Jesus Washes Disciples Feet

Announcements

This Month's Topic: Christian Service

Scripture Reference: John 13:1-16

Discussion Objective:

Opening

Give an overview of why we don't talk politics in church or group settings in light of the past weekend events and the national election.

Let's intentionally go through what Jesus knew was happening here to put His acts of service in perspective: 1) He loved those that were around Him at the meal, 2) Judas was being convinced to betray Him in a way that we cannot imagine, 3) Jesus know He was going to die a horrible death soon. All of this was going through His mind as he prepared to wash their feet. When you are betrayed or know something bad is happening, what does it take to turn your focus onto others?


1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.

V1-4: Discuss biblical time hygiene from a high level

Jesus' disciples didn't understand why He was serving them in this way. How does it make you feel when someone wants to serve you without you asking for help? Why do we not ask for help?


5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”
11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

V5-11:

He acknowledges that He is their teacher & Lord and goes on to say that is given as their example to follow (after He is gone perhaps?). What does this mean for us as disciples and followers of Christ?


12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

V12-16: None of us are greater than the other regardless of our role in the Kingdom or in life.

What barriers do you have that need to be broken down to both ask for help and allow others to serve you?

Notes from same book of the bible

File Chapter Resource
1_John Overview - Bible Book Overview
Nathaniel Believes 1 Teaching
Philip Tells Nathaniel 1 Discussion
I Was Blind But Now I See 9 Discussion
Jesus the Resurrection and Life 11
  • Discussion
Countercultural Church Death Brings Life 12 Teaching
Love One Another as I Loved You 15 Discussion
Not of this world 18 Teaching
Grief becomes Joy A Father's Willing Sacrifice 20 Teaching
Grief becomes Joy A Father's Willing Sacrifice (conflict 2023-04-09-09-49-44) 20 Teaching
Father Sends Jesus Sends Us 20 Discussion