The Gospel of John: John 13.1-11

Read and meditate on John 13.11
John has already told us that Jesus knew what was in every person (Jn. 2.24, 25), and we say, “Of course! He’s God. He knows everything.” That’s true, but since we who believe in Him have the mind of Christ, we should consider if we might not be able to know more of what Jesus knows, and if so, how?

                                                           ¹¹For Jesus knew
who would betray Him. So He said, “But you
are not all clean.”

- John 13.11

Reflect
1.  How many of the disciples’ feet did Jesus wash? What did He know about the next 24 hours as He was washing their feet? Washing His disciples’ feet was a gesture of love (v. 34), which He freely and humbly made, knowing that it would not be reciprocated by all of them. What do we learn about the love of Jesus from this? Complete this prayer: Lord, I’m sure I don’t always love like this. My love for others tends to be selective and even conditional sometimes. Help me to love, Lord, as…

2.  Is it fair to say that Jesus loves the lost people in your Personal Mission Field? Even though some of them may never come to believe in Him? How is His love for them evident to you? What are the implications of this for your relationship with these people? I know You love the lost, Lord, and I want to love them, too, because…

3.  Jesus knew who would betray Him. God had already revealed that in His Word. Look at Psalm 41.9, Psalm 55.12-14 and Psalm 109.1-16. Jesus specifically quoted Psalm 41 in John 13.18, and Peter cited Psalm 109 as referring to Judas (Acts 1.16-20). Does this teach us anything about how to read the Psalms, and all Scripture (recall Jn. 5.39)? Explain. Do you think that, if we read Scripture more from the perspective of its being the story of Jesus and His work of redemption, we might have a better understanding of the Bible? Of what Jesus wants for us? Why? Lord, I confess I don’t always look for You when I’m reading Scripture. Sometimes I’m just reading, and sometimes I’m looking only at the surface of the text. I want to know You better and grow in You and Your grace. Help me as I read Your Word to…

4.  One of those whose feet Jesus washed was not clean. Why not? He’d been with Jesus and the disciples from the beginning. He’d preached, done the good works the others did, and was publicly identified as a follower of Jesus. But he was not clean, yet he managed to fool even his colleagues. Explain. Is there a caution for us here? Lord, let my faith be daily proven and increased as I…

5.  Why is Jesus being so indirect and secretive about His betrayer? Why didn’t He just point the finger at Judas and tell him to get on with it? What was the effect of this indirection on the other disciples? Jesus was pleased to let His disciples think about it for a while. Is it good for us to introspect regarding our faith? Explain. Bring together into one your prayers from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Jesus clearly knew that Judas felt no kindness or wise consideration for his master. He also knew that Judas was full of devilishly bitter poison, and even while [his feet were being washed by Jesus] he was devising the means to betray him. Nevertheless, Jesus honored him just as much as the rest of the disciples and washed his feet as well, continually exhibiting his own unique love. Jesus did not express his anger, in fact, until he had tried every kind of objection. Note how this special quality is distinctive of the divine nature. Although God knows what is about to happen, he brings his punishment prematurely on no one. Rather, after bearing with the guilty for as long as is possible or necessary, when he sees them in no way profiting from the delay but instead remaining in their self-chosen evil ways, then he finally punishes them, showing it to be actually the result of their perverse folly and not really an effect of his own counsel or will.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

Faith and discipleship are not earned, but they must be proven. Explain.

Closing Prayer
O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
Let them be confounded and consumed
Who are adversaries of my life;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor
Who seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
O God, You have taught me from my youth;
And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

Psalm 71.12-17

Psalm 71.12-18, 3 (Solid Rock: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less)
O God be not too far from me; my ever-present Helper be!
Consume and shame my enemies; let them reproached and humbled be.
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

But as for me my voice I raise to sing in hope and constant praise!
With saving grace my voice will swell Your never-ending grace to tell.
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

O Lord, I praise Your righteousness, Who me from youth have taught and blessed.
Forsake me not when I am old, ‘til I Your mercies all have told!
    A Rock of habitation be; command Your Word to rescue me;
    My Rock and Fortress ever be!

T. M. Moore

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Men, God is calling you to pray. Watch this brief video, then seek the Lord about joining our Men at Prayer movement.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.