This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for July 20
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Jesus both describes and demonstrates servant-leadership in today’s text. The scene is the Thursday night before his crucifixion. The Passover Supper described is the same one reported by the other Gospel writers, in which they tell how he instituted what we call “The Lord’s Supper” (Communion). This introduces the second section of John’s Gospel where love is a key theme.

Jesus and his 12 disciples came into Jerusalem from Bethany. They met in an upper room. No servant performed the customary practice of washing the feet of the guests who had just walked in from dusty roads.

The Passover Meal/John 13:1-3

Verse 1. It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. In the eternal plan of God the proper time had come (John 12:27). His public ministry to the Jews was ending, and he was preparing to die for the sins of the world. This would be the “uttermost proof of his love” (Knox). His disciples would remain in the world when he returned to his Father in Heaven (see John 17:6, 9, 11).

Verse 2. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. A year before, Jesus said that one of them was “a devil” (John 6:70). Judas had now given himself completely to follow Satan’s bidding.

Verse 3. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God. Jesus was fully aware not only of what Judas was doing, but all that was to happen to him (see Philippians 2:5-11).

The Servant’s Role/John 13:4-17

Verses 4, 5. So he got up from the meal . . . and . . . began to wash his disciples’ feet. Since none of the disciples had been willing to perform this menial task, Jesus did. Peter must have remembered the incident years later when he wrote, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (1 Peter 5:5).

Verses 6-9. 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 . . . . 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!” Christ’s confrontation showed Peter’s impulsiveness. He exclaimed, “Lord, will you wash my feet?” Jesus explained that this act symbolized the purification all would receive through his sacrificial death.

Verses 10, 11. 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. A person going to a feast would bathe at home before leaving. When he arrived, all that was needed was to wash the dust of the road from his feet. J. W. McGarvey notes that the saying is true spiritually as well. “One who has once been washed thoroughly by baptism needs not to be re-baptized. After that general cleansing the particular sins are removed by confession” (1 John 1:7-9). Even though Judas had his feet washed and ate with them, he was not spiritually clean because his heart was impure.

Verses 12-14. “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.” Even working as a common servant, Jesus remained worthy of all respect and adoration. No matter how important you may be, you must serve others.

Verses 15-17. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Jesus did not institute footwashing as an observance for Christians. He said, “Do as I have done,” not “what I have done.” “No servant is greater than his master.” This object lesson in humility rebuked the jealousy and pride they had shown at this very meal (see Luke 22:24-27).

The Traitor’s Act/John 13:18-20

Verse 18. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’” Judas’ betrayal was no surprise to Christ. By divine foreknowledge, he knew Judas would choose to do this, even when he called him to be an apostle long before (see John 6:64, 70). The Scripture Christ quoted (Psalm 41:9) describes the worst form of betrayal—turning against a friend with whom you have just shared a meal.

Verse 19. “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.” All of the many predictive prophecies were understood by the apostles after the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost (John 14:26).

Verse 20. “Whoever accepts anyone I sent accepts me.” Jesus taught this before (see Matthew 10:40). He reaffirms it for all who will continue his mission (see John 20:21). |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.