The Gospel of John The Humble Servant John 13:1-20 A T EVENING JESUS ENTERED the upper room with ten of the disciples. Simon and John met them there. The table was neatly set. Already the prescribed foods had been brought in, filling the room with a rich aroma: lamb, unleavened bread, a sauce of bitter herbs, wine. The table, low to the ground, was shaped like a C so the servants could enter the middle and approach each place. One would not sit at such a formal meal. The table was furnished with low couches on three sides of it; one reclined on these. The room was spare. There were few ornaments in the house of the Essenes. Along the wall another narrower table held water and towels. A rug received the sandals of the people as they came in. Already the candles were lit. It was dusk outside. Breezes bent the candle flames. Shadows were gathering at the high ceiling. Jesus, when he had removed his sandals, went to a central place at the table. The others found places to the left and the right of him. Jesus motioned them to recline. So, in a genial ripple of motion and chatter, the twelve disciples lay down on the couches, crooked their left elbows, and propped their heads on their hands. Jesus continued to stand, looking down both sides of the table. I he said, With all my heart I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover among you before I suffer Conversation ceased. Faces tilted toward him: his people, frowning, questioning, exhibiting surprise and a sudden blinking pity his foolish people, still ignorant of what was to be, though he had told them; he had told them! He had said it clearly and often. His poor sheep-people, his munching followers, his disciples. I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 1 VIII The Upper Room Discourse Chapters 13-17 A. The Last Supper Chapter 13 1. Jesus washes the Disciples Feet Verses 1-20 a. An Introduction Verses 1-3 Introduction: First it is probably worth noting that Jesus gave four major discourses. They are: The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7; The Mystery Parables Discourse, Matthew 13; The Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24-25; and of course the Upper Room Discourse here in John 13-17. I recommend you go back and read the first three on you own. As we join Jesus and the disciples we find them sitting down to celebrate Passover. The Upper Room Discourse takes place in this setting. But you may notice that something is missing for John s account. What is it? It is a record of Jesus initiating the Lord s Supper out of the celebration of the Passover. Why is this? I can t say for sure, but I believe Dr. McGee is probably on the right track when he states Notice that this took place at the Feast of the Passover. Supper being ended is literally supper being in progress. This is not the Lord s Supper. Actually John does not even record the Lord s Supper. 1 Wangerin Jr., Walter; The Book of God, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 2010, p. 578-579.
Why does John omit something so important? I think it is because at the time John wrote, there were already Christians who were making a ritual out of the Lord s Supper. There is a great danger in putting importance on a ritual rather than on the person Jesus Christ. It is more important to know the Word of God than it is to partake of Communion. There is no blessing in Communion apart from a knowledge of the Word of God. An apologetics professor, whom I had, said that it was Christ in your heart and bread in your tummy. The bread in your tummy won t be there long; Christ in your heart is the essential. I believe that is why John omits telling about the Lord s Supper. 2 A second point I want to make before moving into the passage proper is to clarify the question, is John talking about the Passover Supper or something else? This is because of the wording of verses 1 and 2. Verse 1 would seem to lead to the conclusion that John is referring to a meal other than the Passover. We read in the Apologetics Study Bible If it was just before the Passover feast in verse 1, did John intend for the meal of verse 2 to be a different one from the Passover? Probably not. Verse 1 is a small paragraph that functions as a headline over all of chapters 13 17. Verse 2 then describes the very Passover meal that had just been mentioned. Not only did various details match the accounts from the other Gospels that are more clearly based on Passover, but only on that night would anyone have imagined that Judas was leaving to give something for the poor (v. 29). The feast lasted for a week, so he could also have needed to buy more provisions. 3 And while I don t always like going into this much detail, since this apparent discrepancy is used by critics to try to undermine scripture, let me give you one other scenario which I believe is probably the best understanding of this passage. It s from John MacArthur. The answer lies in understanding that the Jews had two different methods of reckoning days. Ancient Jewish sources suggest that Jews from the northern part of Israel (including Galilee, where Jesus and most of the Twelve were from) counted days from sunrise to sunrise. Most of the Pharisees apparently also used that method. On the other hand, the Jews in the southern region of Israel counted days from sunset to sunset. That would include the Sadducees (who of necessity lived in the vicinity of Jerusalem because of their connection with the temple). Though no doubt confusing at times, that dual method of reckoning days would have had practical benefits at Passover, allowing the feast to be celebrated on two consecutive days. That would have eased the crowded conditions in Jerusalem, especially in the temple, where all the lambs would not have had to be killed on the same day. Thus, there is no contradiction between John and the Synoptics. Being Galileans, Jesus and the Twelve would have viewed Passover day as running from sunrise on Thursday to sunrise on Friday. They would have eaten their Passover meal on Thursday evening. The Jewish leaders (the Sadducees), however, would have viewed it as beginning at sunset on Thursday and ending at sunset on Friday. They would have eaten their Passover meal on Friday evening. 4 Oh and just in case you ve forgotten what was going on behind the scene It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, for they said, Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people. (Mark 14:1 2 ESV) 2 McGee, J. Vernon, John I: The Gospels, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1991 3 Cabal, Ted, ed., The Apologetics Study Bible, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2007 4 MacArthur, John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, John, Moody Press, Chicago, IL 1985-2009 ) 306 (
1. Jesus washes the Disciples Feet: a. An Introduction: Having touched on some general points let s move on. And just to give a preview, if the title of this lesson wasn t enough, this section presents Jesus as our model of the humble Christian walk. But bear with me as I don t think I ll get past the introduction this week. Verse 1: First John links this Passover with Jesus Hour which has finally come. This is a vital connection because Passover is the celebration of God s freeing His people from the bondage of slavery to Egypt. It is celebrated with the sacrifice of the Pascal/Passover Lamb. Since this all pointes to the Messiah as God s sacrifice for sin, His sacrifice would happen at Passover. In this sacrifice we find freedom from the bondage of slavery to sin. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:20, 22 23 ESV). Jesus hour, John notes, included going home to the Father. Though the most difficult part of His journey was shortly to come it also meant His return to heaven was coming soon. He was looking forward to the same thing we are, although with a much deeper meaning than we ll ever understand, being home with the Father. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8 ESV). John also notes the reason for Christ s coming, the love of His own, an unending love. It was this love that carried Jesus on through to the end, the Cross. On the other hand it is God s love via the Cross that allows His children to be loved by and love Him through out eternity. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19 ESV). It is this love that drives everything. It is this love that motivated Jesus to be willing to experience the wrath of the Father for our sin. And it is God s love that causes Him to hold off on the judgment against a fallen world. Verse 2: John, continuing with his introductory remarks to the next section of his gospel, gives us another parenthetical comment. He tells us of Judas intent to betray Jesus. Now if we read it carefully we know that Satan had already encouraged Judas in this direction before this supper. In the Synoptic Gospels we are told that Judas had already made an agreement with the powers that be to betray Jesus. Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, What will you give me if I deliver him over to you? And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him (Matthew 26:14 16 ESV). Satan himself was behind this. He was the one who motivated Judas actions. I would note though, that just as we understand God s hardening hearts from our discussion over the last ) 307 (
couple of weeks, Judas wasn t some poor soul minding his own business. Judas had been an embezzler. Judas was, for whatever reason, ready and available to literally sell out Jesus. Satan, taking advantage of this, encouraged Judas to actually move ahead with his betrayal. Satan, in his arrogance and commitment to destroying God s program to save humanity believed that betraying Jesus would bring its end. It was this same pride that prevented him for understanding God s love and sacrificial mercy and that by his actions he was helping bring about the fulfillment of God s purpose. But this shouldn t surprise us as it was the blindness resulting from pride which brought about his fall in the first place. How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. (Isaiah 14:12 14 ESV) Now I want to make a parenthetical remark to John s parenthetical remark. We ll get back to the introduction in just a moment. Those who betrayed Jesus come from His own followers. Judas betrayed Him to the powers that be. The disciples as a whole betrayed Him by fleeing when He was arrested. Peter denied Him. We face the same dangers today. Our greatest enemies often come right out of Christendom. Whether we re talking about bad doctrine or individuals who came from traditional churches starting cults Satan is right there trying to destroy the Christ s Body. I had a sad example of this exact problem this week. And individual who is struggling with pain and suffering was apparently led to believe by the teaching at their church that their problem may well have either been a generational curse or the result of some unconfessed sin from their childhood. This is terrifying because it can lead to a believer feeling totally helpless and defeated, turning them from God and to give up. This is why we re told Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. now many antichrists have come. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us (Matthew 7:15; 1 John 2:18 19 ESV). And what is our responsibility? Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1 ESV). Verse 3: Now, back to the passage. Jesus was well aware of Judas. But he wasn t a major concern because Jesus knew the Father s truths which would carry Him through the rest of this week. They were: 1). He had authority over all things; 2). He had come from the Father and; 3). He was returning to the Father. What do these three truths refer to? ) 308 (
1). He had authority over all things: No one, the powers that be, Satan or Judas had any real power over Jesus. He had come to be the propitiation for our sins. He had come to go to the Cross. Those against Him would actually assist in carrying out God s program. And no one would take Jesus life. He even had the power over that. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30 ESV). And while Jesus didn t want to have to face the pain of the Cross He was willing to because of love, He had nothing to fear from anyone or any power. 2). He had come from the Father: Jesus knew who He was. He knew He was carrying out the will of the Father. There was no question about the validity of His identity or purpose. Now this truth comes with some unanswerable questions. We have no way of knowing exactly when and to what extent Jesus grew in His understanding of these truths. We can t say much except it appears He fully understood by the time He began His ministry. We do see that He had some comprehension as early as 12 because when His parents came looking for Him After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. he said to them, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father s house? (Luke 2:46 49 ESV) 3). He was returning to the Father: As we have already noted, in the midst of great trials we can receive great comfort from the knowledge that at the end we go to the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While Jesus knew that He was shortly to face the greatest suffering ever experienced He also knew that at its end He would return to the Father bringing them both great glory. Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2 ESV). Jesus also knew that through His suffering that not only would He return to the Father but He would make a way for all who are His to go to the Father. Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:20 22 ESV). Conclusion: And so John closes his introduction. Jesus rises to act. He does so in total confidence, knowing that Judas will betray Him. But at the same time He knew His purpose and that none could interfere with it. He knew from whence He had come and to where He was going. Now He had two things left to perform, another teaching opportunity for the disciples ) 309 (
The Upper Room Discourse and the great work for which He had come, payment for your and my sins. Now there are two fundamental truths we can take from these three verses. First it is God s love that is the foundation of our salvation. Verse 1, which serves as an introduction to Chapters 13-17, tells us that Jesus loves us this I know for the Bible tells me so. Paul addresses this directly when he says For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6 8 ESV). In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10 ESV). And second is the truth that all things are in God s hands. Nothing can interfere with His will and that is the foundation of our security in the midst of an insecure and evil world. we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28 39 ESV). ) 310 (
The Gospel of John The Humble Servant John 13:1-20 VIII The Upper Room Discourse Chapters 13-17 A. The Last Supper Chapter 13 1. Jesus washes the Disciples Feet Verses 1-20 a. An Introduction Verses 1-3 Introduction: (Mark 14:1 2) 1. Jesus washes the Disciples Feet: a. An Introduction: Verse 1: (Romans 6:20, 22 23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 John 4:19)
Verse 2: (Matthew 26:14 16; Isaiah 14:12 14; Matthew 7:15; 1 John 2:18 19; 1 John 4:1) Verse 3: 1). (John 19:30) 2). (Luke 2:46 49) 3). (Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:20 22) Conclusion: (Romans 5:6 8; 1 John 4:10; Romans 8:28 39) Personal Application: This week read all of Chapter 13. Consider how love underlies all of we find here and how that should play out in our lives. Prayer for the Week: Father help me to show love to others because You first loved me. In Christ s name, amen.