The Gospel of John Chapter Thirteen Pt. 1 Servant Leadership Of Jesus Christ

The first verse of John 13 is like a summary of all that will follow in chapters 13 through 17. 

This is similar to the first 18 verses of John's gospel that introduces all the subject matter that He was led to record. 

Jesus loved His disciples to the very end. 

John 13:1  Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 

Almost every topic that comes up in John 13 to 17 is linked to this text. These texts are a transition from Jesus ministering on earth, to Jesus ministering from heaven through His disciples.

The cross looms large and the public ministry of Jesus is over. He spent His last hours having one on one teaching time with His disciples. 

Why did John emphasize that Jesus loved them unto the end? Because Jesus is our perfect example. He was given the Spirit of God without measure, and the primary fruit of the Spirit of love (See Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13). 

It is that wonderful love of God shed abroad in our hearts, such that, if any man loves God, the same is known of him.

Jesus was ready for the cross, ready to return to His Father.  

John 13:2-3   And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3)  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;  

The time frame is the week of Jesus' passion. This is a holy week that culminates by observing the Passover's sacrifice. 

This is the evening of the last Passover supper that Jesus would observe with His disciples. This is the night when Jesus will be betrayed and arrested. 

Thus, the events John wrote about occurred mere hours before Christ would die on a cross, to pay for our sins. 

Jesus knew that the hour of His death drew nearer. He knew that when His work on the cross was completed, He would leave earth and return to His heavenly Father. 

Jesus loved His own disciples unto the end of His ministry on earth. On the eve of His greatest sufferings, Jesus was not self absorbed with contemplation about what was in store for Him.

Rather, He loved His own unto the end. He was concerned for their welfare, not His own.  He knew that His disciples would struggle, after they witnessed the horrors of His crucifixion. 

Therefore, by loving them unto the end, Jesus poured Himself into their lives, He gave them intense instruction that they would need.

Jesus was returning to the Father in heaven and His disciples would remain on earth, and they had to be ready for gospel ministry. Christ was anticipating that joyous reunion with His Father. 

Jesus did not give His disciples a rousing pep talk. He did not do more mighty miracles to bolster their faith. 

He simply taught them truth in order to anchor their hearts to the scriptures. 

Jesus gave His disciples (and us) an example for how to live for God's glory. 

When the last supper was over, the Devil prompted Judas to slip out, in order to betray Jesus. 

However, as we read further into John 13, we see that the supper has not yet been served, so Judas is still among the others at this point. 

Jesus knew all of this beforehand and was not distraught. He knew the Father had put all things into the hands of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus' spirit was buoyed, knowing that He came from God and was going to God. 

Jesus became like a lowly slave washing feet. 

John 13:4-5  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  

Jesus did a most unusual thing. He took a towel and filled a basin with water, and began to wash the disciples feet. 

Normally, this was a function performed by the lowliest person in a home, a slave. Yet, Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the incarnate Son of God, took on this humble duty. 

Notice also, that foot washing took place before a meal and Jesus was doing something that His disciples left undone. 

Since Judas Iscariot was still present, Jesus washed his feet as well. It was one last invitation to this man, to turn from his wicked ways.

Peter did not understand why the Lord of glory would do this.

John 13:6-11  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7)  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8)  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9)  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10)  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11)  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

When it was Simon Peter's turn to have his feet washed by Jesus, he resisted. Lord, are you washing my feet?" 

Peter knew Jesus was the Son of God, the Savior and Messiah. 

He could not imagine that the God of glory who created all things, would stoop so low as to wash his feet. 

Jesus told Peter that the foot washing was something he would not understand at that moment, but he would understand it later.

Impetuous Peter jumped up and exclaimed that Jesus would never wash his feet. Jesus told Peter that he would have no connection with Christ, if his feet were not washed.

Peter impulsively said, "Lord don't just wash my feet, wash all of me." Yet, washing only the feet was necessary. The disciples forgot this duty and Jesus took initiative to wash each disciple's feet. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Christ's love demonstrated a loyalty to His disciples to the end. The God who controlled all things by the word of His power, chose to wash their feet, the lowliest task that could be done (Hebrews 1:3).

The Father gave all things into Jesus' holy hands, and our Lord took those hands and washed their feet. Jesus knew His rightful place within the Godhead, but He humbled Himself to take on this lowly work. 

Our feet carry us through a world defiled by sin and some of the world's filth sticks to us. 

Foot washing is a beautiful picture of God's salvation, whereby when we first trust Christ, we are initially cleansed, fully pardoned and forgiven. 

Yet, we live and walk in a world contaminated by sin. Like the disciples of Jesus, sometimes our feet will become soiled and need to be washed anew. 

Foot washing is a beautiful picture of a Christian coming to God, confessing sins, seeking forgiveness and cleansing as the Father promised.

May the words of John the apostle wash over our souls, and bring us peace and comfort.

When we sin, let us quickly come clean before God and He will cleanse us, just as He promised to do.

Bob

1 John 1:7-10  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8)  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.