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Weekly Message | November 9th, 2008
Passage: John 13:1-17
Key Verse(s): 14
Last Friday we had a wonderful students’ night. The worship service room was filled with students. Considering where we were at even less than a year ago, it is an amazing work of God. I could see godly relationships have been building up among us. I thank God for answering our prayers to raise 24 visible student leaders.
We call John chapters 13-16 "the Upper Room or Farewell Discourse," which consists of instructions, warnings and particularly precious promises. In chapter 13:1-17, Jesus gives an example of how to love one another by washing the disciples' feet. Jesus teaches divine humility and how to realize the love of God through serving others. May God help us to practice Jesus humility and servantship in our daily life.
First, Jesus knew that the time had come (1-3). According to verses 1 through 3, Jesus knew three things. First, He knew that the time had come for Him to leave. Look at verse 1a. "It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father." Jesus knew that the time of His suffering and death on the cross was approaching. But His disciples were not ready. They were too spiritually immature and young to bear the gospel ministry. Jesus was therefore in great anguish. What did Jesus do at this time of great anguish?
Look at verse 1b."Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." In this verse "the full extent" is translated in the R.S.V. as "he loved them to the end." As God loved the people of Israel to the end, so Jesus loved his disciples to the end. Jesus loved them from the beginning to the end. Jesus loved His disciples even though His time of crucifixion was approaching and He was bracing himself for His death on the cross.
Look at verse 2a. "The evening meal was being served..." To Jesus, this was the last supper before His crucifixion. It was the time to teach His disciples the meaning of His precious bloodshed on the cross and the meaning of His bodily death. Yet for the disciples it was simply a joyful occasion, because they could have a formal dinner with their Master. They scarcely even had a regular hot meal. Now they had a whole upper room for themselves and prepared to eat the Passover meal with their Master, Jesus. At this time however, they did not realize the deep meaning of the Last Supper, and that the hour had come for Jesus to die on the cross as the Paschal Lamb.
Second, Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray him. This joyful occasion was interrupted by Satan's attack. Look at verse 2b. "The devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus." As we learned in John 12, Judas' love of money had compromised his ability to see the work of God. In John 13 it is apparent that Judas' impure motives had made him vulnerable to Satan's temptation. Judas probably did not start out intending to betray Jesus, but as he compromised his integrity, he became more open to Satan's attacks. In the end, Judas never accepted the love of God. In the end, he did not give his heart to Jesus. When Judas did not give his heart to Jesus, he could not but betray Jesus to be killed. Although Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, He loved Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, to the end. Here we see the love of Jesus for lost sinners, as He showed Judas the full extent of His love.
Third, Jesus knew that God had put all things under him (3). He knew that He had come from God, and was returning to God. He was fully aware that within a day, He would be arrested, tried, and condemned to death. At the cross, Jesus would suffer and bear the sins of the world. Jesus was conscious that His time to obey God's will had come. The time for Him to be with His disciples was almost over. It was a painful reality for Jesus that He had to leave His disciples behind while they did not fully understand the love of God. But Jesus also knew his relationship with God was unbreakable and God was in control. With that conviction, he faced the harsh reality.
We need to know our own situation, particularly our relationship with God and His will. We also need to have a keen insight of people to know their spiritual condition, in order to help them as Jesus helped His disciples. But the most important thing is to know God and have a sense of God's control. We must accept God's will for our spiritual life, and allow Him to rule in our personal life.
As it did with Jesus, the time comes when we need to show others the full extent of our love. It may be a co-worker in need, a Bible student struggling on the edge, or a friend at work going through difficult times. The windows of such opportunities do not remain open forever. In seizing these moments we practically pioneer a deeper relationship with them and prepare the way for the servantship of Jesus. People may not accept it and see it as we hope, but that should never prevent us from seizing the moment as Jesus did for his disciples.
Second, unless I wash your feet (4-11). While the evening meal was being served, something unexpected happened. Jesus got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 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. Why did Jesus wash His disciples' feet?
First, there was a very practical reason. Without washing their feet, they could not have a good meal. It was customary for a servant to wash the feet of those who came to his master's house before they ate dinner. But no servants were available for them at that time. No one wanted to assume the servant's job. None of the disciples wanted to wash the others' smelly feet. They were too proud to do that. But Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself, took the form of a servant, and began to wash His disciples' feet.
Why did Jesus wash His disciples' smelly feet other than for the practical reasons? It was because Jesus wanted His disciples to have sense of stewardship, take the initiative, and deal with the problem at hand by serving others with the love of God. It was because Jesus wanted to raise His disciples as responsible leaders.
In itself, washing other's feet is not an extraordinary thing to do. Had Jesus not washed the disciples' feet, someone probably would have done it anyway. But who did it is what's important. Jesus, the Lord and teacher washed the disciples' feet. Why did Jesus do it? It is because humility is the basic element of Jesus' love. John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus was almighty God, yet He came to this world in the form of a humble man. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger. He lived His life among the common people, and served them in their weaknesses. In the hour of great personal pain and anguish when He really needed the support of others, Jesus instead focused on what He could do to help others. Jesus washing His disciples' feet shows His ultimate humility and the practical expression of His love.
Look at verse 6. "He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?'" Peter was surprised at Jesus' act. He could not understand why his Master was approaching to wash his feet, which he had not washed last night.
How did Jesus respond? Look at verse 7. "Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.'" Jesus' humility--His washing sinners' feet--has always been a puzzle to selfish human beings, and Peter was one of them. Peter just couldn't accept Jesus washing his feet (8a). Look at verse 8b. "Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.'" This verse is short, but it has deep spiritual meaning. Peter needed to learn the servantship of Jesus Christ our Lord and, as a result, realize the love of God and love God's flock of sheep to the end. Humility is the foundation for the realization of divine love. So proud people, even if they claim to be Christians, are no more than the modern Pharisees, because they have never truly experienced the humility of Jesus. Unless we understand the humility of Jesus, we can never experience the love of God.
Spiritually speaking, washing feet is to bear one's weaknesses. Jesus came to this world not to just wash Peter's feet, but to bear all his weaknesses and sins. Jesus came to bear all the weaknesses and sins of the world. Jesus' love allowed him to make the ultimate sacrifice, and give His life on the cross. The cross of Jesus would reveal the great spiritual meaning of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. In time, Peter had to accept Jesus' grace of washing his feet. He had to realize that he had been loved and served by Jesus. Understanding Jesus' love and servantship opens a person's spiritual eyes to see how terrible a sinner he is. Jesus' love opens one's spiritual eyes to see the love of God through his Son Jesus. Also, Jesus' love and servant's heart would create a bond of love between Jesus and Peter. Otherwise, Peter could have no part with Jesus. This applies to each of us also. When Peter heard he would have no part with Jesus, he was frustrated, thinking that his love relationship would be broken. So he said, "Then, Lord, wash everything" (9).
What was Peter's problem? All other disciples accepted Jesus washing their feet. Peter alone refused it. Why? First, Peter loved Jesus so much. He had great respect for his master. He could not have his Lord wash his smelly feet. Second, he was proud. He thought he was different. All the other disciples can have Jesus wash their feet but I cannot let Jesus do this for me. I am special. Peter's pride resulted in the lack of a learning mind and respect for others. How did Jesus help Peter in this matter? First, he pointed out Peter's spiritual ignorance. But also he planted hope that someday Peter would understand. Second, Jesus dealt with Peter's defiant and proud spirit. Jesus said, "unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Jesus loved Peter. Jesus knew that the best way to help Peter was to tell him the truth plainly.
Here we see the absolute need for Jesus to daily wash the dirty feet of our sins and shortcomings. This is what it means to be Jesus’ disciple. This is the humble service holy God makes available to us. We must put out our dirty feet for Jesus to wash. This is painful and humiliating to expose the unclean and smelly elements of our life. But, in response to our humility, Jesus humbles himself even more and personally washes our feet to make us clean.
Third, you will be blessed (12-17). Look at verse 12. "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." Jesus knew that His disciples did not understand His teaching about humility, love and serving others with God's love. So Jesus explained to them how to love one another.
Look at verses 13-15. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Jesus told them this so that they might follow His example.
Still His disciples did not understand Jesus' teaching. At that time, it was the custom for despised servants or sold slaves to serve their masters. Jesus' disciples, who wanted to be great men of God in their generation by virtue of Jesus' kingship, could not accept His teaching of divine love. Therefore Jesus told them again. Look at verse 15. "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Here Jesus charges them to follow His example. Jesus wanted them to follow His example in serving all kinds of sinners, as He had done in His Messianic ministry. Jesus really wanted them to serve people like the Samaritan women, to help them experience the love of God. Jesus wanted them to serve the lepers so they could be healed spiritually, experience the love of God, and be saved.
Serving others with the love of God is possible when one is sanctified by the truth. In other words, we can serve others with the love of God when we are spiritually mature. We can serve others with the love of God when we are transformed by the love of God. St. John wrote this chapter after he had been transformed by Jesus' love from a man who had been politically ambitious to a person who sought the glory of God. Therefore, we must grow in the love of Jesus and become like spiritual mothers and fathers so that we can help the needy.
Look at verse 16. "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." This means that no matter how spiritually mature or great we become, we are never above the acts of the humblest servant who washes other’s feet. In fact, this is the key ingredient to such maturity.
Jesus is our Lord and teacher. He is in charge of our life. He is the creator and savior. Apostle Paul once said that everything we have belongs to Jesus. We must have the attitude of servants. As servants of God, we will be honored and rejected. We will receive glory and suffering. So we also should wash one another's feet. This is a new command. We should obey Jesus' command not out of sense of duty but out of willingness and joyful heart, as a reflection of our love for God.
What does washing one another's feet mean practically for our ministry? As Jesus approached his death on the cross, He showed His disciples the full extent of His love -- not by telling them that He loved them, but by showing them in a very practical way. Jesus prepared His disciples to understand His death on the cross by serving them. We can wash one other’s feet by establishing love and trust relationship with each other based on humility and love of Jesus. It is O.K. for us not to wash other's feet, but if we do, we will be blessed.
To wash another person’s feet is first to accept them into our heart as one whom God sent into our life, whether it be a new Bible student or co-worker. It is to embrace and welcome them without complaint or reservation. It is to see their great potential beyond their sins and shortcomings—and help them to realize their full potential, even at my own personal cost. I cannot judge and makes demands based on my expectations but patiently love and hold onto God’s hope and vision for their life. Practically, it is about having meaningful fellowship together and working together to do the work of God. In these shared experiences we wash one another’s feet. We can pioneer a new paradigm to our relationships were Christ’s humility and power abound. We bear each other’s weaknesses and form a vessel of truly open communication and trust.
When S. Jason and Greg were young, single brothers, M. Joan served them, other brothers, me and our fellowship for Sunday lunch for almost 2 years. Personally, I spent time teaching Greg the Bible, listening to him, and trying to understand who he was and God’s hope for his life. I had to keep humbling myself to really serve and meet his needs. He was a very difficult and stubborn sheep. In critical times, I thought and prayed for several hours each day. I struggled with him and for him and ultimately for the work of Jesus Christ in his life.
These days we can see other great examples of how we are washing one another’s feet. S. Jeremy spends many hours praying, teaching, and talking with his Bible students. He has an earnest desire to learn Jesus and how to wash one another’s feet. Different fellowships join together in prayer and Bible study on a weekly basis to love and support each other. This builds up greater trust and co-working among us. At Student Nights, we all pray and make an environment where students can come and experience the humility and power of Christ through testimony sharing and fellowship. God may keep helping us to follow Jesus’ example and deepen our commitment to washing one another’s feet.
The blessed life is to know the mind and heart of Jesus. As we serve each other, we show the mind and heart of Jesus in our own life, and we win the mind and hearts of other's for Christ. Ultimately, we live a fruitful and joyful life.
November 9, 2008 Peter Park, Toledo, Ohio
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
