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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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GOSPEL OF JOHN Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert III. SON OF GOD’S PRIVATE
MINISTRY 13:1–17:26 [18 - (Jn 13:1-38)] A. Foot Washing & Upper
Room Discourse 13:1–38 1. Jesus
Washed His Disciples Feet (1-17) a) Again
John’s writing revolved around the Feasts. This was the Passover Feast.
Having already stated it (Jn 12:23, 27), Jesus knew that His hour had come.
Therefore, He took the disciples aside and began to give comfort and final
instructions to those whom He loved in this world (Ch. 13-16). They place
where they gathered was not described in John, no doubt because it was
probably well known by this time (some 50 yrs after the death of Christ). It
is recorded in the Gospel accounts of Mark (Mk 14:15) and Luke (Lk 22:12). In
preparation for the Passover, Jesus sent Peter and John to reserve a room.
They were told to look for a man who was carrying a pitcher of water. Jesus
said, “will show you a large upper room
furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” Therefore, when Jesus
taught His disciple there, it has been called the “Upper Room Discourse.” b) Though John did not mention the place
where they met, he was the only Gospel writer to record that Jesus washed His
disciples’ feet. It was during supper that Jesus got up, girded Himself with
a towel, and began to wash the disciples’ feet. c) Foot washing was a menial task usually
performed by servants. When Jesus came to Peter, he exclaimed in amazement
that Jesus, his master, would was his feet. Jesus said he would understand
late, after the Holy Spirit was sent, but Peter rejected any idea of Jesus
condescending to a lowly position. d) But the Lord explained that Peter had to
allow Him to do wash his feet, otherwise Peter would have no part with
Christ. Peter, in typical Peter-fashion, exclaimed and asked to be washed all
over. However, Peter did not need his whole body washed, just his feet. Jesus
was washing the disciple’s feet in order to be an example the disciples. If
the disciples needed to be cleansed spiritually speaking, that would come
from their faith in Christ who would die on the cross for their sins.
Therefore, his disciples are cleansed because of their faith in Christ. e) Jesus was careful to note that not all of
the disciples were clean through His atonement. He knew that Judas was going
to betray and therefore was not a believer. f) When Jesus was finished washing all of
the disciple’s feet including the feet of Judas, He began to explain His
purpose. If Jesus, being their Lord (kurios) and Teacher (didaskalos),
washed their feet in an act of servanthood, then the disciples themselves
must wash one another’s feet in an act of servanthood. Though some do take
Jesus words as a regular ordinance for the Church, Jesus was speaking
figuratively. The orthodox ordinances, Baptism (Mt 28:19) and Lord’s Table
(1Co 11:23) are both given as commands. Foot washing was not given by
command, but as an example for the disciples to model themselves after. The
result will be that they will be “blessed” (makários - joy based on
obedience and character) if they do these things (17). g) He was desirous that the disciples would
be servants even as Christ was a servant (To God - Is 42:1 cp. Mt 12:18; Ph
2:7; To man - Mk 10:45 cp. Mt 20:26-28; Lk 22:26-27). Jesus was not only
their Lord and Savior, but their “example” (hupódeigma - pattern,
copy, model) as a servant as well. Jesus also uses the word doúlos,
which typically means slave (16), rather than diákonos, which
means servant. Both words express “servanthood” especially in ministry, but doúlos
can mean a voluntary bond-servant. 2. Jesus
Reveals His Betrayer (18-30) a) Jesus now
turns to the topic of His betrayal. Jesus made several comments regarding His
betrayal (Mt 26:45; Lk 18:32; Jn 6:64, 71) and has called Judas by several
names, “devil” (Jn 6:70), “son of perdition” (Jn 17:12). John and the other
Gospel writers were careful to record that Judas was the betrayer (Mt 10:4;
26:16; Mk 3:19; Jn 6:71; 12:4; 13:2). Furthermore, all of the Gospels record
this identification of the betrayer in the Upper Room (Mt 26:21-25; Mk
14:18-21; Lk 22:21-23; Jn 13:21-30). b) Jesus also refers to Ps 41:9 to show its
fulfillment in Judas (18). Therefore, Jesus was not taken by surprise by
Judas’ betrayal. In fact, like the disciples were chosen to be His apostles,
Judas was chosen to be His betrayer. This does not mean that Judas was chosen
to do something he never wanted to do. Rather, Judas was chosen because he
was he already was an unbeliever, thief (Jn 12:6), and willing to betray the
Lord for money (Mt 26:15). Judas was one with whom Satan would have no
problem coercing. In fact, the devil already entered Judas’ heart before the
Upper Room Discourse (13:2). Satan had gained control of Judas when he made
an agreement with the chief priests (Lk 22:3-6). Satan influenced Judas in
each step including the final one to arrange Jesus’ arrest (Jn 13:27). c) Revealing His humanity, Jesus was
troubled in His spirit knowing that one of His disciples would betray Him.
However, Jesus also revealed His betrayer to prove that He was the Christ and
the Son of God and knew all things (19). His disciples did not know who the
betrayer was and therefore Simon Peter asked John (who described Himself as
the “disciple whom Jesus loved). When John asked Jesus, He identified His
betrayer by the one to whom He gave the morsel. Jesus dipped the morsel and
gave it to Judas (26). No one, not even John and Peter (Kent), understood
what was happening. Some thought Judas was taking care of the money box and
supplies. Jesus told Judas, “what you do, do (aorist imperative of
poieō) quickly” and may have been to keep Judas on God’s timetable
(BKC) or simply expressing sorrowful resignation (BBC). Judas went immediately
out to betray Jesus. 3. Jesus
Teaches the Eleven (31-38) a) After
Judas left, Jesus began His personal teaching and comfort to the Eleven. He
first declares that now the Son of Man is glorified, meaning that everything
is put into place for crucifixion. b) Jesus was giving His the final
preparations to His disciples and told them He will only be with them a
little longer. He told them they could not go where He was going. This was a
reference to His death on the cross and His resurrection. The Son of Man had
to accomplish this alone. c) Jesus gave His disciples His most
important commandment. It was a commandment that was “new” and not like the
old commandment (Le 19:18). They were to love with “self-sacrificial” agape
love, not mere “friendly-respectful” phileō love. This love
was higher and loftier than the old commandment because Jesus disciples were
to love one another as He had loved them. It is fulfilled divinely. This love
would be the mark by which all men would know they were Jesus’ disciples. It
would be so opposite of the world, its actions, and even its love that it
could only be identified as Jesus’ love. d) The disciples would eventually be able to
follow Jesus to heaven, but for now they would have an earthly ministry.
Peter, in Peter-like fashion claimed that he already had this agape love
and was ready to give His life for Christ. But knowing all things, Jesus
informed Peter that He would deny Him three times. e) Applications: (1) Believers
and their ministries are characterized by servanthood. (2) Believers are to serve all, and especially
the brethren. (3) Believers are to be recognized by the world
by their agape love. (4) Believers must avail themselves of Christ’s
indwelling love. (5) Believers must be ever vigil not to deny or
betray Christ. |
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