is the beginning of the night that Jesus will be betrayed. But this is such an important period. Why? Because John devotes almost one-quarter of his gospel to it. Here, with the exception of the cross, is the most supreme act of humility–where we are exposed to the very heart of Jesus.
14-My Father’s House 15-Vine and Branches 16-Holy Spirit 17-Jesus Prays Matt.26 Mark 14 Luke 22 (feet washing only in John)
John 13:1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (50 years)
Jesus’ public ministry was over. Jesus would soon hang on the cross. This was the beginning of the end, and Jesus used these last precious hours to serve and prepare His disciples.
Notice that the cross is not specifically mentioned in Vs1 but casts a shadow over almost every word. We see the shadow of the cross over His statement, “The hour had come.” We see the shadow of the cross over His statement, “Leave this world.” We also see the shadow of the cross over His statement, “Loved them to the end.” Jesus would only depart this world through the cross.
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. Indeed, Jesus loved His disciples. He led, taught, cared for, and protected them.
Jesus has a love for all people, and then there is a love for His own. It isn’t that Jesus’ love is different, but the dynamic of the love relationship is different. (John 3:16) (AGAPE)
The love of Jesus for His own has a different dynamic because it has a response. After all, His Love is returned by our love. (Philo-Agape-fruit of Spirit)
Telos is the Greek word (end) for “unto completion,” that is, to the completion of their redemption. He loved them to the point that He was willing to complete their redemption, which cost Him His life.
John 13:2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
Eat flesh-drink blood: John 6:70-71 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the twelve, was later to betray him.)
Luke 22:1-3 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.
Judas spent 3 years with Jesus, seeing His teaching and the miracles. It’s possible to be close to Jesus and still not believe who He is. (disciples didn’t know)
John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; (John didn’t understand) Shadow of the cross-There is no one with more authority and power than the person who will do this next act.
One will betray and argue among themselves: Luke 22:24: A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
John 13:4-5 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
So, here we see the Son of God, the King of Kings, the creator of everything, taking on the ultimate role of a servant. He removes his outer garments, wraps a towel around his waist, and begins to wash his disciples’ feet. This task was typically reserved for the lowest of servants. Yet, here is Jesus, here is God, performing this humble act of service.
He doesn’t just wash one or two feet, but all 24 of them. He will wash the feet of those who will abandon Him, doubt Him, deny Him, and even the one who is possessed by the devil and, in just a few hours, would betray Him with a kiss.
He washed Judas’ feet: He knows who Judas is and what he is about to do, Yet He treats Judas with the same love and grace that He extends to everyone else.
****Luke 22:21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
John 13:6-9 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Peter, in his pride, his need for control, and his need to understand flat-out rejects what Jesus wants to do for him. But Jesus says, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Surrender your pride. Surrender your Control. Surrender your Understanding. (Peter did that)
Jesus didn’t wash His disciples’ feet to make them physically clean. He was making a point about spiritual cleanliness. We cannot cleanse ourselves; we need Jesus to cleanse us. Jesus says that we cannot have a relationship with Him unless we allow Him to cleanse us from our sins.
Vs7 “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
John 13:10-11 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. Even though Jesus washed Judas’s feet and cleansed Judas, he was not clean. Why? To be genuinely cleansed by Jesus requires something Judas did not have: FAITH (Accepting the sacrifice on the cross by faith)
John 13:12-17 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Is this about washing feet? NO!! It’s a call to action, a divine mandate that requires us to step out of our comfort zones and into the realm of selfless service.
It’s about recognizing our place in the grand scheme of things, acknowledging and understanding that we are not the center of the universe.
Here is God the Son, our Creator, washing His disciples’ feet. He didn’t do it for show or applause. He did it out of love and to demonstrate to His disciples (you and me) what true humility looks like.
Service in the Kingdom is not an event; it’s lifestyle: It’s not something we do only when it’s convenient or we feel like it.
It’s something we do consistently and intentionally.
It’s recognizing that service is a privilege, not a burden: It’s an opportunity to participate in God’s work, to be His hands and feet in the world.
Mothers request: Matthew 20:26-27 whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus is teaching His disciples a spiritual lesson: To be great in the kingdom of God, they must be willing to serve others. In His kingdom, greatness is not measured by how many serve you but by how many you serve.
Do you understand why Jesus did this?
Vs17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
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