the Gospel John part 16

Intro

what would you do with your last week on earth

Washing Feet

the introduction is an important turn in the story

we are now approaching the end

what Jesus does as he contemplates the end of his life is significant

they are having dinner together before the feast, Jesus and the twelve

Jesus, the son of God who came from the Father, uses his own shirt to wipe the feet of his disciples

there is a lot going on in this one gesture

Peter thinks its some sort of test and wants to pass

Jesus explains that this is symbolic as well as a practical example

he will wash us clean, even if we don’t deserve it, even if it seems so completely backwards

he will serve us, even though we fail to serve him like we ought to

greatness is not measured among God’s followers. Humility and service are more important

Betrayal

Jesus then predicts in front of the two closest and the rest who will betray him

the gravity of that betrayal they won’t understand for a few more hours

Satan entered in to him. He all at once was more concerned with what he had to gain than with the well being of his friends

he was opposed to the good that he was made for

that is what that means

Jesus knows that it will happen and accepts it in front of his betrayer

New Commandment

what that action has set in motion is the glory of God

the heart of Jesus’ parting words

love in the way that he has loved

there will come other loves and other examples

if we want people to know that we are his, we will love the way that he has

Application

with Jesus’ final moments, he loves others, humbles himself, serves and teaches

he gives of him self for no gain of his own

you want the world to see Jesus

you really want to wear the name and share the life and hope you have

here is the best way to do it

not for yourself or your own greatness

love as he loved, as if there is no other way