Humility and Heart pt. 1 (JOHN 13)

Getting Started

From the Commentary

Jesus had entered Jerusalem on Sunday and on Monday had cleansed the temple. Tuesday was a day of conflict as the religious leaders sought to trip Him up and get evidence to arrest Him. These events are recorded in Matthew 21–25. Wednesday was probably a day of rest, but on Thursday He met in the upper room with His disciples in order to observe Passover.

The emphasis in John 13:1–3 is on what our Lord knew,and in John 13:4–5 on what our Lord did. Jesus knew that “his hour was come.” More than any of the gospel writers, John emphasized the fact that Jesus lived on a “heavenly timetable” as He did the Father’s will. Note the development of this theme:

2:4—“Mine hour is not yet come.”

7:30—“His hour was not yet come.”

8:20—“His hour was not yet come.”

12:23—“The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.”

13:1—“Jesus knew that his hour was come.”

17:1—“Father, the hour is come.”

1. Review the passages listed above. What does this “heavenly timetable” tell us about God? About Jesus’ closeness with His Father? About the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ purpose?

Going Deeper

From the Commentary

The Father had put all things into the Son’s hands, yet Jesus picked up a towel and a basin! His humility was not born of poverty, but of riches. He was rich, yet He became poor (2 Cor. 8:9). A Malay proverb says, “The fuller the ear is of rice-grain, the lower it bends.”

It is remarkable how the gospel of John reveals the humility of our Lord even while magnifying His deity: “The Son can do nothing of himself” (John 5:19, 30). “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will” (John 6:38). “My doctrine is not mine” (John 7:16). “And I seek not mine own glory” (John 8:50). “The word which ye hear is not mine” (John 14:24). His ultimate expression of humility was His death on the cross.

2. Why was it important at this point in Jesus’ story to express humility to the disciples? What was the disciples’ response? What is the meaning behind Jesus’ statement in John 13:16 that “no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him”?

From the Commentary

Peter did not understand what his Lord was doing, but instead of waiting for an explanation, he impulsively tried to tell the Lord what to do. There is a strong double negative in John 13:8. The Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest translated Peter’s statement, “You shall by no means wash my feet, no, never” (WUEST). Peter really meant it! Then when he discovered that to refuse the Lord would mean to lose the Lord’s fellowship, he went in the opposite direction and asked for a complete bath!

3. What is the positive result of Peter’s impulsive behavior in John 13:6–11? What is the negative result? How did Peter adjust his response after Jesus spoke (v. 8–9)? What can Peter’s behavior teach us about responding to the things God asks of us?

From Today’s World

Servant leadership has become a popular form of leadership in recent years. Whereas in the past many businesses preferred a management model that elevated leaders above the rest of the employees, some of the more successful businesses in the current economy are led by men and women who practice servanthood in one form or another. This is especially true of companies that place a high value on customer service and customer interaction.

4. What are the risks inherent in leading with a servant’s heart? What are the benefits? What can Jesus’ serving heart teach leaders today about taking care of the people who work for them? In what ways does this model of leadership run against the grain?

From the Commentary

John 13:17 is the key to understanding John 13:12–17—“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” The sequence is important: humbleness, holiness, then happiness. Aristotle defined happiness as “good fortune joined to virtue … a life that is both agreeable and secure.” That might do for a philosopher, but it will never do for a Christian believer! Happiness is the by-product of a life that is lived in the will of God. When we humbly serve others, walk in God’s paths of holiness, and do what He tells us, then we will enjoy happiness.

5. Why does Jesus ask His disciples if they understand what He’s done for them (John 13:12)? How does Jesus redefine the role of teacher by His act of foot-washing? In what ways will the disciples (and subsequently, all believers) be blessed if they do as Jesus has done?

From the Commentary

John 13:36–14:31 opens and closes with our Lord’s loving admonition, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1, 27). We are not surprised that the apostles were troubled. After all, Jesus had announced that one of them was a traitor, and then He warned Peter that he was going to deny his Lord three times. Self-confident Peter was certain that he could not only follow his Lord, but even die with Him and for Him. Alas, Peter did not know his own heart, nor do we really know our hearts, except for one thing: Our hearts easily become troubled.

Perhaps the heaviest blow of all was the realization that Jesus was going to leave them (John 13:33).

6. What sorts of questions would have been prompted by Jesus’ announcement that He was leaving (John 13:33)? Right after announcing His imminent departure, Jesus gives the disciples a new command, but Peter seems distracted by Jesus’ mention of His leaving. What prompts Peter’s question in John 13:37? How does Jesus respond to Peter?