April 16, 2020
Whose Feet Do You Need to Wash Today?
John 13:1-20
Nicoletta Bradley
Central Truth
If Jesus, the perfect King of the Universe, can get down on His knees to serve His disciples, then we have no excuse NOT to lay down our lives to serve others. Thankfully, we don't have to do it in our own power.
Key Verse | John 13:14-15
"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."
John 13:1-20
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
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, 1 13:10 Some manuscripts omit except for his feet but is completely clean. And you 2 13:10 The Greek words for you in this verse are plural 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 3 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) 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, 4 13:18 Greek But in order that the Scripture may 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.”
Dive Deeper | John 13:1-20
Before we dive in, put yourself in this story for me. Imagine you have just spent your whole day in the hot sun, walking around on dirt, rocks, mud, and animal droppings in SANDALS (sometimes even barefoot!). After a long day, your feet are probably not the most attractive thing you have ever seen. And your Lord—the One who gave everything up for you—the King of the Universe, the One who created the heavens and the earth, just got down on His knees to wash your feet! Let that sink in for a minute . . . .
Since the washing of feet was a job reserved for slaves, I can imagine the disciples were sitting around that Passover table astonished by what Jesus was doing. But Jesus, as He always does, had purpose in washing their feet.
Jesus humbly washed His disciples' feet to give us an example of the type of person we are to be if we are to represent Him. He has the highest rank imaginable (John 13:3), yet shows humility in serving (John 13:4), to provide a clear example of what He expects of those who follow Him (John 13:12-16). Jesus is asking us (through His own example) to lay down our lives, our pride, our status, and humbly love and serve others without asking for anything in return.
By Jesus providing this perfect example, we are without excuse. But what's even sweeter is that Jesus says that serving others not only glorifies Him, but also benefits us (John 13:17)! He says blessed—happy, joyful, gratified—are those who give themselves up for others. How sweet is our King—that by being obedient, we reap benefits! Jesus promises that when we serve out of an overflow of our hearts for Him, we will feel more joyful than when we look to our own interests. Today, remember the words of the Lord Jesus when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) Let's go, church!
Discussion Questions
1. Read Philippians 2:1-11. What does the Lord command us to do in our relationships? Is this hard for you to live out? Why? Ask the Lord to reveal to you whom you need to live Philippians 2:1-11 and John 13 out for this week.
2. Do you serve people out of the desire to people-please or to be viewed a certain way? What have your motives been in the past in serving others?
3. Do you believe that joy is the result of serving others? What moments in your life did you see that to be true? What moments in your life did you see the opposite?