A Day In The Life wk 4 John 13 - Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet 06/05/2011 Why didn't Jesus just tell a parable about a king or master who washed his servant's feet? his disciples were in the middle of an argument and he needed to shock and grab their attention. This week I was distracted Easy to get distracted, get so used the message of Christ. We sometimes need to be shocked and surprised so God can grab our attentions LifeKids mission Grabbing kids attention so that Jesus can grab their hearts John 13:1-17 1 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. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. [Luke 22:24] 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? 7 Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. 8 No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. 9 Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well! 10 Jesus answered, A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his 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 I tell you the truth, 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. PRAY Setting
Disciples along with Jesus arrive at the room. Probably in festive attire since the Passover was the single biggest day, and the Passover meal, the single biggest meal of the year. As Jewish Law dictated they would gather around a low table reclining on pillows, each resting his left hand as to leave the right free. Illustration: Leonardo da Vinci painting (15 th century, all on one side, on chairs) & more realistic picture Ridiculous and humiliating: a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest. (Luke 22:24) Seems like picture of my children, not grown men. What were they arguing over? Maybe foot washing, more likely order around table! Disagreed on who should have the best seat, who was of highest 'rank'. Seat to left of Christ was most prestigious position (Judas), and the seat to the right of Christ was the second best (disciple John) Illustration: picture of table and where people sat After all were seated, the supper then would begin. As was Jewish custom a ceremonial cup would be prepared (a mixture of wine and water), blessed and then passed around. At this point it was custom for the host (Jesus) to rise and wash his hands, a ceremonial observance Probably weren't paying attention until Jesus took off His upper garment, gird himself with a towel and poured water into basin, dressed like a slave who was about to perform a lowly task. Illustration: pictures of what this could have looked like Since Peter occupied the end of the table Jesus came to him first 1. Self Sufficiency (vs 6-8) Jesus took an act, the ceremonial handwashing which was set aside for the distingushed head of the table, and changed it into footwashing, in which the Lord would be distinguished from others, but by the humblest service of love. Poop on their feet! Peter responded 'No way! I will not allow you to do this! It came out of personal affection for Christ, but it was also an unwillingness to submit to Jesus and what He would do on the cross Peter was displaying the pride that so easily grips each of us. So confident in his own ability to save himself that we instinctively resist the suggestion that we need divine intervention. This idea is offensive! We desire to do everything for ourself. Truth: Jesus tells Peter very bluntly that there can be nothing in common between them, and that Peter will have relationship with Christ, unless Peter allows Jesus to do what He desires to do. If you refuse to submit your life to Christ you will forfeit your place by His side. Peter can t take any action himself to earn a place with Christ, completely dependent on Christ. Surrender + Submission = Salvation (surrender alone = giving up/resignation; submission alone = unwillingness/resentment) Have you surrendered your life and submitted to Jesus Christ? 2. Performance for God's Approval (vs 9-11) Peter, in his exuberance, declares to Christ that he then should wash his whole body! At first he resists what Christ is offering, and then overlooks what Christ has done and goes to the other extreme of wanting even more. No other works is required for us to be clean beyond what Jesus has done on our behalf. Works Mentality: most Christians understand that it's by God's grace we are saved not works,
but most Christians talk and act under the belief that it's our works which keeps God's favor and pleasure with us. Not true! Christ has already done that! It s not Christ + = right standing with God. It s Christ + Nothing! Vs 10: Jesus answered, A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you. o This verse creates some confusion, as Jesus seems to be implying that additional washing is required. If Jesus intends for His own washing of the disciple's feet to be symbolic of the total washing of salvation, then why would he have obscured this truth by adding this statement about a bath + washing of feet being necessary? o ESV: 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." Possible explanations: o Some scholars feel the 'except for this feet' was added later. Perhaps by a scribe who failed to understand the spiritual significance of what Jesus was doing and imagined Jesus was drawing attention to the social custom that the man who arrived for a banquet after having bathed at home needed only to have his feet washed on arrival at his host's house. o Painting a picture of life in Christ after salvation? After salvation (a full bath, cleansing through Christ's sacrifice) a picture of sin/toxic influences is like dust that would adhere to a traveler's feet as we journey through life. While our body remains clean we should remove the dust from our feet through spiritual practices like confession, forgiveness, time in God s word, and reconciliation. If not this dust could diminish our impact on others (track dust into someone's house) or slow our progress. o An example in humility, service and love for us to follow. Life in Christ to be lived out in service and love in contrast to self-seeking life. He even washed Judas feet! 3. An Example for Us To Follow (vs 12-17) Worldly Glory vs. Kingdom Glory o World: glory is in power and title; those who exercise authority are esteemed. Power, money, things, success = greatness o God's Kingdom: reversed (upside down kingdom), 'self-forgetful humility' instead power wielded over others, service instead of control is the path to greatness and to authority; the towel is the way to the throne Vs. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. What He s NOT saying: o The more we do good for others the more God loves us. Our good works don t drive God s love for us, but God s love for us drive our good works. o The more we serve the more favor we have from God. Our service doesn t drive God s favor for us, but God s favor for us drives our service. o The more we obey the closer we are to God. Our standing with God is not dependent on our obedience, but on Christ obedience alone. o Does it really matter if we love and serve others as Jesus teaches? What is our blessing? Illustration: Video Change The World o Wayne & Marijane hosting international muslim students in their home
o Steve Buhr & Julie Jones pouring themselves into children each week through Konnect o Bob & Joy dreaming about how ro use profession in organic farm to invest in Kingdom o Ryan & Andrea Crozier laying down everything to move to Romania o Kim Hockaday rescuing unborn child from a young girl who is pregnant and frightened o Kyle Ruthig idea to take useless cell phones and have a Kingdom impact o How is God wanting to use you to change the world? PRAY 1. Ready to surrender and submit your life to Christ. 2. Carrying burden of trying to earn God s approval and favor. 3. Desire to change the world.
Notes: Dress and the table: http://theholyhouse.org/table.aspx Da Vinci's last supper: http://www.art-reproductions.net/da-vinci-leonardo/the-last-supper All on one side of the table so no one has their back to the viewer. Washing the disciple's feet: http://www.google.com/search?um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=x&ei=84rntaqoa5getgerwow4cg& ved=0cdkqvwuoaq&q=jesus+washing+the+disciples+feet&spell=1&biw=1280&bih=699 Time of Communion Luke 22:15-16 And he said to them, I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. Jesus began his ministry with the sacrament of baptism; he is ending his ministry with the sacrament of the Lords Supper. Both point to Christ' death: Baptism: we are buried with Him, we also rise with him; Lords Supper: we remember His Death, and also that He has defeated death and risen again; also points forward to the Great Supper at the final consummation of His Kingdom For the Passover Supper all Israel was gathered around the Passover Lamb in commemoration of the past, in celebration of the present, in anticipation of the future, and in fellowship in the Lamb, so has the Church been ever since gathered together around its better fulfillment in the Kingdom of God. Life & Times of Jesus the Messiah Communion is a reminder that Christ is always present with us, and not only in the bread and juice, but that he is actually the Host as well. Luke 22:17-20 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said,take this and divide it among you.18for I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,this is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. 20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying,this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Philipians 2:5-7 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature[a]god, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b]of a servant, being made in human likeness. Where did Jesus and Judas sit at the Last Supper? http://www.biblestudy.org/biblepic/where-did-judas-sit-atthe-last-supper.html The above seating explains: 1) Why Jesus whispered to John about who the traitor was (John 13:21-27) 2) Why Jesus would first had tne sop (bread dipped in whine) to Judas (John 13:26-27) 3) Peter and John could interact about Jesus' comments about a betrayer, and Peter directing John to ask Jesus more about it (John 13:23) 4) John could recline back against Jesus (John 13:25) 5) No one else at the table understood what had transpired when Jesus tells Judas to do quickly what he's about to do (John 13:27-28)