John 13
John 13 Focus: Jesus is God’s HUMBLE Servant who even washes the physically dirty feet of His spiritually dirty disciples on His way to die for sinners (like them--and US!) at Calvary.
JOHN 13: Insights, Highlights and Points to Ponder:
IMPORTANT: John 13 marks a big transition in John’s Gospel as it begins the events of Holy Week (recorded in John 13-19).
NOTE: John 13-17 ALL happens in the Upper Room with Jesus and His disciples.
Did you know? Scripture Records Christ’s Words @ Holy Communion FOUR (4) times! Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22--and Paul in I Corinthians 11--all record Christ’s Words of Institution for Holy Communion; John does NOT. Nevertheless, John does provide many more details and sayings of Jesus which happened in the Upper Room during their final Passover and first Holy Communion together that are not recorded by the other Gospels.
INTERESTING: While the content in the 4 Gospels often overlaps, they also each offer unique information about the life and ministry of Jesus. Here are just a FEW examples:
Matthew is the only Gospel who records the story of the Magi (Wise Men) and Herod.
Mark is the shortest Gospel and is known for his brevity, fast-paced action, and repeated use of the word “immediately.”
Luke is known for his detailed Nativity narratives. Luke records (by far and away) the most material about the events which happened before, during, and after the BIRTH of Christ. As an educated Physician, Luke also uses the most complex vocabulary and grammar compared to the other Gospels.
John is the Gospel which records the MOST details of the events of Holy Week and Christ’s Passion.
As We read John 13, I refer you to Philippians 2, which provides a powerful profession of faith and complementary commentary about the humanity and Divinity of Jesus and the humiliation and exultation of Jesus. Want to be inspired?! Read Philippians 2:5-11. Look it up easily at: www.Biblegateway.com
We now read: John 13 (interspersed with commentary and insights)
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
NOTE: This example of humble servanthood by Jesus provides us with a pattern of humility to imitate in our lives as we live in Christ’s mercy and love serving our neighbor (one another). Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
NOTE: Once again in verse 20 Jesus stresses His Divinity and unity with the Father.
One of You Will Betray Me
NOTE: Jesus makes an emotional prediction Judas will betray Him.
As we continue, John tells us Jesus is “troubled in His spirit…” (13:21). Compare this with what Jesus said back in John 12:27a, “Now is my soul troubled.” Ponder anew the depth of Christ’s sacrificial love for us! As a Lenten hymn puts it: “Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Where you there when they crucified my Lord?” (LSB #456).
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
A New Commandment
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We REFLECT: LOVED by Jesus, we now LOVE one another. It’s that simple.
We ASK: With whom and how can I share Christ’s love today?
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
We Reflect: ZING! Oh Peter! Jesus predicts Peter’s bold bravado will soon turn into a cowardly TRIPLE denial of Jesus. When the rooster crows: “Cocka-doodle-doo Xs 3!” ZING!
Harsh LAW: So Let’s ASK: When do I treat Jesus like Peter and deny Jesus in my life? ZING! (again)
Sweet GOSPEL: “Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me.”
We daily repent of any and all our personal hypocrisy, unfaithfulness, and ALL of our sins. Over and over again our Savior responds to repentant sinners like Peter (and us)--by loving us, forgiving us, restoring us!
One verse in the Lenten hymn “Ah, Dearest Jesus” describes the sacrificial love Jesus has for us:
How strange is this great paradox to ponder? The Shepherd dies for sheep who love to wander!
+ Having Pondered John 13, We Pray:
Dear Jesus, thank You for washing the dirty feet of Your disciples as a humble Servant. I also thank You, MY humble Servant and My Savior, for washing away the spiritual filth all MY sins! I especially thank You that even when I am a lukewarm disciple or deny you or am unfaithful to You in my life, You remain faithful and forgiving to me. Yes, I thank You, thank You, thank You, Jesus. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Scott Schmieding
