The Weekend, November 7 –
It’s
the weekend and our reading is for both days.
This weekend read John 13:1-20, and as you finish your reading, please
come back that we might look at this passage together, and thanks.
When we began reading John 13, we moved from the last week to the last night of
Jesus’ life. John 13 thru 17 is called
“The Upper Room Discourse”, which is a scholarly way of saying that Jesus met
with his disciples for a Passover meal on the Thursday evening before his
arrest that evening, and the subsequent events of Good Friday. Jesus had withdrawn from public ministry the
week before. In the other Gospels
(called Synoptic Gospels), Jesus had several encounters in that last week, but
John only records his meal with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, on the Saturday
before this (Maundy) Thursday evening meal.
It was an evening Passover meal and he gathered together with his twelve
disciples to have this last meal with them.
John
begins with a note that Jesus “knew that his hour was at hand”. He gathered his disciples to this Upper Room
because “he loved them…to this place of completion (i.e., to the end)
(13:1). Jesus had many things to say
to his disciples on this last evening to prepare them for what would soon
occur, but more importantly, what was to occur after it was all over. Although there was much to say, when they
gathered, the first lesson was an object lesson –
“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” (13:2-5).
In one
very long sentence John tells us that Jesus got up from the meal, took off his
“outer garment” which would have been a long flowing robe, and took a towel – a
servant’s towel – that was used to wash the feet of the guests – which begs the
question, “why did Jesus do this”? My
brother Edward wrote a note on this in his writings in John: “Luke 22:24
helps us understand the context. It says, “A dispute also arose
among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” The disciples began arguing among themselves
who was the greatest, I.e., who was most loyal to Jesus. Perhaps this started because
of who sat closest to Jesus during the meal.
Interestingly, John sits to Jesus’ right while Judas sits to his left.
Think of a U-shaped configuration with each person stretched out in a laying
position on their left side. Peter is sitting opposite of John on the other
side of the table. It is Peter, James,
and John who were in Jesus’ inner circle, so perhaps they expected to sit
closes to him. John tells us Jesus is
quite aware of Satan’s work in Judas convincing him to betray Jesus.”[1]
When
Jesus addresses their dispute, it was to remind them that the greatest among
them is the one who serves (Luke 22:26).
Humility is a greater virtue in the Kingdom than being in charge! John tells us that when this quarreling over
who was closest to Jesus, Jesus got up from the table and took on a servant’s
role to wash their feet. While
foot-washing is still a part of some church’s celebration, it’s not a normal
part of most church services.
Foot-washing in Jesus’ day was an element of hospitality in a dusty
country where almost everyone wore sandals.
The task of washing guests' feet usually fell to the lowliest of the
household servants. The disciples must
have been shocked to see their Lord act as a servant – and in fact, not all of
them appreciated the lesson:
“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!” (13:6-9).
Peter’s
objection is based on a false humility – actually a form of pride, and perhaps
a ploy to point out how he’s the one who is really the closest to Jesus. Peter’s impulsive words are met with a rebuke
by Jesus. Then Peter once again
impulsively responds that he wants Jesus to wash all of him! Then Jesus makes the object lesson into a
theological and practical principle that they all needed to heed:
“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).’ 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’”
(13:10-17).
The
theological truth was that in their “believing in Christ” – that is putting
their faith and trust in Christ to be their Savior – they had been cleansed
(spiritually) from their sin. Peter had
missed the point, and possibly all of them had missed it too – that believers
are not sinless, but forgiven. God’s
grace has cleansed us of our sin, BUT we still get dusty! We confess our sins – not to earn our
salvation – but to remind ourselves that Jesus died for our sins and by his
blood has cleansed us. Later John would
write in 1 John, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The
doctrinal, or theological lesson is completed by the practical object
lesson. They saw Jesus as their “teacher
and Lord” (13:13), and they were right in knowing that. Yet, Christ stooped low to enter into the
world to be teacher and Lord. He was
about to go through death to do the Father’s will. Thus, washing their feet was for their
benefit – “I have given you an example…do as I have done…servants are not
greater than masters…blessed are you if you do this” (13:15-17). The example Jesus set is valid today
also. How do we wash people’s feet
today? In acts of humility where we do
not seek recognition, nor adulation, we serve others. It is another example of the “upside-down”
Kingdom of God. Servanthood is not a
special action for one particular kind of believer. It is the normal action of every believer who
seeks to serve Jesus Christ.
Lastly,
not hidden in these verses, but clearly spelled out, one of the persons’ feet
that Jesus would have washed belonged to Judas.
As he finished his object lesson we remember what he said:
“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’” … [and,
a little later]… ‘I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have
chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted
his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place,
that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly,
I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives
me receives the one who sent me.’” ( 13:10-11, 18-20).
Doesn’t
it strike us that Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer? He celebrated the
Passover meal with his betrayer. Judas
had walked with him for those three years, but now was plotting with the Temple
authorities to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). Judas’ participation was a part of God’s
“fulfilled” word – an Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 41:9). I don’t think Jesus said the words to point
his finger, but to make sure the disciples knew what was to occur shortly –
i.e., “before it takes place” (13:19).
Was it a final warning to Judas?
Perhaps, but Judas was plotting long before this night occurred. His heart, like Pharaoh’s, was hardened
against the word Jesus spoke. Although
Jesus knew what Judas was about to do, still, it deeply affects him.
“After
saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ‘Truly,
truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’” (13:21).
The
lessons had begun. Jesus knew what was
about to occur…his “hour” was at hand.
His love for the disciples included Judas also. Judas’ hardened heart was not going to
change. Yet, for the rest, their own
hearts were hardened seeking in a position, recognition as “the greatest of the
disciples”. Pride can hide in the heart
of a person who hates Jesus and it can also hide in the heart of those who know
him. He says to them, “I am telling
you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may
believe I am” (lit. ego eimi). Perhaps the most profound use of this title
by Jesus as they sit in the shadow of the cross celebrating the Passover meal. [2]
What
do we do with our pride? Kill it…leave
it die in humble service…we’ll be the much better for it.
Peace.
Comments