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Read John 13

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’

19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

36 Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”

Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

37 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Go Deeper

John 13-17 are often collectively known as Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. Jesus’ final hours had come and it was almost time for Him to leave the earth to be united with the Father. In John 13 we see His final meal with the disciples. In this Last Supper He eats and spends time with them as He prepares them for what’s coming. He leaves His mark upon them in both His actions (washing their feet) and in a final command and charge to love one another.

The streets where Jesus and His disciples walked were filled with dirt, trash, and animal droppings. Many people would wear sandals without socks or stockings and their feet would typically be filthy. In His final night with the disciples, Jesus washed their feet. The perfect Son of God humbled Himself by cleaning their disgusting feet. His final act in the presence of all His disciples was marked by a servant’s heart. In the same way, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-11), Jesus humbled Himself by washing their feet and left us an example of how to serve others.

A few verses later, Jesus gives His followers a new command: To love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34-35). We’re to love each other in a unique way that the world takes notice. This love is a sign to other believers of a relationship with Christ and ought to be a witness to the world of a sincere faith.

How would you spend your last night on earth? Would it be marked by serving and loving others? Christians are often not known or marked by a servant’s heart or love towards others, but Jesus leaves us with a powerful picture of how we ought to be marked. In this hostile world, as followers of Christ, we get to demonstrate a Christ-like humility and love.

Questions

  1. Why did Judas betray Jesus?
  2. How different would your life and the church be if we really did love one another?
  3. What’s a tangible way you can demonstrate the love of Christ to others today? Think of a specific way to love others and make a plan to demonstrate this love.

Keep Digging

In this chapter, we see Satan consume Judas right before he betrays Jesus. Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose Judas as a disciple in the first place? Check out this article from GotQuestions.org!

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3 thoughts on “John 13”

  1. When faced with daily decisions and how we are to proceed, we can be positive these traits Jesus modeled will propel us in the right direction—unconditional love, humility and serving others. The word reveals in Christ’s final hours what he was doing and feeling:
    •He knew every last detail of what was about to happen and had authority over all things but chose to go through with it anyway. Love propelled him on!
    •He knew about the betrayal, denial and desertion of those in his inner circle and knew they needed a Savior, too. He was and is the Rescuer.
    •He felt deep anguish of what lie before him.
    •He modeled humility and serving (he even washed the feet of Judas)and extends the invitation for us to join him on that mission as we take the gospel wherever we go and make disciples.

  2. WOW! Just think, Judas was with Jesus for three years. Jesus was his Rabbi, He knew Judas. Judas had a front row seat to all that Jesus did and still… Jesus loved him unconditionally all the way to the end. Jesus gave him a chance to repent and turn away just like He does us. Sin got a foothold in Judas life and it was greater than Jesus. Who do we/I choose? Jesus gave him an opportunity all the way to the very last moment. He did not have to eat that bread, God could have found someone else to fulfill the prophesy. Freedom of choice. Obedience to the one we truly truly love.

    God thank You for freedom of choice. Thank You for my walk everyday of being holy (1Peter1)14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” This is my goal, my desire, to be obedient in all my conduct for You. Thank You for guidance, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Thank You for directing my path. God thank You for Your love goggles to see others, Your words rolling off my tongue, and show me how and where to be Your hands and feet in Jesus name amen.

  3. Diane Frances Rogers

    God’s love for us was shown through His Son, Jesus. Jesus came to earth to die for the redemption of all sinners. Judas was part of the plan. All-knowing Jesus knew Judas’ heart as well as He knows ours. Let’s not fool ourselves believing we would have done better in the same circumstance.
    Questions:
    1. God’s sovereign plan had to be accomplished. Acts 2:23
    2. Jesus was and is the model servant. John 13:15-17
    3. Live a life of humility and love. Specifically giving of myself without any expectations. Love is an attitude that reveals itself in action.
    To God be the glory! Amen!

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