Private Ministry: Jesus Washes His Disciple's Feet (13:1-20)

Introduction:

What a fabulous celebration we had over Passion week, as we looked at the Power of the Passion over the last two Sundays, beginning with the Preparation for the Passion with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, two Sundays ago, and the Passover Lamb of the Passion on Good Friday, when we looked at Jesus’ crucifixion, and finally last Sunday, we celebrated the glorious resurrection of Jesus with the Proclamation from the Passion.

With this backdrop of our Passion series, we now return to our current study in John’s gospel in which we pick up with events that happened during the Passion week, and how John adds many wonderful details not contained in the synoptic gospels, and takes a slower look at some of these Passion week details. You may remember that we left off with two messages from chapter 12 which highlighted Jesus’ Preparation For Rejection and Death where we saw:

Mary Anointing Jesus with expensive perfume

The plot to kill Lazarus by the religious leaders

Jesus Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Some Greeks who desired to see Jesus, and how Jesus declared the cost of discipleship

Jesus’ prediction that he will be lifted up on the cross and will, as a result, draw all kinds of people to him

The continued unbelief and building opposition of the people, which was predicted by Isaiah the prophet.

Jesus again declaring his oneness with the Father in both word and deed.

This morning we will look at how Jesus, the Son of God, son of David, the Messiah, was about to display before his disciples that necessary characteristic of a Christ follower, that of meekness. He does so by taking on the task of a household servant, as Jesus Washes His Disciple's Feet. So let’s turn to John 13:1-20.

Text: John 13:1-20

John 13:1–20 ESV

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Main Idea: Since Jesus’ love for His sheep is shown in active meekness, we His sheep must display the same meekness to one another.

Background:

Jesus first came to Jerusalem for the last time during the feast of Tabernacles (John 7, late September of October), which is now over, and the next great feast of the Jews is that of Passover (late March or early April). Which means Jesus has been in Judea for about 6 months. However, though Jesus has attended many Passovers during his earthly life, this Passover will be one like no other, for this Passover will sacrifice the final Passover lamb.

I. Purposeful Preparation (1-5)

This great act of love and humility was made even greater by the fact that Jesus, as John declares, knew (oida [per, act, par]) (1), and knowing (oida [per, act, par]) (3)…

His nearness to death, His soon-coming betrayal by Judas, His soon-coming authority over all things, His origin, and His destiny.

As a result, he was prepared and planned with purpose…

(1) Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Feast of the Passover - celebrated during the 15th of Nisan (March/April), on the second day of the seven day feast of unleavened bread (Nisan 14-21)

Jesus’ own are now the Twelve, and is significant because Jesus’ focus is now on them, the public ministry is over, and he must prepare his disciples to be the representatives of his new messianic community, and the application of the New Covenant and Commandment.

Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world. In several places John says that Jesus is leaving the world and going to the Father (see 13:3; also 7:33; 16:28; 17:11). Yet in other places Jesus can say that he will always be present with his disciples, even after his ascension into heaven (Matt. 18:20; 28:20; Rev. 3:20). Both are true: Jesus in his human nature is no longer here on earth but has returned to heaven and will come again one day, but in his divine nature Jesus is omnipresent and is with believers “always” (Matt. 28:20).

he loved them to the end. John places great emphasis in chs. 13–17 on Christ’s love. This love becomes the banner or hallmark of a Christ follower, and is about to be illustrated in the moving scene of the foot-washing in which the Son of God does not hesitate performing the most menial tasks of a servant (Phil. 2:7, 8).

This is displayed by example in what Jesus does next, which may be a direct outcome of the disciples dispute over who will be the greatest (Luke 22:24), which was the same context we find here in John.

Luke 22:24 ESV

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

(2) During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

A vivid contrast between self-serving Judas and self-giving Jesus

(3) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,

Jesus, knowing. Jesus’ humble conduct was not because He forgot His rank as incarnate God the Son. His act demonstrates that rank and privilege are not occasions for arrogance, but are higher credentials for service. This he did even though he confidently knew:

the Father had given all things into his hands, - Jesus is given authority over all things, all things belong to Jesus and thus were at his command.

he had come from God and was going back to God, - he knew his origin and destiny.

Jesus was confident in who he was, why he was here, and where he was going. His actions therefore were not driven to attain these things, but where driven by love and his soon departure from those he loved.

Philippians 2:5–9 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

(4) rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. - the necessary preparations for serving.

(5) Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

wash the disciples’ feet. Foot-washing was a common element of hospitality in a dusty country where people wore sandals. This task was usually performed by the lowliest member of the household.

So we see that Jesus’ Preparation was not arbitrary but was Purposeful, and that this preparation was significant in teaching how Spiritual:

II. Purification Prioritized (6-11)

(6) He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Peter, with his usual impulsiveness (Luke 5:8; Matt. 16:22; Acts 10:14), objected to Jesus’ action of washing his feet. He could not understand the humility of Christ.

However, Jesus is about to teach something more profoundly important and that this demonstration of humility would show him more than meets the eye…

(7) Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

Jesus answers that whatever Peter’s own expectations may have been, Peter must accept Jesus in the path that God has chosen for the Messiah to follow.

(8) Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

You shall never wash my feet. - Peter’s declaration was based on what he understood at the time…he had been with Jesus three years, saw his miracles and heard his words, surely he could not submit to this humble act of Jesus on his behalf…

If I do not wash you, you have no share with me - Jesus response is rather sobering, for he is saying to Peter without being washed by Jesus he does not belong to him. Therefore, Jesus is speaking of the washing necessary for the forgiveness of sins, in anticipation of Jesus’ death for his people, by which sins are washed away.

(9) Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” - Peter now recoils with a statement that he needs it all!

(10) Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”

The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet - Two different Greek words for cleansing are used here, the one (bathed) refers to a complete bath, the other (wash) to a washing of parts of the body that get dirty just by working and walking about.

The meaning of His statement:

He who is once-for-all cleansed (bathed) from the guilt of sin by the blood of Christ (Jn. 13:10, 11; 1 Cor. 6:11; Titus 3:5; Heb. 9:14; 10:22) does not need another bath from the guilt of sin but only a daily cleansing (wash) from the pollution of sin by the Word of God (Psa. 119:9; Jn. 15:2; Eph. 5:26; 1 Jn. 1:9). These two cleansings refer respectively to sonship and fellowship, to standing and state, to justification and sanctification.

This was very symbolic from the Mosaic Law concerning the Levitical priests who received a once-for-all bath, Exo. 29:4, and a daily cleansing at the laver, Exo. 30:18–21. This symbolically could be understood in that all the disciples had had a natural bath that morning in Bethany and so now they needed not another natural bath but only a washing of their feet.

This is a great verse for describing the salvation we have received in Christ, the justification, which is declared once when we trust Christ and is permanent and unshakable, but also, the daily walk in our journey of sanctification, which we need daily cleansing and continual mortification of besetting sins in our life through repentance and obedience.

Romans 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:20–23 ESV

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And you are clean, but not every one of you.” - Likewise, they had all (except Judas) had a spiritual bath some time before and so now they needed not another spiritual bath but only periodic washings from the defilements of daily living.

(11) For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

he knew. John emphasizes that Judas’s betrayal was not an unforeseen development, but that Jesus proceeded in full awareness of coming events and of Judas’s role in them. Judas’s action was his own free and responsible decision—yet carried out according to the plan of God.

So we’ve seen how Jesus knowledge of all things caused him to move with Purposeful Preparation, and how he would explain and declare the necessity for Purification of sins that is Prioritized by the washing that only Christ can give, we now move into our final point of this text as Jesus helps his disciple understand his example in the…

III. Pattern Proclaimed (12-20)

(12) When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?

Do you understand what I have done to you? - The disciples will understand fully only after the cross, though they do grasp in part Jesus’ amazing humility, which serves as a model for all of his disciples.

(13) You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.

Teacher and LORD. This double title gives special significance to the claim of Christ over the disciples’ lives. Later, they would call Him “Lord” in acknowledgement of His deity (20:28).

for so I am - Jesus again is putting emphasis on his deity as the I AM, Yahweh, of the Old Testament.

(14) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

Jesus with his identification intact, drives the point home arguing from the greater (Lord and Teacher) to the lesser (you).

Jesus emphasis is not one the spiritual washing, but on the act of humility and the sanctifying washing that they would be involved with.

(15) For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

I have given you an example. The humility of Christ is a pattern for His disciples. Instead of aspiring to dominate, they must be eager to serve (Matt. 20:26–28; Phil. 2:5–8; 1 Pet. 2:21).

Jesus now drives the point home with a series of examples, arguing again from the greater to the lesser…

(16) Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Truly, truly, I say to you - Listen up, I want you to get this!

a servant is not greater than his master - they as the servants are not greater then he as their master.

nor is a messenger (Gk. apostolos) greater than the one who sent him. This is one of a few places in the NT where this Greek word does not refer to the office of “apostle of Jesus Christ” but simply to a “messenger” in general.

Jesus is driving home this point in such a way that there can be no misunderstanding;

“I am the master and the sender, you are the slave and the messenger, therefore expect to do that which is representative of these humble positions, especially since I have set the example.”

(17) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

If you know (oida [per, act ind] - to know absolutely, that which was established from the beginning and its implications extend to the present) these things - this hierarchy of service is an absolute fact of our relationship as a Christ follower.

blessed are you if you do them. Intellectual perception is not enough, but must be backed up by commitment of life. This does not mean that our works are the basis of our acceptance by God, but that they are the evidence of a true faith. Trust and obedience are inseparable.

The blessing of being a Christ follower is not just an escape from hell, but of joyful, obedient service to what our Lord and commissioning master has given us to do.

(18) I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

I am not speaking of all of you. Jesus chose Judas to be one of the Twelve, but He did not bring him to salvation. Judas was not one of the elect (Matt. 26:24), yet he was in no way coerced into his betrayal.

I know whom I have chosen does not refer to choosing for salvation but to Jesus’ choosing of the Twelve, including Judas, to be disciples (this is the same sense given to “choose” in 6:70, where it clearly includes Judas).

Scripture will be fulfilled. Jesus cites Ps. 41:9, dealing with Absalom’s rebellion against King David; the “faithless friend” there may be Ahithophel (2 Sam. 16:23). Judas’s lifting his heel against Jesus brings out the treacherous and faithless nature of Judas’s deed.

Psalm 41:9 ESV

9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

(19) I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.

before it takes place. The truth of a prior prediction was the mark of a true prophet, and false prediction was a sure way to discern a false prophet (Deut. 18:18–22).

I am he. The word “he” is supplied here for the English text. The original Greek reads “I am,” a claim to deity derived from Ex. 3:14.

(20) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Truly, truly, I say to you - again, listen up…

The one I send refers first of all to the disciples whom Jesus would specifically send out at 20:22. But more broadly it applies to all messengers of Christ, in every age, who bring the gospel of Christ to others.

whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me - shows the unique oneness of being in Christ, the Father sent Jesus who sends his followers, and because of this, the receiving of Jesus’ followers will ultimately receive the Father!

Jesus is stating the amazing truth on how we should view our commission as Christ followers, servants, and messengers. With Christ as the example, we view those who both receive us and reject us as those who receive Jesus and his Father, or reject Jesus and his Father.

So What?

Do we understand that there are no “big people”, who are Christ followers, but only servants and messengers?

The reality the we have all things in Christ, he is the all sufficient one in our lives should allow us to rest in him, and carry out is commands with joy, not anxiety.

Do we understand that to follow Christ means that we will be servants of Christ first, and then to others as an outcome of our service to Christ?

Have you been washed by Christ?

Christ said clearly, “if you have not been washed by me, you have no part in me, or there is no salvation or escaping judgment apart from me.”