John 13:1-20
Jesus Washes the
Disciples’ Feet
John 13:1–20
1Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to
depart from this world to the Father. Having
loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
2Now by the time of supper, the Devil had already put it into the heart
of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Him. 3Jesus knew that the
Father had given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that
He was going back to God. 4So He got up from supper, laid aside His
robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. 5Next, He poured
water into a basin and began to wash His
disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.
6He came to
Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are
You going to wash my feet?”
7Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t understand now, but afterward you will know.”
8a“You will never wash my feet—ever!” Peter said.
8bJesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord,
not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”
10“One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything
except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11For He knew who
would betray Him. This is why He said, “You
are not all clean.”
12When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined
again and said to them, “Do you know
what I have done for you? 13You call Me Teacher and Lord. This
is well said, for I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I
have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.
16“I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger
is not greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these
things, you are blessed if you do them. 18I’m not speaking about all
of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: ‘The
one who eats My bread has raised his heel against Me.’
19“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. 20I assure you: The one who receives whomever I send receives Me, and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”[1]
[1]
Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp.
208–210). Holman Bible Publishers.
Intro Questions
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
- What were the special meals in your family: Thanksgiving? Sunday lunch? Birthday dinners? Christmas? What was usually served?
- Who would you nominate for the "Mother Teresa Award" in your family or church for selfless, tireless servanthood?
- What does Jesus know that escapes the disciples' attention (John 13:1,3,11)? Hence, what impresses you about Jesus washing their feet?
- If you were Peter, would you have reacted as he did? Why or why not? While Peter is taking the washing of his feet literally, what do you think Jesus meant by his statement in John 13:8? Then in John 13:10?
- How does Jesus challenge their idea of what it means to be the chief followers of the Messiah (John 13:12-17)? What role reversals do you see here?
- In your spiritual life, who is one person who has demonstrated what it means to "wash feet"? What did he or she do?
- Specifically, how will you put Jesus' teaching into practice in at least one relationship this week at home, work, or church?
#Humility
- What do we learn about God?
- What do we learn about people?
- What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage?
- How will you apply it to your life this week?
- Who do you know who needs to hear this?
- How can we help with a challenge you’re facing?
Devotional Thoughts
"A Clean Heart and Clean Feet"
“Jesus answered, ‘A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean…’" (John 13:10)
Throughout the Gospels, we see how Jesus was connected to his heavenly Father, how he prayed, and how he knew the scriptures. We know from Mark 1:35 and other Scriptures how Jesus repeatedly spent time with God in the morning: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
In Luke 21:37 and other Scriptures, we see how Jesus ended the day spending time with God: “Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening He went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.”
John 13:10 (above) helps provide insight into why spending time with God at the end of the day was important to Jesus.
Think of your day. Your day results in a lot of “dirt” dumped on you from frustrations, difficulties in meeting the demands of life, other’s sinfulness being “bestowed” on you, your sinfulness creating havoc, being saturated with bad news from media outlets, etc. You begin each day praising God, confessing sin, thanking God, and placing your needs before Him. But should you spend each night carrying the weight of life to bed?
This truth can invigorate your sleep, faith, and walk with Christ. Consider going to bed with praise on your lips as you confess sin and enlist God’s help in dealing with the “things of life” and the burdens of the day. This practice can remove a tremendous weight from your shoulders, heart, mind, and conscience each night. It can also keep you connected to your heavenly Father.
Think of the washing of feet as our constant need of cleansing from the grunge of daily life. This is a powerful truth on how to end each day. Confess and ask forgiveness for sins. Pray through conflict and challenges. Praise and thank God for His work and life. Transfer your worries, fears, and challenges to God. Entrust God with the ultimate resolution of those things that are impacting your life.
Ending the day this way allows you to enter the next day with clear heart and mind.
Psalm 4:4 “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”
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“The Blessing of Service”
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:14-17).
What an incredible example and teaching to cap off the ministry of Jesus!
With just hours to live, what final message did Jesus want to drive home to his disciples? Knowing he was getting ready to depart physically from the ministry he began would normally challenge a person to address leadership, organization, and how to continue what he had started.
But the Son of God focused on just the opposite of what human nature might think.
Jesus not only chose to emphasize serving others, but also demonstrated serving with an extreme example that would push most people way past their comfort zone. Feet in Jesus’ day were not just dirty – they were filthy!
Jesus knew that the religious structure of the day spoke little to people. What people were unaccustomed to was Jesus, who loved unconditionally and who was willing to place others before himself.
Jesus lived a life where God’s transforming love was perfected through his life. It was this type of life that produced radical transformation in others. Jesus knew that his ministry would not be perfected in human shrewdness or logic, but in a love that is best demonstrated in serving and loving others.
Yes, Jesus set the example!
The disciples learned this truth, but what they didn’t realize was that they were going to be blessed by doing it, as Jesus said (verse 17).
What does it mean to be blessed by God? It is not always material wealth, the perfect job, the most heart-warming relationships, but experiencing the richness of God’s love, presence, and work in your life.
Serving is a constant activity that allows God to constantly pour His life through you into the ministry of others.
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:10-14).
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Servants vs. Volunteers
By David Shannon
Volunteers usually serve with less commitment than servants. They often need to fit their volunteer hours around other priorities in their lives. Volunteers generally view their work as a "gift" to the organization. Rarely do they not feel that appreciation is due to them, after all, they have given all their time instead of being compensated. Volunteers usually have lower expectations placed on them, because they are free to go at any time. And if you listen to their reasoning on why they give their time, it is often because it makes them "feel good about themselves." Notice, God doesn't call us to volunteer, but to serve. Consider that servants are committed--totally committed.
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16 Servants don't just place God first on the list, then follow with number 2, 3, 4 and so on. Servants make sure God is first in all areas of their lives! God is first. Then He is first in the 2nd area, He is first in the 3rd area and so on.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Servants do not see their work as a gift that deserves gratitude, but instead, they understand it is their duty.
Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." Luke 17:9-10
Instead of expecting appreciation, servants are thankful for the opportunity, recognizing it as a part of God's grace. That is correct, the opportunity to serve God is a gracious opportunity we don't deserve. Paul understood it when he said,
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. 1 Timothy 1:12
A servant's service isn't motivated by self-promotion or glory. A servant's service is accomplished through obedience to the Master who knows our purpose and has work for us to do.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
Don't Volunteer, Serve! It is Your Duty!
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"The Debt of Love"
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
This verse is so radical that it demands you to rethink your relationships and your approach to people.
Do you interact with others to receive love or to give love? Do you carry anger or love towards people with whom you work or people in your home? Do the offenses of others control your relationships or does your love for them control those relationships? Does your hectic schedule blind you to the needs of those around you?
Are the people you interact with daily merely inconsequential acquaintances or do they represent continuous opportunities to show Christ’s love?
Do those with whom you have a relationship experience love and concern from you or are they merely people to be used?
What if you are taken advantage of or treated unfairly? Do you feel justified in seeking revenge or at least in turning away from them? Or do you choose to let love make a difference?
No matter what the relationship or circumstances, God says your number one priority is to love Him and love others. Your job is not to carry a debt of anger, revenge, hard feelings, inflicting pain on others, misunderstanding, insensitivity, and unfairness, but a “debt of love.”
Your actions and responses should allow Christ’s love to shine through you. This type of lifestyle requires you to let go and just let God be God. The needs of others in the divine realm are more important than the needs you have. Your natural response might scream for justice, but God says, “Justice is mine.”
Do not allow the world’s ways to replace God’s way. Don’t exchange the love of God for the love of self. Have only “a debt of love,” and let it compel you through life.
Romans 14:13, “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Consider:
• With whom do you feel like you have a debt of anger, revenge, or hard feelings? How can you allow God to reclaim that debt and restore love?
• What are some tangible ways you can be more loving to those around you?
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"Has Your Time Come?"
“It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.” (John 13:1)
It is impossible to know the full extent of what it means to accept Jesus as Lord of your life when you make your profession of faith and are baptized into Christ. Understanding and growth usually come in incremental steps.
Jesus knew the end game of his ministry before the end; yet this final step of faith and obedience is quite impactful to hear.
At some point, many of us who have surrendered our lives to Christ reach a similar point that takes us deeper into discipleship and faithfulness. For us, it may mean being confronted with our wrongdoing, or a specific experience that deeply challenges our faith and/or belief system, or great loss, or an intersection in life when a difficult decision is required.
Regardless of what it is, from that point forward, your relationship with Christ is fundamentally transformed from nominal Lordship to “ALL-IN Lordship.”
Jesus’ proclamation in John 11:25-26 gives a good starting point for all followers of Christ: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Your affirmation of Jesus’ proclamation as the resurrection and the life conveys your belief that life and hope are based on a living hope that God allows you to enter through faith and obedience. Not just a future hope, but the ability and equipping to experience life here and now. It is this proclamation and lifestyle that allows you to experience “the full extent of God’s love.”
Making this proclamation is more likely to happen if your ear and heart are continually connected to the Lord.
John 10:4 reminds us about knowing the voice of Jesus: “When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” Your life in Christ has become so close that it is much easier to hear his leading and feel his presence.
This relationship with Jesus does not come from a casual approach to your Lord and Savior, but with an intensity that thirsts and hungers for God and for righteousness that comes only from Him. When you find yourself at those critical moments in life, the lordship of Jesus to which you have surrendered becomes the guiding force for decisions, interactions, relationships and lifestyle choices.
You may never know God’s timing in preparation for His callings, but if you seek Him for understanding and direction, you will make yourself available for His guidance and use.
Seek God not just to know Him, but to know and understand His will for you. God wants you to be a vessel who is available and ready for His use.
John 12:24 “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
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