John 13:1-20
John 13:1
[13] 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.
Jesus had reached the inevitable TIME.
Review:
John 2:4 Changing water to wine. Response to his mothers comment.
My hour has not yet come.
John 8: 56 - 59 Jesus's reference to knowing Abraham. He slipped away.
John 10: 38 & 39 Jesus's claim of being God. He escaped their grasp.
Jesus had lived his life in anticipation of this hour. He knew, as we have reviewed, when his hour HAD NOT COME and now he knows it HAS COME.
John 13:2-5
[2] The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. [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; [4] 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.
During the meal! No warning!
Imagine the surprise. The shock.
Why now?
Verse 3 again.
This is his last meal with the disciples. It is an intimate, personal setting.
He wants to make a bold statement.
This is the duty / job of a lowly servant.
Jesus filled the basin. Jesus begins washing the disciples feet. Jesus wipes their feet dry.
This is a perfect example of how it is Jesus, and Jesus alone, that can wash our sins away, (water / blood) and also remove the evidence of our sin (dirty water) with his (towel / sacrifice)
Believing in Jesus makes us CLEAN. God's child.
Washing / bathing happens at our commitment to Jesus.
Washing the feet is an example of our commitment to others. (World)
Question: Did Jesus wash Judas' feet?
Read verses 18 thru 30.
Jesus was (troubled) by this betrayal.
No one but Jesus and Judas knew what was to happen.
This is a disciple! A friend. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
Judas knew he had been exposed as a fraud. Verse 27. Follower in name only.
Judas was the treasure of the disciples funds. (Love of money???)
He ate the bread but didnt stick around to fellowship.
Even the rest of the disciples didn't pick up on the deception of Judas.
And it was night! Darkness, evil, hidden, deceptive.
Read verses 31 thru 38
Note: Jesus is glorified when our sins are forgiven. Unforgiven sin can not be part of Christ.
God has no part of sin. God will not look on sin.
Only Jesus will allow his Father / God to look at us as sinless.
Jesus's command to his disciples (believers) is:
John 13:34-35
[34] A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another .
This just isn't possible outside of Christ!
Peter sets the stage for Jesus to give the reason he leaves us here after we accept Him. We are to be Jesus to the world!
Something else that Jesus emphasizes is that he is the only one laying down his physical LIFE for the forgiveness of sins. Only he can accomplish this.
But, his example of sacrifice is what he expects from us.
We can have good intentions, but only living a sacrificial life will please Him.
Thoughts
1. How can I help?
2. What can I do for you?
3. Can you use some financial assistance.
4. May I take care of that for you?
5. Are you you o.k?
6. Would you like a friend?
7. I'm going to pray for you.