Selfless or Selfish?

The setting for the Upper Room Discourse

John 13:1–3 NIV

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. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

Jesus knew His time had come. This is not only the biggest moment of His life, but the most pivotable moment in history.

He loved those He would be leaving. Separation from those we love is always emotional and difficult

He knew one of His disciples would betray Him. One of His own would sell Him to His enemies.

Jesus had everything in His power. Jesus knew He was the Son of God and had all the power of deity.

He knew His origin and His destiny. He knew that this moment was why He had come.

Jesus demonstrates His selflessness

Jesus takes the place of the lowest servant and washes the disciple’s feet.

John 13:4–5 NIV

so he 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.

Jesus’ explains His actions

John 13:12–15 NIV

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. “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’ status is not a reason for Him to consider Himself better than others

We are to display the same humility as our Lord

We too, are to place the needs of others above our own

Philippians 2:3–4 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

The selfish betrayal by Judas

John 13:21–27 NIV

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

Judas exemplified the opposite of Jesus’ actions

Judas was probably motivated in part by disillusionment with Jesus’ failure to meet his expectations

Matthew adds that Judas was motivated by personal greed

Matthew 26:14–16 NIV

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Judas had been characterized by greed before

John 12:3–6 NIV

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Jesus’ final command to His disciples is to love one another

John 13:34–35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”