Preface
The public ministry of Jesus has ended. He has been rejected by Israel, and He now turns to His disciples to prepare them for His coming death. Jesus gave four major discourses. In the Gospel of Matthew are the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), the Mystery Parables Discourse (chapter 13) and the Olivet Discourse (chapters 24 & 25).
Chapters 13 through 17 of John cover the Upper Room Discourse. It is the longest of His discourses, and it is most meaningful to Christians today. Why?--because it is a series of truths revealed to His disciples, many of which have application to the believer today. It also depicts one of the most unusual and significant events between Jesus and His disciples posted in the Word of God, which is His example of humility and service as expressed in the washing of His disciples’ feet.
Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity and true Deity, leaves heaven’s glory and comes to earth to take the place of a slave to wash the feet of His disciples. In the preceding chapter the feet of Jesus were anointed with fine and expensive spikenard. But here the feet of the disciples are washed with water. This speaks volumes to the student of God’s Word. The feet speak of the walk of a person. As Jesus passed through this sinful world He never contracted any defilement whatsoever. The anointing of His feet with spikenard tells of the sweet savor of the walk of our Lord. This is not true for anyone else be they saved or lost. Everyone else is defiled as they walk this world, to include the Disciples of Christ. Their feet needed washing.
Notice that Jesus did not wash their feet with blood. This is important! Many fine Christians continue to “plead the blood” or pray for their sins to be “covered by the blood” or talk about “coming anew to the fountain filled with blood to be cleansed.” This dishonors our Lord. The blood of Christ was shed once and for all--for all. Once a person accepts Jesus alone by faith alone, the blood of Christ cleanses that person from all sin--past, present and future--in one application and for eternity (Hebrews 10:14). Never more does that person need to plead for a cleansing by the blood. But even though our sins --for salvation and eternal life--are permanently covered by His blood, we still need to be routinely washed (forgiven for sins) as far as our walk through this life is concerned. This washing is for the restoration of the filling of (control by) the Holy Spirit, which restores true service and fellowship. This washing is necessary for present joy and peace in this life and for rewards in eternity to come.
John 13:1-11
Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
The supper recorded in this passage is not designated by John. Whether it was the “Last (Lord’s) Supper,” as mentioned in other Gospel accounts, or simply a regular meal is uncertain. An examination of the activities during and immediately subsequent to it argues that it was, or at least preceded the “Last (Lord’s) Supper.”
Jesus now knew “His hour” (to be crucified) had come to depart this world and go on to the Father. He had always shown great love to those who believed in Him. Now it says that He loved them “to the end,” which can be translated “to the uttermost” or “He now showed them the full extent of His love.” In the meantime He understood and, in fact, always knew that Satan had already commissioned Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.
He was fully aware that His Father had placed all creation under His power and that having come from His Father, He would now be returning to Him. In fact the betrayal by Judas Iscariot was an integral part of His return trip. He then got up from the meal, removed His outer garment and wrapped a towel around His waist. This act showed that he was taking the place of a slave. The recording of this event would be most appropriate in the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of the Perfect Servant. The fact that it is recorded in this Gospel, the Gospel of the Son of God, makes it even more remarkable. Here the message is powerful and awe-inspiring. This symbolic act demonstrates clearly that Almighty God loved His creation so much that He left the ivory palaces of heaven, came to earth to take on the limitations of His creation and minister to it.
The use of open sandals during that time made it necessary to wash one’s feet frequently. A host, out of common courtesy, would often arrange for a slave to wash the feet of his guests. Here the Divine Host became the slave to perform this menial task of service. When it was Peter’s turn he exclaimed in disbelief, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus informed Peter that he wouldn’t understand the meaning of what He was doing until later, meaning, after the cross. But Peter insisted that Christ should not stoop so low as to wash his feet. To this remark Christ responded, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Herein lies the fundamental truth embedded in the Gospel, which is that unless a person accepts Christ and His work he can have no part with Him, here or throughout eternity. Herein lies the principal difference between Christianity and religion. Whereas religion centers on man and what he can personally do to obtain the approbation (approval) of God--to no avail; Christianity centers completely on Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary, which may only be accepted by faith alone for obtaining the approbation of God.
Peter, still not understanding, nevertheless reacted in concert with his boisterous nature by over compensating with the following remarks, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” In reply Christ went on to amplify the spiritual lesson that He had been attempting to convey to His disciples. He explained that a person who had a bath needs not to take another bath, but he only needs his feet washed. The “bath” speaks of the permanent cleansing one receives at salvation--cleansed once and for all from the penalty of sin by the blood of Christ.
The washing of one’s feet speaks of the continuous need to be forgiven from the pollution of sin committed by a believer in his daily walk. This washing is not for salvation but for the restoration of the fullness of (control by) the Holy Spirit and spiritual fellowship with God. This is done by application of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17), the confession of known sin (1 John 1:9) and the principle of faith (Colossians 2:6).
There is one bath but many foot-washings in Christianity. Religion has no bath, and its foot-washings are ineffectual. Christ informed His disciples that they were indeed clean, that is, they had their bath (regeneration); with the exception of one of them. He spoke of course of Judas Iscariot.
John 13:12-17
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Upon completing the symbolic lesson of washing His disciples’ feet, Jesus re-robed, sat back down and asked them if they understood the spiritual lesson He had demonstrated. The passage reveals no answer by His disciples, but it may safely be assumed that they were mystified by His activity. In light of their bewilderment, Jesus goes on to explain. They were correct in recognizing Christ as “Teacher and Lord,” because that was true. But now He needed them to know the “least is greatest” rule of the Kingdom of God. His example showed that the highest rank in the power structure of the Kingdom is that of servant. He went on to stipulate that as He had ministered as a lowly slave to them, they should minister in the same manner to each other. If He, as the Teacher and Lord, had washed their feet, what excuse could they have for not washing one another’s feet?
Was Christ instituting a church ordinance whereby members should literally wash each other’s feet. No! The act was an example--a representation of a spiritual truth. He was telling them that they each had a responsibility to each other, that not one of them was any better than anyone else and that they should minister to each other--by helping in the learning of Bible doctrine, by praying for each other, by staying in close fellowship, by encouraging each other--so that all would be successful in living the Christian life. His example was truly a graphic demonstration of “one for all and all for one.”
Yet the most significant point of His demonstration was, as He put it, “A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.” This teaching point involves an attitude that contains no room for pride. There is no room for self-importance or self-adulation. The minister of the church, the deacon of an assembly, the evangelist in a meeting--all are no more important than the janitor who sweeps the floor of the auditorium wherein they minister. Unfortunately, because they are so routinely subjected to the praise from those around them, they often lose sight of this important lesson from Jesus Christ. This may bring them to a spiritual fall and wayward journey outside of God’s will. Jesus says that it is not only important to understand this spiritual concept, but it will bring blessings for the believer (minister, evangelist, deacon, minister of music, theologian, Sunday school teacher, etc.) who applies it.
The Apostle Paul did practice this principle of humility. As he went from place to place, continuing his trade as a tent-maker (Acts 18:3) in order to alleviate others from having to support him, he always thought of himself as the “worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and encouraged believers to honor one another above themselves (Romans 12:10). Likewise, the Apostle Peter persuaded the brethren to attire themselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5, 6).
If the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, could humble Himself by coming to earth and becoming a man in order to take our sins and submit Himself to spiritual death in our place as payment for our sins, how in heaven’s name can any of us think of ourselves as better than anyone else? You say you are handsome? You think yourself beautiful? You harbor many talents? You are strong and athletic? You have a marvelous voice and can play many musical instruments? You are able to preach and teach like an Apostle Paul or Peter? Your IQ soars through the roof? You have been blessed with many possessions? Then, never forget that all of these talents and qualities come from God. Give Him the praise and the glory for everything, and submit your talent, your beauty and all your abilities to Him and to service for your brethren in Christ Jesus. This is the lesson Jesus would have you learn from this passage of Scripture.
John 13:18, 19
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.
Christ confirms that He is giving instructions to all but Judas Iscariot. Judas is excluded because he had always “lifted up his heel” against Christ, that is, he had always rejected Christ. Jesus knew the Scripture concerning Judas must be fulfilled, such as in Psalm 41, where Judas is referred to as “my own familiar friend.” He tells His disciples that He is telling them this in advance, so that they will be convinced of His Deity. Verse 19 is best translated, “Now I tell you before it comes [to pass], that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I AM.” The Jesus of the New Testament is the Jehovah of the Old. He is the great I AM (Exodus 3:14). Jesus continually proclaimed His Deity. It was important that His followers knew He was God. It is no less important for believers to know today that Jesus Christ is God, the Second Person of the Trinity. This concept is a critical transitional element in understanding the next verse.
John 13:20
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."
Although Jesus wanted His disciples to understand there was a traitor among them, His primary reason for divulging this fact “in advance” was to reinforce their understanding that He was the Son of God and that anyone who would receive Him was in fact receiving God the Father. But more than this, He wanted His disciples to understand that the link didn’t stop with Him. It extended to anyone whom He would send. This was a lesson--and honor--which would particularly “hit home” with His disciples after His death, burial and resurrection. They then would fully understand that as individuals and masses accepted them and the Word of God that they preached, they were in reality accepting Jesus Christ and thereby accepting God Almighty. This is both a heavy and glorious responsibility for the person who brings God’s Word to the lost of this world. It is a charge that applies to every single believer in Jesus Christ. This fact, of being linked with Jesus Christ and thus to God the Father, is both comforting and encouraging to the believer who fully accepts the Word of God.
John 13:21-30
When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
Now the thoughts of Jesus focused on the betrayal of one whom He had attempted to love, teach and lead for such a long time. This thought emotionally disturbed Christ, and He again lamented that one of His disciples would betray Him. This baffled the disciples. They each looked around the room at each other, and each wondered to whom their Lord could be referring. Peter, without speaking a word but probably with a nod of the head and a lifting of his eyebrow, motioned to the disciple “whom Jesus loved” and was leaning up against Jesus (in those days they reclined at meals), to ask Jesus of whom He spoke.
It is generally accepted that this disciple was John, the human writer of this Gospel. Although as God He loved all men equally, Jesus, as the “Son of Man” (His humanity), showed special attention to John. As human beings it is difficult not to show more affection to those who reciprocate affection or who are more submissive and agreeable. Jesus was fully human, and as such, He apparently displayed extra affection toward John. Additionally, and maybe this has bearing on the issue, John was probably a cousin to Jesus. The following is noteworthy about the Apostle John.
The biblical data furnish considerable information about him, at least more than is available on most of the apostles. Zebedee was his father (Mk 1:20) and Salome his mother (Mk 15:40; Mt 27:56). A comparison with Jn 9:25 makes it probable that Salome was the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. . . . Despite his weaknesses, and perhaps even because of them, John was given a specially close relationship to the lord as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” leaning on His breast at supper. He was the first of the apostolic company to believe in the resurrection on the basis of what he saw in the empty tomb (Jn 20:8). It was his insight that detected the risen Lord as the one responsible for the great catch of fish (Jn 21:7).
(Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Everett F. Harrison, Ph.D., Senior Professor of New Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California)
John probably leaned even closer and whispered into Jesus’ ear, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered by saying that it was whomever He would give a “dipped” piece of bread. There are two positions regarding the practice of dipping and sharing of a piece of bread, which was dipped into either wine or a meat sauce. Some suggest that it was the custom of the Eastern host to give such a morsel to the honored guest at a meal. If this was the case, then Jesus was attempting at the very end to win Judas over by exhibiting His grace and love. Jesus was again extending His friendship. Judas was at the crossroads. Jesus was keeping the door open to the very last. Jesus knew what Judas would do, but “foreknowledge is not causation.” Even though Jesus knew what Judas would do, He did not force him to do it. Judas still had the ability to exercise his will to turn from Satan’s influence and turn to Christ in faith. Others suggest that the bread was commonly passed in this manner in connection with the Passover supper. If that is the case, then Judas left during the Passover supper and before the “Lord’s Supper” was instituted.
Upon taking the dipped bread from the hand of Christ, Judas was given over completely to Satan's control (“Satan entered him”). Satan rarely takes over a person all at once. He works gradually in conjunction with the will of a person. There are many small and incremental steps that permit a person to become completely subjected to the will of Satan. Judas had ample opportunity to accept by faith the Lord Jesus Christ, but each time he refused, choosing rather to associate himself with the apostolic company for material gain. J. Vernon McGee in Thru the Bible puts it this way.
Judas makes his own decision. God never sends a man to hell unless that man first of all sends himself there. You see, God ratifies human decision; God seconds the motion. When a man says that he accepts Christ, God says, “I second it; I receive you.” When a man says that he rejects Christ, as Judas did here, God says, “I second the motion.”
Now that Judas was filled with (under complete control by) Satan, he still remained subject to the will of God. So Jesus tells him to go quickly and do his dastardly deed, that is, God was giving Judas permission to carry out the next step in God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. But even after informing John of the act that would expose the traitor, no one at the table knew exactly what Christ meant when He told Judas, “What you do, do quickly.” Some thought Jesus was simply telling Judas to go out and purchase the necessary food for the feast. Others thought Jesus was giving Judas instructions to provide for the poor. J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, again provides cogent remarks.
Notice that our Lord did not beg for support. They had a treasury, and they carried on their business in a businesslike way. It also tells us that the Lord did not feed them miraculously. They had to go and buy food. They were not some “far out” group. Judas was the treasurer. There is always a temptation in the handling of money--which is equally true today. At the Passover season donations were given to the poor; so the disciples thought this may have been what the Lord asked him to do with the money.
Judas went out and “it was night.” Not only was it nighttime while they were at their meal, it was now an “eternal spiritual night” for Judas. He had turned down Jesus Christ on many, many occasions. He was finally given over to Satan and now had no more opportunity for eternal spiritual life. This is what “troubled” Jesus. He is always troubled when a person, after repeated attempts by God’s Holy Spirit to bring him to Christ by faith, who selects not to utilize such faith and turns away from Jesus and His sacrifice on Calvary. Does this mean that the power of God’s Spirit is ineffectual? No! The Holy Spirit effectually convinces the person that he is lost and that he will be eternally punished for his sins unless he turns by faith alone to Christ. Of this, and because God’s Spirit is effectual, he is certain. Yet, in the “image of God,” he is given the ability to make choice, which he alone may exercise. This is the final step in the salvation process. If he, the person--not the Holy Spirit making the person--chooses of his own “free will” to accept Jesus and His work on Calvary, he will be saved and given eternal (permanent) spiritual life. Judas chose not to accept Jesus, and this act by Judas deeply hurt the Lord.
John 13:31-35
So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
For the first time Jesus addresses His disciples as “little children” (a term of personal relationship and endearment) but He does so only after Judas had departed. Jesus was to be with them only a little while longer, and these remarks initiate the “Upper Room Discourse.”
Now Jesus speaks more freely and intimately as His thoughts turn to the cross. It is at the cross that He says God will be glorified. It is only in the finished work by Jesus Christ upon the cross of Calvary that God, holy and just in His character so that He cannot pass over sin but also as a loving God, who does not desire spiritual death of the sinner, satisfies all His attributes by justifying the sinner through the substitution death of His Son. And Christ will also be glorified by God raising Him from the dead to ascend to the right hand of the Father in heaven.
As Jesus informs His disciples that He is soon to depart and that they will seek Him but will be unable to follow Him, He then provides them with what many term as the “11th Commandment.” Note the following from the Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald.
During His absence, they were to be governed by the commandment of love. This commandment was not new in point of time because the Ten Commandments taught love to God and to one’s neighbor. But this commandment was new in other ways. It was new because the Holy Spirit would empower believers to obey it. It was new in that it was superior to the old. The old said, “Love your neighbor,” but the new said, “Love your enemies.” It has been well said that the law of love to others is now explained with new clarity, enforced by new motives and obligations, illustrated by a new example, and obeyed in a new way.
Also it was new, as explained in the verse, because it called for a higher degree of love: “As I have loved you, you also love one another.” The badge of Christian discipleship is not a cross worn around the neck or on the lapel, or some distinctive type of clothing. Anyone could profess discipleship by these means. The true mark of a Christian is love for his fellow Christians. This requires divine power, and this power is only given to those indwelt by the Spirit.
The most important commandment for the Christian is not to “witness,” not to “serve;” but to love one another. It is important that the lost world not be exposed to the “gossip” of believers, but to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And this is properly illustrated by believers who truly love (an impersonal love--an agape or completely unselfish love) one another. How is this love manifested by believers? Read, study and digest the details in 1 Corinthians 13.
John 13:36-38
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.”
Peter did not understand that Jesus spoke of His death. He asked again of Jesus His destination, thinking He was going on some earthly journey. Jesus replied by saying again that where He was going Peter could not follow; although, in time (speaking of Peter’s death) he would be able to follow. With typical devotion and enthusiasm, Peter still wanted to know why he could not follow, since He was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. Peter thought he was capable of enduring martyrdom by his own strength for his Lord. Later he did in fact die for Christ, but it was because he had been given special strength and courage by God.
Jesus most likely stunned Peter into disbelief by predicting that he would deny Jesus three times before the night was over. Here Peter is placed on notice, as every believer should register the same, that it is impossible in one’s own power to serve God. Humanity is awash in weakness, cowardice and inability--it is totally unable to empower the believer to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Only when one allows the Holy Spirit to take control, by the principle of faith, can one be empowered to properly and fully follow Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:6).
|
