Why did Jesus wash his disciple's feet?
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Jesus washes his disciples feet.
Jesus washes his disciples feet.
John
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.
Not long ago, there was one morning when we came to Church and there was a smell at Church. A smell of something rotting. It was very smelly. We went around the Church trying to look for the smell with our noses. When we followed our noses outside of the Church to the rubbish place, we were shocked to find a dead cat there. It was very gross when we saw the cat. It was rotting and there were maggots growing in it. It was so gross that we did not want to touch it. So we thought that the people who collected the rubbish would come and collect it tomorrow. So we were willing to bear with the smell for another day and wait for someone else to do that thing that we did not want to do.
The next day when we came to work, the smell was still there and when we went to check, the cat was still there and this time to smell was very bad. So bad that we needed to take the cat out and put it into a trash bag. But who will do it? I asked Cheri to do it, she said no because it was too smelly she wants to vomit. Koy couldn’t do it also because she was pregnant and it was dangerous for her to go near because it is full of bacteria. Thank God that Korn was at Church that day and I asked him if he would help to go with me to throw away the dead Cat. Pi Porn was there too and she was not very excited to go and pick up the dead cat too. Actually I didn’t want to do it also. But no one else wanted to do it so I had to do it with Korn’s help. So in the end, Korn took a broom and I took a dust pan and we sweeped the dead cat and all the maggots that were falling out of it and put it into the trash bag. Actually none of us wanted to do it because it was not a glamorous job and it was dirty and smelly. We all hoped that someone else would do it. i hoped that Cheri would say okay, I will do it.
Today we will look at a passage where the disciples also felt the same. Let us read this passage together.
John 13
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.
As we read today’s passage, we see the disciples having the last supper with Jesus before Jesus will be caught and crucified. In the customs of that time, because the streets of Palestine were not like our roads today but were dirt roads, when people traveled along the roads, they wore sandals. Their feet would be full of sand that is stuck to their feet because of the sweat. Because the weather is very hot in Palestine. And they did not have motorcycles or cars at that time. They walked for long distances. Their feet would be sandy and smelly.
So usually when they arrived at someone’s home, the host would provide the guests with water for them to wash their feet. But when they arrived at the place, who was the host? There was no host. So someone had to get the water right. Who was going to get it. Not the disciples. Nope. they were tired from the travel and they just wanted to rest. Someone else was going to have to get the water. So they all just act blur and wait to see who will do it first. The food was getting cold but they were not going to serve each other.
It says in Verse 1 and 2 that Jesus knowing that his time had come for him to leave the world to go to the father, Jesus loved his own who were in the world, Jesus loved them till the end of his life. And it goes on to show how Jesus loved them till the end. Jesus knowing that Judas is about to betray Jesus stood up from supper and took off his outer garments and took the towel and tied a towel around his waist and poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet.
How do you think the disciples felt? They were shocked that the master would wash their feet. Do you know who was tasked to wash the feet of the guests? The lowest of servants were tasked to wash feet. Only gentile slaves were required to wash feet. Jewish slaves did not have to do it. And this is what Jesus did for the disciples. He who was the the creator of the earth washed the disciples feet. The feet of Jesus creation. Jesus washed the feet of his spiritual children just like I am willing to wash Allie’s feet when she dirtied herself.
What was Jesus teaching by washing the disciple’s feet?
1) Jesus addresses their sinful nature
When the disciples were at the dinner, they were worried about status, about smelly and dirty feet and how they did not want to do that job of the lowest servant. They felt that they were better than that. Just like me when there was a dead cat. And I saw that there was a need to be met. But deep down inside I did not want to do it because it was dirty and smelly. I asked Cheri to do it to see if she would do it instead so that I did not have to do it. I was focused on my own interests more than anything else. But then God reminded me that he has called me to lead and serve the Church. In my old nature, I probably would not be very willing to do it. But because of God’s love and sacrifice for me, I am willing to sacrifice to serve others.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Jesus was actually telling the disciples that they were sinning by being selfish and only looking to their own interests. Before this the disciples were still arguing about who was the greatest in the kingdom.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
Luke 22:26
Their idea was that the greatest shall be served but Jesus taught that true greatness comes from serving others. So what is our idea of greatness? Do we think like the disciples who will not serve the others because they want to be great? Are we people who only want to be heard and never want to hear from others about how they are doing in their lives.
In this world people all want to be great and respected. They think that if they have money and status or high education then people will respect them and they will be great. Was Jesus rich, very educated, did Jesus go to Bible school? Did Jesus ever teach the disciples that because I am the son of God, you must respect me and call me great. Did Jesus ever do anything like that? No. What was Jesus greatness? Jesus said in his word that he came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for us.
2) Jesus shows them the way to life
Do you know what was the original sin? What do you think it is? It is pride.
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
When Adam and Sinned against God. What is the intention of their hearts? Their intention was pride. They wanted to be like God and be great like God. They wanted to be great. How did Satan become Satan? Satan was actually an Angel of God who was the main Angel who led the worship in heaven. But because of pride, Satan wanted to be God, Satan took 1/3 of the angels from heaven and led them to rebel against God. As we can see, pride was the original sin that causes separation from God.
When Jesus was about to wash Peter’s feet, Peter said to Jesus “You shall never wash my feet.” But Jesus said to him. If I do not wash you, you have no share in me. What was Peter saying when he said that Jesus shall never wash his feet? Peter is saying that he does not need Jesus’ cleansing and that he can be clean by himself apart from Jesus. But Jesus says that Peter needs to accept Jesus cleansing in order for Peter to have a part in Christ. In order for Peter to have a part in Christ, Peter needs to accept the grace and sacrifice of Jesus. Peter did not understand it then, but this washing of the feet was pointing to the sacrifice that Jesus was going to make for him on the cross. And Jesus was not going to wash them just with water but by the blood of Jesus. Peter had to choose to humble himself and acknowledge that Peter cannot save himself and accept the cleansing that only Jesus can give.
When Jesus washed to feet of the disciples including the one who would betray him, Jesus showed his love and grace to all who would fail him and those who would betray him.
Jesus modelled what it meant to be humble and meek. It’s a difficult word to explain, but when Jesus demonstrated it. We are shocked by it. Of what it really means. He did not need to tell his disciples to respect him. The way that Jesus led his life caused the disciples and everyone to respect him.
3) Jesus commands the disciples to change their ways
the original sin was pride.
3) Jesus commands the disciples to change their ways
Washing feet Sermon.
After Jesus had washed all the disciple’s feet, Jesus said to them. If Jesus who is their master washed all of their feet, they should learn to wash each other’s feet. Because Jesus has shown them an example.
This act is the lowest of tasks which not even Jewish slaves do. It i reserved for Gentile slaves and women and Children.
Jesus after washing their feet commanded them to learn from Jesus humility. When Jesus came on the earth, Jesus humbled himself, when he washed his disciple’s feet, he humbled himself, when Jesus died on the cross, Jesus humbled himself.
What a contrast to what the disciples were focused upon. they were very concerned about who was the greatest.
Jesus came not to be served but to serve.
Jesus gave up his rights to choose what he wanted to do. But he chose to love those who are not lovable. People like us. Jesus did not have to die for people like me and you. But he chose to. Today Jesus is coming to us and offering to wash our lives with his blood. Jesus is here today to wash us. Just like he was going to wash Peter’s feet. How are we going to respond? Will we sin in pride by saying to Jesus that it’s okay Jesus, i don’t need your sacrifice. I can continue to live life like this. I don’t need your help. Or will we be willing to humble ourselves and be thankful to Jesus for what he has done for us and receive his salvation and change the way we live our lives.
the original sin was pride.
Many of us call ourselves Christians, but many of us don’t live the life of victory in Christ. We are still the god of our own lives. God is not the God of our lives. If God is not the God of our lives then we are in trouble. Unless we allow Jesus to cleanse us, we have no part in the Kingdom of God. We are already in God’s wrath now if we have not received the salvation gift of God.
humble yourself and jesus will raise you up
We are already in God’s wrath now if we have not received the salvation gift of God.
Unless we allow Jesus to cleanse us, we have no part in the Kingdom of God.
Thats why our lives are so hard. Look at our lives, some of us have not trusted in God, we are still doing our own thing. How is your life? Answer yourselves honestly, is your life full of Love, peace Joy patience gentleness, kindness, self control, faithfulness, goodness.
But when we are proud and do not receive what Jesus has graciously done for us, We will die. The wrath of God will not depart from us.
When we receive the forgiveness of God, we humble ourselves and say that we need Jesus to save us. We cannot she ourselves.
But when we are proud and do not receive what Jesus has graciously done for us, We will die. The wrath of God will not depart from us.
If you have not experienced any of these things in your life, you need to be very afraid. Because the wrath of God is still on your life.
Thats why our lives are so hard. Ask those who believe in God and trust in Him, Do you see that their lives are different? Look at our lives, some of us have not trusted in God, we are still doing our own thing. How is your life? Answer yourselves honestly, is your life full of Love,peace Joy patience gentleness, kindness, self control, faithfulness, goodness.
If you have not experienced any of these things in your life, you need to be very afraid. Because the wrath of God is still on your life.
You need to repent of your sinfulness and repent before God.
Some of us might think that it’s ok, my life is not that bad yet…..But I want to remind you not to take the grace of God for granted. Repeant when you still have the chance. We do not know what will happen next in our lives.
Jesus shows the way
Jesus commands the disciples to change their ways