Humbleness, Holiness and Happiness
March 13, 2019
Commentary
Chapter 13 gives an account of the Last Supper and of the beginning of the Lord’s farewell message to His disciples. They met together in the Upper Room to observe the Passover. Jesus knew that “His hour was come” (v. 1), and that Judas would soon betray Him (v. 2). Jesus knew that he had come from God and would go back to God (v. 3). In His last few hours together with them, Jesus taught His disciples the importance of humbleness and holiness which lead to happiness.
1. Humbleness (vv. 4-5) The disciples must have been shocked when Jesus took the towel and wash basin to wash their feet. It was customary in Palestine for a servant to wash the feet of guests because the streets were dusty, and people wore sandals without socks. Since there was no servant present and the disciples were too proud to perform this menial task, the Lord did it. He gave them an unforgettable lesson in humility, and by His actions, rebuked their selfishness and pride and told them how to have a close family.
2. Holiness (vv. 6-11) As Peter watched the Lord wash his friends’ feet, he strongly objected to this act of humility. Jesus explained that when a sinner trusts the Savior he is “bathed all over” as his sins are washed away and forgiven. However, as the believer walks in the world, it is easy to become defiled (have dirty feet). He does not need to be bathed again but simply needs to have that defilement cleansed (I John 1:9) so he can have a clear conscience.
3. Happiness (vv. 12-17) We can see how humbleness and holiness will bring true happiness. Jesus knew that he was going to die soon, and he was having His final meal with His family. What would you want to tell your family if you knew this was your last meal?
Application
The world asks, “How many people work for you?” but the Lord asks “For how many people do I work?" Lord, help me to humble myself and roll up my sleeves to help others! I should be willing to do any job that the Lord gives me to do, if I am mentally capable and physically able to do it in a way that will glorify Christ.
John 13:1– 11 (NET)
1 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. 3 Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. 5 He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.
6 Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus replied, “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 (For Jesus knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”)