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John 13: The Lesson of Humility at the Last Supper
August 19, 2025 · 13 min
A discussion on how Jesus exemplified humility and forgiveness through washing the disciples' feet.
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The Example of Servanthood and Love 0:09 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for tuning in this morning as we take a look at John chapter 13, which gives us insight into really the final hours of Jesus before what he0:21 describes as his glorification. Verse 15, for I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. So what's the example that Jesus has provided for us? Well, stick with me because we're0:33 gonna talk about that this morning. Verse 1, 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 were0:45 with him in the world. He loved them to the end. He loved them to the uttermost. Verse 2, and supper being ended, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's0:56 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,1:09 took a towel, and girded himself. Now we are about to read the well known account of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, which is very instructive, but the context1:20 which John doesn't provide makes this event an even more powerful illustration. Now from Luke's account of the Last Supper, after the institution of the Lord's1:32 Supper and the announcement that 1 of the disciples had betrayed him, there arises an argument, once again, between the disciples as to who was going to be the greatest.1:45 Verse 24 of Luke chapter 22. Now there was also a dispute among them as to which of them should be considered the greatest. Now they had this argument many times. As we'll see here in John, the1:58 disciples were still clueless as to what lie ahead. They were still thinking that Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem just a few days prior on the prior Sunday,2:12 was, you know, was a precursor to a, a heaven inspired political earthquake that was going to put them into power. And so they were they were, you know, they were arguing over the positions. I mean, who's2:24 gonna be the secretary, the minister of defense? Who was going to be the chief of staff? What was going to be the pecking order in this new administration? And this is most likely the backdrop to what2:36 happens next. Verse 5. 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. Then2:48 he came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him, Lord, are you washing my feet? Jesus answered and said to him, what I'm doing you do not understand now, but you will know after3:00 this. Peter said to him, you shall never 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, not3:12 only my feet, but also my hands and my head. And Jesus said to him, he who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is but is completely clean, and you are clean, but3:24 not all of you. For he knew who would betray him. Therefore, he said, you are not all clean. Now let's stop here for just a moment and explore this conversation between Jesus and Peter. Now3:36 based upon what some of the scholars think, and and I'm in agreement with this view, I think Jesus is preparing Peter for the forgiveness and restoration that is going to3:48 happen after the crucifixion, after he denied Jesus. Walking, you know, through the, the illustration is walking through the the dust in your sandals, your feet, well, they get dusty and they get4:00 dirty. And when you would enter when you would return home or you would enter into a home, you would wash your feet, and then you would be clean. Walking through this life, you know, the4:11 reality is, unfortunately, because of our nature, we're gonna sin. But not all is lost. Not not if we have been washed in the blood of Jesus. Because if we have been4:23 cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we just need to clean our feet, and our sins will be forgiven and will be entirely clean again. And that's what I think Jesus is instructing. You know, as he instructed his disciples to4:35 forgive over and over and over again, if someone sinned against them, it communicates that the lord is ready and willing to forget forgive us no matter how many times our4:47 feet get dirty. And and and so he was telling Peter, you don't have to wash your your whole body, just your feet. Just, you know, repent and clean up and get right. Verse 12.4:59 So when he had washed their feet, taken his garment, 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 I5:11 am. If I then, your lord, and your teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash 1 another's feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to5:23 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.5:35 So here is the example that Jesus sets for us. They were arguing about who was going to be the greatest, and Jesus doesn't just tell them, knock it off, guys. He shows them5:47 a living parable, and this is the reality. He has called the church, us, believers, followers, his followers to serve, not to rule. We need to5:59 pray to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, not to be consumed with a passion to be great, but with a passion to serve others in a way that brings glory to god. Now that sounds easy,6:11 but it is challenging. But that's what Jesus is providing the example of. So next, Judas goes into action. Look at verse let's drop down to verse 27. Now after the6:23 piece of bread, Satan entered him, that is Judas. Then Jesus said to him, what you do, do quickly. But no 1 at the table knew for what reason he said this to him, for some6:35 thought because Judas had the money box box that Jesus had said to him, buy those things which we need for the feast or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he went then went out6:45 immediately, and it was night. That's usually when bad things happen under the cover of darkness because those in the darkness love the night. Now I I I don't wanna pass over this too quickly6:57 without pointing out a few aspects of what just transpired here, what we just read about. What does it mean that Satan entered him? Now we briefly touched on this before.7:09 This didn't just happen. I mean, it wasn't like all of a sudden, Judas just fell off the wagon. Alright? This was a progression. Just as sanctification is a process. When we are7:21 sanctified by the spirit and by the word, it is a process. You know, we're we are justified. Okay? When we come to Christ, we are justified. And then the sanctification process begins, and it's a7:33 lifelong process. Then we're glorified when we reach into eternity. So the the same is true here. There is this counter process, to those7:45 who open themselves up to Satan and to the works of darkness. Judas had already made the deal at this point. The 30 pieces of silver were probably in his pocket. And and this is7:57 this was more than just a slippery slope. Okay? He had plunged into the abyss. His conscience seared by repeated acts of stealing from the money bag and covering his sins rather than8:09 confessing his sins. His heart was hardened. He had sealed his own faith. There's a warning here. There's a warning as we've talked about before. You can refuse to hear, and eventually, you can't hear. You can8:21 refuse, and and you can repress the the the conviction that comes from sin, and eventually, you'll become it'll become commonplace. Alright. Verse8:32 31. 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 him8:44 immediately. Now you gotta really follow John because sometimes you get to what what did he say? So Jesus here didn't say he was going to be crucified. He was referring to that, but that's not what8:56 he said. He said he was going to be glorified. So let me ask you this question. In whose world could death on a cross be considered glorification in gods? Jesus was going to be9:08 glorified, not because of the cross, but because of the obedience that led to the cross, which resulted in the glorifying of god.9:20 Look. Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. Our purpose our purpose for being here is to glorify God, to come into relationship with him, and to glorify him in all that9:32 we do. Now recall what we just read in chapter 12. Alright? 12, 28. Father, glorify your name. Then a voice came from heaven saying, I have both glorified it and will glorify it again. This9:44 was pointing to what was about to happen on the cross. I've you glorified me in your obedience, and now you're gonna glorify me again in your obedience even to death on the cross. Verse 33. Little9:55 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,10:07 that you love 1 another as I have loved you, that you also love 1 another. By this, all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love 1 for another. Wow. What a clear10:20 standard. A standard, by the way, that's only obtainable by the power of the holy spirit living in us because it's impossible to to dwell in unity and love without the power of the10:32 holy spirit, sanctifying each of us so that together we might live in unity. Simon Peter said, verse 36 to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, where I am10:44 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. I think Peter had10:56 great attention. I know he gets a bum rap, but, I mean, Peter Peter was is a man of action as we read in the book of Mark. But Jesus said to him, will you lay down your life for my11:08 sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied me 3 times. We need to be careful what we promise unless we're prepared, and we're only11:19 prepared through the power of the Holy Spirit. Father, we thank you for your word and the example that Jesus has provided. And, Lord, I I can relate to11:31 this, and I and I pray, Lord, along with all of those who are joining today. Lord, may our hearts not be set on greatness, but, Lord, may our hearts be set on glorifying11:43 you by serving. And, Lord, by honoring you and lifting up the name of Jesus so that the father would be glorified. So we continue to look to the Holy Spirit for both direction,11:55 guidance, insight, and understanding. And we thank you, and we pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning, and until next time. Keep standing12:06 on the word.12:10 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word Bible Reading Plan available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you12:22 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 The Example of Servanthood and Love
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