October 23, 2005
"Do You Understand What I've Done For You?"
What Makes God Smile?—Part 4
John 13:1-17
1. Jesus loves and serves his disciples.
Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served...so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
—John 13:1-5
Love prompts service!
Question: Are you motivated by love to serve others?
2. Jesus loves and serves Peter.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
—John 13:6-11
Note: In these verses Jesus refers to two types of cleansing.
A. Cleansing that provides union. (Sonship)
"A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
—John 13:10
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
—Titus 3:4-7
B. Cleansing that provides communion. (Fellowship)
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
—John 13:8
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
—1 John 1:7-9
Question: "Do you want me in your life?"
3. Jesus asks us to love and serve one another.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
—John 13:12-17
Questions: Do you understand what I've done for you? Do you see what it is I want you to catch? Will you do what Jesus has asked you to do?
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them..., "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
—Luke 22:24-27
The path toward greatness is reflected in a bended knee and a dirty towel!
Evaluation: Consider the following questions and score yourself on a scale from 1-10.
What is your motivation for serving others?
| Obligation | Love | ||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Would you let Jesus wash your feet?
| Too embarassed | My shoes are off | ||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Have you caught what Jesus asked you to do?
| Still confused | Crystal clear | ||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Will you do what Jesus asked you to do?
| I'm not ready | The towel is on | ||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
What Makes God Smile?—Week 4
Personal and Group Study
Getting Started
- Who in your family or church would you nominate for a servanthood award? Why?
- Have you ever been involved in a foot washing service? If so, describe your experience.
Digging Deeper: John 13:1-17
- What does Jesus realize, that the disciples have no clue about? (Look at verses 1, 3 and11) Why did the disciples not have a clue?
- The passage says, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." How does Jesus show the full extent of His love?
- What impresses you about Jesus washing the feet of the disciples?
- How did Peter react to Jesus wanting to wash his feet? Why do you think he reacted the way he did?
- What did Peter understand about Jesus wanting to wash his feet and what did he not understand?
- Jesus says, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." And, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean." What is the point Jesus is making? What new meaning would these statements take on after Jesus' death and resurrection?
- How did Jesus expect the disciples to follow his example? How is a person blessed if he does what Jesus did?
Applying It To My Life
- In your family relationships, what would it mean to practice foot washing?
- How might people in the church practice the equivalent of foot washing?
- If Jesus were to wash your feet today in a new and meaningful way, what would he do for you?