Memory Verse: “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1)
Scripture Reading: John 13:1-30
Introduction:
Though Jesus knew that within a few hours He would be arrested and given an unjust trial, Jesus was concerned more about His disciples than of Himself. “He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). He had taught them during His ministry, but they were apparently not what He wanted them to be, Jesus had more instructions for them, some of which were corrective of certain faults.
It was the custom at that time, during gatherings in private homes for the host to wash the feet of his guests, or see that a servant did so, but in the Upper Room, no host or servant appeared to do that service, and not one of the disciples volunteered to be the servant. Jesus wished to show them that true greatness did not depend upon holding a position, but upon humble and faithful service rendered. He, whom they recognized as Lord and Master, then took a towel and basin of water and began to wash His disciples’ feet. By His example, He was preparing them mentally and spiritually for what He wanted to tell them a little later—great truths He had for them (John 13:3-17).
When Jesus began to wash Peter’s feet, Peter did not want his feet to be washed by his master. When Jesus indicated that he would have no part with Jesus unless He did, Peter submitted and said, “‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you’” (John 13:9-10). “He who is bathed” is referring to baptism. The water is symbolic of the spiritual cleansing through Christ’s shed blood. In baptism, water in itself does nothing for us inwardly, but if we have repented of sin, if we have faith that His blood has cleansed us from sin; then the ordinance of baptism is a glorious demonstration of our living faith in Christ. It is evidence of our confession of Christ, and to refuse to confess Him is to reject Him (1 John 1:9; 1 John 4:15-16; 1 John 5:6).
Before He could continue His instructions, it was necessary to excuse the traitor from their presence. The traitor had already bargained with the chief priests to betray Jesus into their hands so as not to create a tumult among the people (Luke 22:3–6). The chief priests did not ask Judas for aid in apprehending Jesus—he volunteered. Though Judas had been in fellowship with Jesus, he had not mastered the besetting sin of selfishness and unbelief. Regardless of what his thoughts might have been, the role of a traitor and betrayer was foretold. The Scriptures state that this evil act would be done by one who knew Jesus (Psalms 41:9). While washing their feet, Jesus said one of them was not clean; and with a troubled spirit, He revealed that one of them would betray Him (John 13:18-26).
The skillful manner in which Judas was dismissed did not arouse the suspicion of the disciples as to why he left the room (John 13:27-29). Jesus had shown to Judas the same opportunity to know and believe, but Judas, by listening to Satan, became the traitor.
Study Questions:
- Following the institution of the Lord’s Supper, what did Jesus do next? John 13:4-5. In what respect was this act of Jesus different from that of the host’s customary greeting of guests?
- Why did Jesus become the servant to wash His disciples’ feet? John 13:13-17. Did Jesus mean that this one act of humility was to be the only one?
- What did Jesus mean by the word “bathed” as given in John 13:10-11? Note: In John 13:10 the word “bathed” in Greek (louō) can refer to the washing of a dead body, while the word “wash” (niptō) can refer more to a ceremonial washing of the hands or feet. The word “clean” (katharos) translates most often as pure and can refer to physically clean, clean in Levitical sense or ethically pure. How might this relate to Romans 6:3-7 and Hebrews 10:12?
- What deal had Judas already made with the chief priests? Matthew 26:14-16.
- What principal sin may have overcome Judas, causing him to betray Christ? John 6:64, John 12:6. Note: Judas received only 30 pieces of silver, which represented the value of the life of a slave. (See also, Exodus 21:32.)
- What was prophesied about the traitor in Psalms 41:9? How does this relate to what did Jesus says in John 13:18 and Mark 14:49?
- Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray Him, yet He still washed his feet (John 13:11, 26). How might this principle be applied to our daily lives?