Last time we learned that Jesus was anointed with oil by Mary, made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and predicted His death. Many still continued in their unbelief fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy proving Jesus is the Messiah.
John 13:1-17 – Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him and He wanted to prepare His disciples for His death and resurrection. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” – John 13:1b. He wanted them to know His love for them would never end. He loves us the same way. He came to earth and died for us because of His love. Now, nothing can separate us from His love.
‘Having loved his own’ refers to His disciples, but doesn’t mean that He only loved His disciples, because Jesus loves all people. But loving His followers is a different love. The love of Jesus for His own is greater because of the response – love answers with love. All followers (the church) are really His own. He chose them, gave Himself to them, they yielded themselves to Him, and He purchased them with His life.
Are you one of His own?
The devil had already put into Judas’ heart the thought of betraying Jesus. Yes, Satan can put thoughts into your head. He can put thoughts of jealousy, greed, power, and the like. But we have a choice just as Judas had a choice. He could have said, “No. I will not betray Jesus.” He could have asked God to help him not to submit to such evil thoughts. But we know this was not God’s plan.
It was just before Passover and Jesus knew His time had come to leave this world. He was going to prove how much He loved people. Jesus already knew the devil had prompted Judas to betray Him, but He knew God had put all things under His power and that He would be returning to God. Jesus also knew that Peter would deny Him and all the disciples would desert Him.
Jesus wanted to teach His disciples about humility by showing them how to be humble. So as He and the disciples were finishing their evening meal, Jesus began washing the disciples’ feet. This surprised the disciples. Peter didn’t understand and asked why Jesus was doing this. I am pretty sure they were all shocked and Peter said what the others were thinking, but were afraid to say. Jesus told him that he didn’t realize exactly what He was doing, but would later understand. Peter said, “No, you shall never wash my feet.” – John 13:8a. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” – John 13:8b. Then Peter told Jesus to wash not only his feet, but his hands and head as well. Jesus said a person who has had a bath need only to wash his feet and you are clean though one of you is not. The unclean one He was talking about was Judas.
Jesus told them He had set the example and they were now to wash one another’s feet. He was showing them how to behave. “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:15-17.
The picture of needing to have their dirty feet washed shows the need of cleansing from sin. We all have dirty feet and need Jesus to wash them. Washing someone’s feet shows humility. This chore was the job of the lowest servant in a household. Jesus took this lowly place as a servant. He wants us to serve each other. We are to be humble and not proud of our service.
If we want to belong to Jesus, we must let Him take away our sins. Sin makes us dirty inside, but His blood removes that sin. Only His blood can make us clean. We Christians still sin, because we are only human and certainly not perfect. We need ongoing cleansing, because we walk in a sinful world and our feet get dirty. We need Jesus to wash our dirty feet and remove sin. So we should say we are sorry for our sins and ask for forgiveness daily.
We all are guilty sinners in need of cleansing. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Rom. 3:23.
Where is there pride in your life?
What does is really mean to wash one another’s feet? You don’t have to literally wash someone’s feet. It’s a ministry of forgiveness. It’s being kind to one another, forgiving each other just as Jesus has forgiven you. It’s a ministry of humble service. It’s doing unpleasant tasks that serve others in their area of need. We wash one another’s feet by being in close relationship with others, getting involved and sharing in their struggles. When we share God’s encouraging Word, we are washing off the dirty world. The Word can refresh and give hope in troubled times. When you humbly serve Christ, you will be blessed. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – John 13:17.
Lessons in Jesus’ feet washings:
Principle: Humility requires thinking of others more highly than or yourself.
John 13:18-30 – Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
Jesus told the disciples that one of them was going to betray Him. In John 13:18b He used words from Ps. 41:9 – “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” This fulfilled Scripture.
Betrayal means an act of deliberate disloyalty. It means to mislead and deceive. It is a violation of a person’s trust or confidence.
The disciples looked at one another in wonder of who He meant. John, the one Jesus loved asked Jesus if it was him. Jesus said, “It is the one whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” – John 13:26. Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas. When He did this, Satan entered Judas. Jesus told Judas whatever you are going to do, do it quickly. Judas took the bread and left.
Judas left quickly because he had been discovered. Maybe he felt guilty and embarrassed. He realized that Jesus still loved him. He had shut his heart against Jesus and opened it to the devil.
Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God and he wanted to kill Him. He thought he could stop God’s plan, but of course he could not. Judas’ betrayal troubled Jesus. He loved Judas and was troubled for Judas’ sake just as He is for all sinners.
Judas heard Jesus preach and teach. He saw His miracles. He saw Jesus heal the sick and raise the dead. It was money and greed that clouded Judas’s judgment. His heart became hardened. The devil put in his heart to betray Jesus and Judas gave in. Later Judas felt remorse, but did not repent. He threw away his betrayal money and hanged himself.
How and when have you betrayed Jesus?
There are several lessons from Judas’ sin. We learn that wicked actions can still accomplish God’s purposes. We also learn we need more than a good example to be saved. Judas had the best example, but still was dead in his sins. Judas’s sin is one of many warnings that apply to religious people. Some are like Judas and have never repent of their sins. They are prideful and self-righteous. There are hypocrites among the followers of Jesus, but they can never fool God. Judas looked like a Christian, but he had inner motives. He may have become a follower because he thought Jesus would set up a political kingdom and he could be in line for a once in a lifetime job. We all like positions of authority. Let Judas teach you there is a bitter end to those who walk away from Jesus.
We can learn a lot about Jesus from the way He interacted with Judas. First of all He had wisdom in choosing a man like Judas to be a disciple. We see Jesus’ sovereign control over all the event surrounding His death. He was even in control of Judas when he betrayed Him. We see His humanity by being deeply troubled for Judas. We see His patience and love toward Judas right to the end.
Principle: Satan thought he could stop God’s plan, but of course he could not.
Next week we will finish our study of John 13. Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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