Communion

Review

Jesus calls us to be disciples - to follow him and change the world.

The cost of discipleship is making Jesus our top priority now.

Jesus calls us into deep friendship with himself and fellow disciples.

Loved Them to the End

John 13:1–5 ESV

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. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 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, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 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.

“loved” = agape (lovingkindness)

“to the end.” = fully, completely, to fulfillment

Jesus’ top priority and concern was for his disciples.

Jesus showed that true love is service and forgiveness.

Jesus washed the feet of those who would betray and deny him.

Peter and Judas

John 13:6–11 ESV

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 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.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 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.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Peter was still clinging to a formal, religious idea of discipleship.

First, he wouldn’t let a “Master” wash him.

Then, he thought it was about getting it “right” and “perfect.”

Jesus was showing discipleship is a process, not a product.

An Example for Us

John 13:12–17 ESV

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? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 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. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Jesus is preparing the disciples to replace him,

to be the visible presence of God in the world.

Jesus wants to fill us with his life - love, service, and forgiveness.

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Next Steps...

I want Jesus to clean me and work through me during footwashing.

I want Jesus to clean me and work through me as I participate in footwashing.

I want Jesus to fill me with his love, service, and forgiveness for others.

I accept Jesus’ life as my own through participation in communion.

At the SLO Seventh-day Adventist Church we practice open communion. If you have a relationship with Jesus or want to begin a relationship with Jesus, we invite you to participate in any or all parts of today’s communion service.