Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 19 JUNE 2022

Text: John 13:1-17

Subject: Washing the feet of the Disciples I

INTRODUCTION

1. The Washing of the Feet of the Disciples 

a) This is an exceptionally moving story

b) It is worthwhile studying this story carefully

2. A Complex Context 

a) Historical Context

i) It was before the Feast of the Passover (John 13:1a)

ii) The Lord Jesus knew that soon He would depart from this world John 13:1b

b) Mention of the Love of the Lord Jesus

i) He loved His own who were in the world (John 13:1c)

ii) He loved them to the end (John 13:1d)

c) Supper with the Disciples was over (John 13:2a)

d) The devil had already put into the heart of Judas to betray the Lord Jesus (John 13:2b)

A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT PLAN

³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

⁴ Rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

⁶ Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

⁸ Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

⁹ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

¹¹ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

John 13:3-11

1. The Self-awareness of the Lord Jesus

a) The Father had given Him all things into His hand

b) He had come from God

c) He was going to God

2. He arose and put aside His regular robes

3. He put on the working clothes of a slave

a) He took a towel

b) He prepared a basis of water

c) He washed the feet of the Disciples

d) He wiped them dry (John 13:4-5)

4. He came to Peter

a) Peter asked the Lord Jesus

“Lord, are You washing my feet?” John 13:7a

b) The Lord Jesus answered

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” John 13:7b

c) Peter’s further word

“You shall never wash my feet!” John 13:8a

d) The Lord’s reply

“If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” John 13:8b

e) Peter’s astonished response

“Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” John 13:9

f) The Lord’s word to Peter

“He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” John 13:10

g) John’s comment

For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” John 13:11

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STORY

1. The Example of the Lord Jesus in ministry

a) The heart of a servant

b) The deeds of a servant

c) Abject humility (Philippians 2:5-11)

2. The Work of Cleansing

a) Necessity of cleansing

b) External cleansing

c) Deep and personal internal cleansing

CONCLUSION

1. Appreciating the love of the Lord Jesus

2. Appreciating the humility of the Lord

3. The sobering reality of Satan’s work

a) His work in the heart

b) Corrupting of the heart 

c) Betrayal of the Lord Jesus

d) The heart remains unclean