November 18, 2002
LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 1
Service to others is a good way to imitate Jesus
___John 13:1-38
___By Robert Creech
___University Baptist Church-Clearlake, Houston
___John 1-12 presents Jesus' revelation to old Israel, which rejects him. He comes to his own, and his own do not receive him (1:11). This section, the Book of Signs, contains the series of seven miraculous acts Jesus offers as testimony to his claims. The second act of the Gospel's drama, the Book of Glory (chapters 13-20), reports the arrival of Jesus' hour of glory, the cross and resurrection. In this act, Jesus reveals himself to new Israel, his disciples, who, believing in him, become children of God (1:12).
___Act 2 opens with Jesus' classic act of humility. The narrator's introductory remarks set the stage (13:1-3). The event occurs just before the Passover feast. Jesus is fully aware of all that is about to transpire. He loves these disciples and prepares to show them the full extent of his love. The evil one is at work as well. He has already inspired Judas Iscariot to carry out his treachery. Jesus knows all these events are in the Father's hand. Therefore, with great confidence, he teaches his disciples a powerful lesson.
___Jesus rises from the table to perform an act normally required only of a servant. He washes his disciples' feet as they recline at the table! Having bathed 11 pair of dirty feet, Jesus finally comes to Simon Peter. Peter offers a heartfelt protest. He knows himself to be unworthy of such an act. Jesus insists, and Peter reluctantly complies (13:6-11). Jesus then explains that such service as humbly washing one another's feet is to become normal behavior among his followers (13:12-17).
___Although he loves his disciples deeply, Jesus is painfully aware a traitor sits among them. The reader has known of this from the time Judas' name first appeared in the story (6:70-71; 12:4; 13:2). In fact, this deed is so treacherous that every time the narrator mentions Judas, he recalls this infamous act.
___Now Jesus speaks directly to the Twelve about his betrayal (13:18-21). His disciples, who struggle always to grasp Jesus' meaning, also wrestle ineffectively with this announcement (13:22-27). Despite what appears to be a clear identification of Judas as the culprit, no one seems to get it (13:28-29).
___Ironically, Judas is the only one who understands. He takes a piece of broken bread from the Bread of Life and goes out to betray him to the authorities. Judas leaves the Light of the World and disappears into the darkness of night (13:30). He will emerge from the darkness later, bearing artificial light, to complete the deed (18:2-3).
___With the community of disciples now reduced by one, Jesus commences his "farewell discourse" (13:31-17:26). This extensive account of Jesus' teaching reflects his final words of instruction to his followers. These teachings focus on those essential elements of truth his followers will need to grasp in order to survive without his physical presence. Jesus carefully selects the themes and skillfully weaves them in and out through this section. Ideas surface and then disappear, only to resurface later with a new emphasis.
___Jesus speaks to his friends of the importance of community, of love, of dependence upon the Holy Spirit, of obedience to his own teaching, of enduring persecution and of his coming again. He instructs them concerning his own relationship to the Father and to the Spirit. He gives them the gift of his peace. Jesus teaches them about prayer, and he intercedes for them, offering his beautiful high priestly prayer (17:1-26). He drives these important lessons home repeatedly in this final session with his friends, his apprentices.
___Appropriately, the first topic he takes up, following the unforgettable demonstration of humility and service, is the importance of community. While Matthew, Mark and Luke contain Jesus' ethical instructions on a variety of topics, John's gospel reports only one ethical commandment--"love one another as I have loved you" (13:34-35).
___Jesus calls this a "new commandment," not because God had never issued the commandment before (Leviticus 19:18), but because it is elevated to a new place. This love reflects a new standard ("as I have loved you"), calling for new expressions of unselfish sacrifice. The commandment is new because Jesus now offers it to the world as the basis for judging the authenticity of his followers' claims ("by this all men will know that you are my disciples"). The commandment is new because we never fulfill its demands. Always, fresh opportunities arise to obey it.
___Peter, who in contrast to Judas and other would-be disciples in 6:68 affirmed his loyalty to Jesus, affirms it again (13:37). He means what he says. No matter where Jesus is going, Peter intends to follow--even if it means laying down his life. Jesus knows both of Peter's good intentions and of his weaknesses. He predicts Peter's failure (13:38) as well as his eventual success (13:36). The words of Peter and Jesus echo through the story of Peter's rash attempt to save Jesus from arrest (18:10), his denial of Jesus (18:11-27) and his eventual restoration (21:1-22).
___Questions for discussion
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