JOHN 13A - JESUS WASHING THE FEET OF

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JOHN 13A - JESUS WASHING THE FEET OF HIS
DISCIPLES
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• The public ministry of Jesus had ended in John
  12.

• Is John 13 trying to teach us the lesson of
  humility or
• something much deeper?

A. Richardson It foreshadows the Cross itself
the voluntarily humility of the Lord cleanses
his loved ones and gives to them an example of
selfless service which they must follow.
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• THE UNCONDITONAL LOVE OF JESUS FOR HIS
• DISCIPLES (VERSE 1)

John begins chapter 13 by highlighting the
unconditional love of Jesus for his disciples in
verse 1 Jesus loved them to the end.
What is the significance of this
unconditional love of Jesus?
1) Judas was going to betray Jesus (verse 2)
2) Peter was going to deny Jesus three times
(verses 36-38)
3) All the disciples were going to desert Jesus
(Mark 1450)
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• THE SOVEREIGN CONTROL OF JESUS OVER THE
• SITUATION (VERSES 2-3)

Jesus was in perfect control even though the
Cross was looming near for him.

• He was fully conscious of God the Fathers will
  for him to die on
• the Cross (verse 3a)

• He was going to return to the Father after
  completing this
• earthly mission (verse 3b)

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• THE PERSONAL DEMONSTRATION OF SELFLESS
• SERVICE TO THE DISCIPLES (VERSES 4-17)

The primary lesson of foot-washing is not about
humility, but about selfless service towards
others
1. What is this Jewish practice of
foot-washing?
- A menial task reserved only for the slaves

• Normal for a house host to provide this
  service for
• the guests

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2. Why was Peter reluctant for Jesus to wash his
feet?
Verse 6 Jesus came to Peter and Peter said to
him, Lord, do you wash my feet?

• Peter was demonstrating an attitude of
  humility towards
• Jesus

• At the same time Peter was dictating to Jesus
  what the latter
• ought to do
• Verse 8 Peter said to Jesus
• You shall never wash my feet.

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• Why did Peter insist that Jesus should also wash
  his hands
• and head (verse 9)?

- Now Peter wanted Jesus to give him a
thorough washing.

• What is the implication behind the cryptic
  statement of Jesus
• in verse 10?

Jesus said to Peter, He who has bathed does not
need to wash, except for his feet, but he is
clean all over and you are clean, but not every
one of you.
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5. What does it mean to wash one anothers
feet today?
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CONCLUSION
How do we engage in selfless service to others?
We are called to imitate the example of Jesus.
See Mark 1045