Jesus Teaches About Footwashing John 13

Jesus Teaches About Footwashing
John 13

Just before the feast of passover, Jesus knew that the time was coming when he would leave this world and return to his Father in heaven. And when the supper had ended, Jesus rose up and put aside his clothing, and took a towel and wrapped it around himself. After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel which he had wrapped around himself.

Then he came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" and Jesus answered him "You don't know what I am doing now, but you will know after awhile." Peter said to him "You shall never wash my feet." and Jesus said "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." and then Peter said "Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head." Peter wanted the Lord Jesus to know that he loved him so much. But Jesus said "He that is washed needs only to wash his feet, and everything is clean, but not all of you are clean." Later on Jesus explained to them that they were clean because they had heard and believed the words of his teachings. Jesus said not all of them were clean because he knew that Judas would betray him.

After he had washed their feet and had dressed again, he said to them "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and it is good that you say that because I am. If then, I, your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. Truly, truly I say to you that the servant is not greater than his lord. If you know these things, (those things that he had taught them) you will be happy if you do them.

Jesus was teaching his disciples that the most important thing was that they should be servants to each other, helping each other, and encouraging each other by daily sharing the words he had taught them, He was teaching them that one person was not more important than the other. Knowing that they should do these things, he was telling them that they would only know peace if they did them.

Memory Verse: John 13:14 "If I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you should also wash one another's feet."

Questions.
1. Why do you think that Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet?
2. What was the lesson that Jesus was trying to teach the disciples?

Answers.
1. Because he did not think that he was worthy to have his Lord wash his feet.
2. That they were clean through believing the words he had taught them, and that they needed daily to be servants to each other by sharing his words, helping them and encouraging them.

Vicki C. Gross/Nov'02

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