The Gospel of John: John 13.12-26

Read and meditate on John 13.11.
Everything Jesus said was true and important. And everything Jesus did was meaningful and instructive. He wanted to make sure His disciples understood this.

                            ¹²So having washed their feet,
He took His garments and sat down to eat,
and Jesus said to them, “Now, do you know
what I have done to you?

- John 13.12

Reflect
1.  Jesus had risen from supper to wash the disciples’ feed, and now He was returning to the meal (v. 26; cf. Matt. 26.21). We’ll get to the symbolism of this act of Jesus in just a bit. For now, let’s see why Jesus thought it important to interrupt His meal to do this. Meals are times for conversation. According to Luke 22.24, what were the disciples arguing about at dinner? What does this conversation reveal about their thinking? How were they defining “great”? Complete this prayer: Lord, we are not called to seek greatness, not as the world thinks about greatness, at any rate. You want us to be great at…

2.  Doesn’t Jesus want us to seek greatness in His Kingdom? He does, but what does that mean? Look at Matthew 5.17-19 and Mark 10.42-45. How did Jesus define Kingdom greatness? What had the disciples missed here? Lord Jesus, I want to be great in your Kingdom, and this means every day…

3.  It was as this conversation was going on that Jesus got up, took off His outer garment, fetched the towel and basin, and headed for His disciples’ feet. How do you suppose they felt when they realized what Jesus was doing? What affections surged in their hearts? What were they saying to themselves? I know, Lord, that sometimes I need Your Spirit to convict me, so that…

4.  Now Jesus gives a quiz. Suppose, right at the end of verse 12, Jesus had said, “Write down your answer.” What might the disciples have written? What were they thinking now, and what were they feeling? Was it good for them to be thinking and feeling this way? Explain. I don’t like it when You convict me of my self-centered ways, but I know that…

5.  Jesus was beginning what is referred to as His upper room discourse (chapters 13-16). He wanted to make sure His students are paying attention to Him. Which, clearly, they were not. He didn’t want them to read what He was about to say through the wrong eyes. He wanted to be clear, and He wanted them to understand. So He began His discourse with a conversation stopper. Does He ever do that to you – interrupt your routines with something that jolts you, humbles you, and gets your attention? Explain. When He does this, what does it say about His love for you? Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.

Summary
“Jesus washed the feet of the disciples insofar as he was their teacher, and the feet of the servants insofar as he was their Lord. For the dust from the earth and from worldly things is cleared away by teaching, since it reaches nothing else than the extremities and lower parts of the disciples. But those things that defile the feet are also removed by the lordship of the ruler, since he has authority over those who still receive common defilement because they still have the spirit of bondage.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

Don’t fret or become anxious whenever Jesus humbles you or points out some sin in your life. Fret and be anxious when He doesn’t, or when you don’t experience His doing this. Explain.

Closing Prayer
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40.1-8

Psalm 40.1-8 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
Lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.

Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, Lord, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
Lord, Your worth who can declare?  None with You can e’er compare.

Off’rings You do not require – open now my ears, O Lord –
What from me do You desire?  Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.

T. M. Moore

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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.