Sermon Tone Analysis

John 13:1-20

We continue our look at the passages in John that contain the Verily, Verily statements from Jesus.

Today we want to look here at John 13:1-20.

In this passage, we find the disciples with Jesus in the upper room having just finished the Last Supper.

Jesus, you can sense by the language is heart sick.

1 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.

He has walked, served, taught, loved, invested in, and provided for these twelve men that are with him.

Supper has ended, and the devil had already tempted Judas Iscariot to betray him.

Now in verse three the Bible says:

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Verse 1 framed this passage in Jesus’ love he felt for these men, verse 3 frames this passage with the proof of His faith and obedience to the Father.

Jesus knows His time is short and He uses every possible moment to teach His disciples some important truths.

from this moment until He is arrested (John 13-17) He teaches them.

So in verse 4 He gets up lays aside His outer garment, and wraps a towel around his waste to be used to do the work that He is about to do.

He pours some water into a wash bason, and He begins to wash the disciples feet and wipe them with the towel that He is wearing.

It is easy to go past this information without really considering it.

Many of us have heard this story ever since we were little in Sunday School.

But in this day and in this culture, it was shocking and unheard of for a Master, a teacher to bow down before his subordinates and do a gross task like washing someones feet.

I don’t like feet, I think they are gross…If someone touches me with their feet, especially bear feet I almost gag.

It’s bad enough to think of touching them with my hands, but when you think of this in the context of this ancient world…a world where people walked in open sandals through dirty, dusty, manure covered roads, it is a different job all together.

I stepped in some dog stuff the other day and thought I was going to lose it all before I could get it off my shoe.

It is no wonder that this was a job for a servant of the lowest order.

But Jesus begins to wash each of the disciples feet.

When he comes to Simon Peter, Peter says, “Lord you’re washing my feet?”

I’m sure Peter isn’t the first one to think this, but as usual Peter is the first one to speak out.

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Jesus says, “I know you don’t understand right now, but you will.”

To this I can almost see Peter pull his foot away from Jesus and tuck it under him as he says, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.”

“Lord I don’t want this!

I don’t want to be a part of humiliating you.”

The Greek phrase he uses is quite strong.

It would be similar to saying, “Now way…not ever!”

There have been times when I have gone to wash dishes here at the church after a potluck, or take out trash, that someone has stopped me and taken over for me and said, “You don’t need to be doing that!”

I know what they are saying, and I appreciate it more than I can tell you!

They are saying, “We love you and don’t want you to have to do that, Let me take care of that for you.”

I don't stop them from taking over, but I do usually say something to the effect of, “Well, I am called to be a servant.”

But Jesus here has a very direct and different purpose.

He is leaving and has a very short time to teach them something.

So Jesus tells Peter, “If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me.”

Jesus gives an equally strong response to Peter’s strong words.

In essence Jesus is saying, “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.

This is for a purpose.

Now give me your foot.”

So Peter responds,

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Peter seems to be getting the idea that this foot washing has a spiritual meaning.

He wants as much as possible, if that is the case.

But still, Peter is responding with what he wants, rather than what Jesus wants.

Jesus responds with a something that will distinguish between those who are “bathed” and only need to be wsahed.

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

As Jesus and Peter have gone back and forth they have used the Greek root word níptō.

Here when Jesus says, He that is washed…the word washed is the word loúō.

The difference between the two is very similar to the difference between the English words “wash” and “bathe.”

One implies a spot-cleaning action, the other an all-over deep clean.

Then in verse 11 we are told

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

Jesus was very aware that Judas would betray him.

He was very aware that Judas was not bathed clean.

Taking verses 8-11 together and studying it carefully gives us a very clear understanding of Eternal Security.

Those who are once-for-all washed need not be entirely cleansed again.

There is no need to be re-saved.

But they do need to wash daily, confess for spiritual cleansing.

So, Jesus now having finished washing their feet takes the towel off and puts his outer garment back on.

He sits down, looks at them and says, “Know ye what I have done to you?”

He is about to make the real point -the point of eternal security was a side point…a rabbit trail that Peter took Jesus on.

But the main thing Jesus wants to teach his disciples is coming:

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

He says, If I am your Lord and Master - I…who had no business doing this demeaning job (in the cultures eyes) humbled myself and washed your feet.

You need to wash one another’s feet.

I’m the example - follow it!

If the Master is willing to serve…we are obligated to serve one another.

Jesus is not removing his role as Master, in fact He is emphasizing it here.

And yet, He is willing to serve.

If the Master performs a task, His servants don’t get to dismiss that same task as “beneath them.”

No follower of Jesus has a right to turn up their nose to any task and think, “that’s beneath me.”

I don’t care what your status in life, or your title, or your role, or your reputation, none of us have the right to turn up their nose at sacrificial service.

When you do, you are saying that you are too good to be like our Lord.

Now we come to the first Verily, Verily statement of Jesus in this passage.

This was all the introduction to the message today, but don’t worry…I am aware of the time.

But Jesus is saying in verses 16-17,

I. Serve As Jesus Serves

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

If Jesus was willing to serve, we must be willing to serve each other.

This the very foundation of being His disciple.

we need to serve as Jesus served.

So we see first of all,

A.

Not Too Good to Serve

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

You are not greater than Jesus!

You are not greater than the one who sent you!

There are far too many Christians who think they are too good to do some of the menial things in the church.

I praise God that this is not true in this church, but I have seen many people get lifted up in pride because they are asked to be a deacon, or Sunday School teacher, or whatever.

They begin to think, I can’t do that…I’m a deacon.

When the word deacon means servant!

The deacons are supposed to be the leadership in serving!

They are to be the example for people to follow in how to serve the church.