The Gospel Of John Chapter 13 Pt. 2 Learn From Our Lord & Obey Our Master

You will find the archive index for years 2019 through 2021, posted on 9/7/2022. 

The index for all of 2022 was posted on January 24th, 2023.

The archives are a tool to help you in your Bible study, by listing the topics and dates that our studies were posted. 

We studied through the gospel of John beginning in April 2020 and stopping at the end of John 12, in August 2020. 

The previous lessons on John's gospel can be viewed in the blog's archives.

John 13 to 17 gives us the instructions and truths that Jesus taught His disciples. John recorded intimate details of the last hours, leading up to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. 

Jesus did the unthinkable by rising and girding Himself in order to wash the disciples' feet. This menial task was normally done by a slave in the home. 

Peter balked at the idea that Jesus, the Son of God, would stoop so low as to wash his feet. 

However, Peter quickly changed his mind when Jesus said that Peter had no connection with Christ, if his feet were not washed. 

Thus, Jesus gave us a beautiful picture of being a servant leader. 

Jesus is both Lord and Master. 

John 13:12-13  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13)  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  

Our Lord previously told Peter that he would know later, His intent and purpose in washing their feet (John 13:7). Now, Jesus begins to make good on His promise.

Foot washing was an Eastern custom of great antiquity, as a mark of showing hospitality to guests (See Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 1 Samuel 25:41;  Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44 and 1 Timothy 5:10).  

Jesus said that His disciples called Him Lord and Master, and that they were right in doing so.

The name "Lord" is a title given only to God, and it connected Jesus with the "LORD" of the Old Testament, which is Jehovah.

Jesus proved He is LORD with each miracle that He did. Jesus' disciples had no doubt that He was Creator, and God in the flesh. They were witnesses of all that Jesus did and said for more than three years.

Knowing Jesus as Lord means obeying Him because He is God. Knowing Jesus as Lord means our highest loyalty is to Christ and none other.

The name "Master" is particularly used of Jesus, because He showed men the way of salvation, through repentant faith. 

Knowing Jesus as Master means learning God's truth from Him. Knowing Jesus as Master means to respond by faith to the gospel He teaches.

Our Lord and Master washed His disciples feet as an example for us. 

John 13:14-15  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15)  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Why did Jesus wash their feet? He was Lord and Master, and they naturally expected that a slave would take care of foot washing. Yet, Jesus did this to them.

Jesus washed the disciple's feet to show them that they must cultivate a servant's heart. He showed them that they (and we) be willing to take on even the most menial of tasks, if it ministers to others. 

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

See how Jesus' words recorded by Matthew, connect with His humility in washing their feet. All people are carrying various burdens, due to our sin, or the sins of others. 

Jesus, our Lord and Master, calls to us saying "I will give you rest. I am meek and lowly and will minister to your needs." The ultimate ministration of Jesus Christ for us is His work on the cross. 

Jesus suffered for us, leaving us a perfect example, that we might follow in His steps (See 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).

The idea of having an example given to us by Jesus, means we pattern our life after His. Jesus is Creator God manifest in the flesh, and He humbled Himself to wash the disciples feet. 

Therefore, we ought to minister to one another within our local church family. We should desire to display the same tenderness, and have the same spirit that Jesus had toward those who were afflicted and outcasts. We ought to be willing to meet other's needs, when we are made aware of them. 

Visiting the shut ins, taking meals to those who are recovering from illness, helping other Christians however we can. Serving God to the best of our abilities as we seek to love our neighbors, families and enemies. This is the bold and good example Jesus gave for us to follow.  

In Christ's church, the strong are needed to help the weak.

Romans 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Paul reminds us that the Spirit of God places believers into the body of Christ, and He gives gifts to each one, as He deems best. 

In each local church, there are people who are strong and those who are weak. Some are well off and some are poor. The whole idea connected with foot washing is having a servant's heart toward one another. 

Christians who are able should help brothers and sisters who are weak with infirmities. 

We must put others before ourselves.

Philippians 2:3-4  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4)  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

The apostle Paul teaches us that each believer in Christ should esteem others better than ourselves. 

We naturally gravitate toward thinking of our own needs and making our own plans first. 

Jesus is teaching us that we must look beyond ourselves, and see the burdens and needs of other Christians. 

In addition to taking care of our own needs and providing for our own families, we are taught to be our brothers keeper. This is part of loving our neighbors and loving Jehovah God. 

John 13:16-17  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.17)  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Jesus said very plainly that a servant is not greater than their master. The application is this: Jesus is our Master and we are His servants. 

If Jesus stooped to the lowly task of washing feet, we too, must be ready to do whatever task we can, to help others. 

If our Lord and Master suffered, we too, must expect to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

Matthew's gospel tells us that John's mother, asked that her two sons be allowed to sit on the right hand and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28).

This bold request caused some strife and contention among the other disciples. 

Mark's gospel tells us that on another occasion, the disciples were arguing among themselves, about which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Mark 9:33-37).

This is why Jesus gave them an example to follow. Those who want to be great in the kingdom must first be servants. Those who want to draw near to God must do so with child like faith. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

If Jesus is truly our Lord, then we must submit to His authority and obey His commands.

If Jesus is truly our Master then we must patiently sit and learn truth from Him.

If Jesus is both our Lord and Master, then we must follow His example. 

We must "put off" being self absorbed and thinking too highly of ourselves.

We must "put on" the attire of a servant, having a heart that is willing to stoop and meet the needs of others.

We must not be those who promote ourselves at the expense of others. We must not be those who seek glory and honor for ourselves.

Instead, we must see Jesus for who He is and follow His example.  If the Creator and Sustainer of all life can humble Himself to meet others' needs, then we too must humble ourselves and minister to others. 

May our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, lead us to a full understanding of these truths, so that we might serve Him faithfully and happily until He returns to take us home. 

Bob