John 13:7

The Purpose of Our Gathering

Welcome archivists, streamists, extremists and all those who are none of the above but here in living color . . . and what a beautiful group they are. This is a CAMPUS gathering – morning, MILK we call it.

Our purpose is to pray together, hear the word of God set to music (and sing along if able and inclined), silently reflect for a few moments on our walk, faith, and relationship with the King, and then spend the majority of our time in the Word of God in a verse by verseTGNN’s Bible teaching series—book-by-book, through the lens of fulfillment and spiritual liberty. study. Why do we do “church” this way? Because we believe that this is what people need when they come to church. It may not be what they like – but based on what scripture tells us this IS what we need. The WASHING of the Word which, like a two-edged sword, divides between OUR mind, will, and emotion (the Soul) and the Spirit of God within us.

So let’s pray, hear the Word set to music, sit for a minute in silence and come back to John chapter 13 continuing at verse 1.

John 13:1-17

So let’s read our text for today (we might hit seventeen verses today folks!):

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put 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 was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Wrapping Up the Life of the Lord

Alright, back to verse one:

John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover,(which we talked about at length last week, right?) when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. Things are wrapping up for the life of the Lord and He knew it. The appointed hour for His passion and departure to the Father was at hand.

John adds to this acknowledgment the comment that seems to say, “While He was here He loved his own which were in the world,” and that “He loved them unto the end,” or the whole time He was with them. When John says, “He loved His own,” we could suppose He was talking about all the Sheep who are His,” (which I think is true) but I would suggest that John was specifically referring to the Twelve who He called, taught, spent time with, bore their errors, but most importantly imparting to them and entrusting them with the truths of life eternal.

Unconditional Love

Jesus' example of humble, serving, and selfless love is showcased in his act of washing the disciples' feet. Jesus embodies love, which is unconditional, both then and now. We see this in his treatment of Judas, whom he did not treat differently despite knowing Judas' future betrayal. Similarly, Jesus washes Peter's feet and teaches him, even as he foresees Peter's denial.

He is the shepherd whose love for his sheep is not dependent on their love or obedience; he loves them simply because they belong to him. His unconditional love extends to all the world, as he does not abandon the wandering and lost sheep but rather pursues them. God exemplifies this by incarnating and redeeming the fallen, bringing them back into the fold.

Proverbs 18:24 says:

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

This speaks of our Lord, as described in Hebrews:
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Trustworthy and Present

Jesus is trustworthy and always present. He remembers our trials and troubles and knows his sheep by name. No matter the storms in life, he will never let us go.

The Betrayal and Communion

John continues:
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;

The Latin Vulgate translation into English suggests supper had ended, but Arabic and Persian translations imply they were still eating. John suggests the ceremonial aspects of supper had ended, and it was after the Passover meal that Judas left to betray Jesus.

Many translations, other than the King James, include the word "already," suggesting that the thought of betrayal was planted in Judas's mind beforehand. This challenges the notion that Satan can overcome us without consent. Judas's betrayal was premeditated, with complicity on his part.

James 1:13-15 says this:
“Let no man say when…"

Temptation and Personal Weaknesses

He is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived (GREEK SOOLAMBANO – seized or captured), it bringeth forth sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God..”

Drawn away of our own lust or desires. Drawn away by Satan, sure. Like a prize fighter who sees a weakness in his opponent, Satan appears to observe weaknesses in our persons… and then capitalizes on them. A great teacher of the word (Bob Mumford) once described our propensities for certain sins as landing pads and as Satan piloting a helicopter from hell. He looks for places in our person “to land.”

In the case of Judas, it appears that something he had in his person was a love for money – what is called avarice in scripture – an extreme love for wealth or money. We know from the Gospel accounts that prior to betraying the Lord (for silver by the way) he was in charge of the bag (of money that the Lord and the apostles entrusted him with) and that he was called a robber. We also know that he was critical of the use of an expensive lotion that was used on the Lord in preparation for His burial under the AUSPICES that it could have been sold with the proceeds going to the poor (but we also know this was feigned altruism because what he really wanted to do was steal the proceeds).

The Danger of Small Weaknesses

The point is Judas had an open weakness for an inordinate love of money and it was this crack in his armor that Satan used to tempt him to betray the Lord with. There is another observation to consider here with Judas betraying the Lord – one weakness, when given into, may lead to others being explored more egregiously.

I mean Judas started off loving money – a lot of people love money, right, it makes like much easier – but would a lot of people betray God to death for it? Probably not to begin with. So that is the other point – Satan will start on a landing pad… and then build an international airport… if we let him.

For this reason Proverbs 4 tells us to “Keep (or Guard) thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Responsibility and Honesty

Jesus supported the point plainly in Mark 7:20- “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” Passages like this let us quickly reject that old Flip Wilson comedy line, “The Devil made me do it,” and help us see the sins we commit clearly: “We somehow desired what we do and the devil simply encouraged us along,” leaving us, again, responsible before God.

This leaves us with another point relative to this issue – what can we do to avoid opening our landing pads up to Satan’s hell… acopter? I would suggest that the first step is utter brutal honesty – with God, with ourselves, and with others if the occasion requires it. Nothing serves as a better preventative to the darkness of secret sin than light. So open the heart up to His light. And in my opinion what the sin is is irrelevant. Like sex with sheep, children, other men’s wives? Admit it – to God and to yourself. Drink too much, have issues with meanness, hate certain people – admit it – to them if necessary.

Embracing Light Over Darkness

See, Satan wants us to keep things secret because then they remain in the dark – the place he operates best. Be ashamed – yes. But realize you are being ashamed of what lives in your flesh NOT who you are in Christ… see, because who you are in Christ is the one who openly admits your flesh in the light – and that is good, and proves you are more light than the dark secrets you keep. So first, expose the dark to the light. Interestingly enough, you will have to love the light more than the darkness to accomplish this, so the very transparency or secretiveness will reveal to you where you stand. God is light and God loves light. There is no darkness in Him at all so

Exposing Darkness to the Light

While we might have dark proclivities or thoughts or behaviors, the willingness to expose them to the light is the first step in taking them captive. There is a great old saying that says, “a person is not truly free until they have lost their reputation.” Exposing our sins to the light before God, and self, and possibly man, also lets us see that we care more for the things of God – that we fear God more – than we fear man.

I am wholly ashamed of my dark side – and as I stated last week, where Jesus is the greatest to ever walk this earth, I am one of the worst. I do not say this to appear humble – it is a fact that I am capable of almost every human atrocity in my flesh. But in an effort to know, and please, and understand God, this transparency is requisite, and I care not one whit what men think of me and the facts of my flesh. Satan wants us to protect our reputations – he loves this man-made playground. But God wants us to fear His view of us far more than what men think.

Abiding in the Light

Once we have (and continue to) expose the dark to the light, the question must be asked, “What then do we want to dwell in, live by, and abide in?” If the response is, I want to dwell in the light, and not the dark, then the solution is always bringing light in, NOT fighting the darkness. So many religious groups talk about ways to fight the darkness – it is a very ineffective way to approach spiritual and fleshly warfare. Why? Because the focus is on the dark – it's all we talk about, think about, and tell ourselves we are going to avoid. Sooo boring, so infectious, so insipid. It’s like the old test – you ready? “Do NOT think about the World Trade Center.” What came into your mind? Right.

The Christian/biblical idea is to bring light into the dark – that’s how we get dark out of a room, right? So when we are encompassed by sin and sinful desires, we must bring light in on the subject – Him. In the human realm, the light burns brightest when supplied with proper fuel, so we read His word (light), we pray (light), we fellowship with like-minded believers who don’t dwell on the dark but on the (that’s right) light. Much of this can be accomplished by simply realizing who we are in Christ, right?

A New Creature in Christ

Paul addresses this in 2nd Corinthians 5:16, saying:

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Had Judas stopped and said to himself as he walked and learned of Jesus: “I am a new creature in Him – my old ways are gone because that is not me – all things are new about me – that old man is dead and has no power over me, the new man in Christ,” he may not have stooped to the levels he ultimately did. But Jesus knew that such desires were not in Judas to begin with – and they never would be – so he chose him, knowing from the beginning what he would do. Seeing ourselves as “Christ’s” and “only Christ’s” goes a long way in allowing the Spirit to guard my heart and keep me from former paths.

I merely consider the thought, or intention or action and allow to hear the Spirit say: “That is NOT you, Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion.,” and I am almost immediately freed from the ways of the former man.

Be honest with God and yourself – and man if necessary. Abide in the light, ignore the dark. See yourself for who you really are and never who you were.

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

It seems to me in light of what Jesus was about to do – wash the feet of the remaining eleven – that John prefaces this activity by telling his reading audience that Jesus was no common servant or slave and so to not get the wrong idea from what they are about to read. Instead, Jesus…

Jesus' Demonstration of True Service

knew “that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; In other words Jesus was fully in control of ALL THINGS, He came from God and He went to God – so get this straight. And then John relates the event of Jesus – the greatest of all, creator of all things, Son of God, Word made flesh – washing their feet.

The act of feet washing goes all the way back to Genesis, believe it or not. In the story of Joseph in Egypt being visited by his brothers we read:

“And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.”

It was a customary practice, not one prescribed precisely in the law but washings and abutions were more than common not only in ancient Israel but also in Eastern customs. Why? They inhabited a dirty, dusty land, they often wore no shoes at all (or wore open toed sandals) and entering into a home would have been really rude. So they washed feet.

I think Kathy Maggie who cleans this building would love if we instituted this practice again, to tell you the truth. Because of the way the practice is written here in the King James there are some religious groups who incorporate feet washing into their religious rituals. I may be incorrect on this but I think I remember reading that the LDS apostles do feet washing when they gather together at times. And I do know of local Christian churches that have also adopted the practice and perform it as often as they do communion. I would suggest that this is the result of human zeal to fulfill scripture.

Humility and Heart of True Service

The point being made here in the case of Jesus and his disciples, I believe and you may differ, is not in the act of feet washing but in the humility and heart of true service Jesus portrays before these men. I say this because the job was typically relegated to servants – and the attire and approach Jesus adopted in washing the feet of the disciples was that of a servant or house slave. (let’s read)

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. Here we have evidence that they were still eating as John says that “he rose from supper, or rose evidently “while they were eating.” And he “laid aside” or took off his outer garment which the Jews would do when laboring in the field or in the heat of summer. The cost was customarily without any seems and that the Romans soldiers cast lots for when He was crucified. So he set it aside and took a towel and girded Himself in the manner that a slave would.

When David sent men to collect Abigail as one of his wives she said in 1st Samuel 25:41:

“And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, “Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord,” which indicates for us from scripture that washing feet was a servants job.

Fulfillment of the Servant Role

In making Himself a servant we see (in one way) the words Paul said of the Lord in Philippians 2:7 fulfilled, which say: “But He (meaning Christ) made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Throughout the Old Testament the Messiah is described as “God’s servant,” and when we examine the actions and words of His life this is more than obvious.

The application to us here and now – His followers serve Him in the same manner He served the Father and Man. Colossians 3:24 says it plainly:

“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Becoming our mediator to the living God by overcoming sin, death, and fulfilling the Law He is whom we serve – make no doubts about it. By and through serving the Son He sent we honor and please God through Christ.

In 1st Corinthians 7:20-24 Paul addresses the topic of believers being servants (slaves) or freeman in the literal physical sense. And this is what he says:

“Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not

Servitude and Humility in Christ

"For it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: (meaning if you are a true slave or servant on earth, you are free in Christ) likewise (he says) also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”

In other words, no matter what our lot in life, we are all servants to Christ. And we see here that as His servants we do what He did – and in addition to giving up His life, and turning over His will, and returning evil with good, He also served.

Serving Christ vs. Serving the Church

Now I want to say something that many churches (LDS and not) disagree with. I do not believe that serving a church is necessarily the same thing as serving Christ. I suppose it can be when undertaken by the right person with the right heart, but mandated service projects or expectations to serve that are heaped upon us by men and their institutions does not a servant of Christ make.

His will is uniquely delivered and comes by the Spirit working upon individuals. In my opinion such service, in accordance with scripture, has to come freely and be wholly absent of MAN-ipulation for it to matter (so to speak).

Something to consider. So . . .

5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?”

Now, the way it’s written here it seems like Jesus had been washing others feet first but the original language allows us the possibility that He came to Peter first. Whatever the order from the way the Greek scholars interpret this passage every word spoken by Peter here was emphatically delivered. We might imagine that Peter pulled his feet up and under him too – actions that would match the tone of His words.

Understanding True Humility

Now, we know from other studies that Peter was impetuous. Until he was filled with the Holy Spirit (and even then sometimes thereafter) Peter would say whatever seemed to pop into his head first – whether it be asking to actually walk out on a stormy sea or to deny knowing Jesus – Peter was impetuous. But we cannot accuse Peter of being apathetic, cold, indifferent or even rebellious. He was zealously driven by His love and adoration of the Lord – coupled with some weak and impetuous flesh. Here it seems like Peter was shocked at the actions of the Lord — the Son of God, the Messiah—that He would even touch my feet – a sinner – especially as someone who has assumed the place of a servant!

Jesus responds and says

7 “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

Obviously Peter witnessed Jesus actions but they didn’t compute. It is one things to tell or teach people that they need to be humble. There is an entirely different level of understanding when we actually watch humility at work. Peter, at this point, had yet to comprehend the importance of truly being a servant – and I guess he didn’t realize how humble Jesus really was.

If we allow ourselves a minute we can come to an absolutely remarkable and unbelievable fact. Ready?

God is humble – truly, truly, really humble. We know this because God is love, because Jesus was humble, and because being all-powerful, and an all-consuming fire that controls all things and could destroy all things anytime – He chooses instead to constantly reach out to us, to love us in spite of our foolishness, to help us when we least deserve it, to save us while we are in sin.

And then He chose to condescend below all things, take on the form of man, become a servant and then be treated like the worst criminal on earth all the while asking God to forgive those who took action against Him . . . because they did NOT know what they were doing!

Jesus wasn’t pretending or feigning humility as we humans are inclined to do. He was HUMILITY. God is humility. It’s His person, His essence, His being! This realization has had a profound impact on me and my world view.

Understanding True Humility

Profound.

I used to see the humility of God and His incarnate Son as a mode of operating. No longer. It is part of their pure character. And from this I can assume that anything or anyone that is not appreciative of true humility would not appreciate being in their presence.

Next week we will cover these verses but a little bit later Jesus is going to explain something to His disciples relative to this and will say:

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, “The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”

In other words He tells them that He is (correctly) their Lord and Master, and as such they ought to do what they have witnessed Him doing – that is serving each other (as pictured with the washing of feet) and then He adds:

“The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”

A Lesson in Service

We will discuss what this tricky statement means next week but for now He tells them to follow Him by humbly serving one another.

It would be a lesson that they would learn and continue to build upon and learn their entire lives because every day of their apostolic ministries they would see the necessity of true humility, of kindness to each other, and the need to submit themselves over entirely to the will and ways of Christ.

In the synoptic Gospels James and John came to Jesus and asked Him who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. It was a question from their flesh. Jesus replies by telling them that the greatest would be like little children, who have little aspiration, little competition, little doctrine, but much faith, great humility, and a high propensity to trust and walk by faith.

Walking with God

One final application of what we have covered so far here in these first eight verses.

Jesus performed and act of humility by washing their feet and it was an action that was not understood . . . at that time. In fact Jesus even tells them:

7 “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

Is this not almost always the case when it comes to walking with God? We are often surprised, resistant, and wondering when He acts in our lives, not really or fully understanding what the heck He is up to, right?

Sometimes it comes by way of blessing, like having Him wash our feet – and it often happens when we have gotten our feet the dirtiest . . . maybe even on purpose. He’s a humble loving God. Sometimes it comes by way of correction, or discipline, or redirection – when we think we have had it right all along? Sometimes he afflicts us, disappoints our immediate places, frustrates our intentions – what’s that line, “When men make plans God laughs.”

But in every case, He is working His will to the good of those who love Him. And someday – maybe here or maybe there – we will understand and know that all He does is right.

Questions/Comments