Introduction: Never in my life have I had a family member
know that they would soon die, and because of that give
instructions for when they died. No doubt some of the
readers of this lesson have had that experience. I could
not even get my parents to seriously discuss grave plots.
The result is that they are not buried in the pretty part of
the cemetery, but rather the part that overlooks a hardware
store! Of course, my parents don’t care. But clearly I do
because I’m writing about it! This week we see that Jesus
does care about the welfare of His disciples after He is
gone. What Jesus teaches them is also good advice for us.
Let’s dive into our study of the Bible and take in Jesus’
advice!
I. Self Sacrifice
A. Read John 13:1. What does it mean that Jesus loved
His disciples “to the end.”
1. Why would Jesus not love His disciples “to the
end?” (Jesus had some terrible and terrifying
encounters ahead. It would be natural to think
that He would be distracted by that.)
B. Read John 13:2-5. Consider these verses. Do they
make any sense? Let me put it in modern terms,
“Paul, knowing that he was about to become the CEO
of the largest company in his nation, went down to
the stockroom and started stacking boxes.” Does
that make sense?
C. Read John 13:6-8. Finally, we find someone with
some common sense! Continuing with the modern
analogy, the head of production for the company,
like Peter, sees the future CEO stacking boxes and
says, “Quit that! We have plenty of box stackers,
we need you to do something that will ensure that
our business continues to be a success!” Is Peter
right?
D. Look again at John 13:8. Why would Peter “have no
share” with Jesus if Peter insists on preserving
Jesus’ honor? (Everything is upside down. What is
going on makes no sense from the ordinary human
viewpoint.)
E. Look again at John 13:7. Jesus says that His
current actions make no sense now, but they will in
the future. We are living in the future, how do
you explain Jesus’ actions of washing the
disciples’ feet?
F. Read Matthew 20:20-24. What does this tell us about
the attitude of the disciples about their futures
in Jesus’ kingdom? (No doubt the brothers wanted
“Mom” to lock down the top positions for them. When
the other disciples hear of this they are angry.
Why? Because they want to the top positions.)
1. Do you think this is a serious problem for the
disciples’ future? Is it a serious problem for
the future early church?
G. Read John 13:9-11. Does this seem to be odd
placement to you? Why would Jesus start talking
about Judas in the context of washing feet? (If you
follow these lessons we have previously discussed
the motive of Judas to betray Jesus. The obvious
motive, getting paid a bribe, makes no sense. Why
would Judas take a small amount of money when he
was on the cusp of being in charge of the treasury
for the newly liberated Israel? What is more likely
going through his mind is that he is smarter than
anyone else in the room, and he will force Jesus to
declare His kingdom.)
H. Read John 13:12. How do you think the disciples
would answer Jesus?
1. What do Judas and the rest of the disciples
have in common that is counteracted by Jesus
washing their feet? (They all think they are
superior and need to be honored. Jesus
demonstrates to them practical humility.)
I. Read John 13:13-15. Jesus declares that He is “an
example.” An example of what? (Someone in power
washing the feet of others.)
1. Verse 14 says the disciples should wash each
other’s feet, and verse 15 says this should be
done in the future. The disciples are all
future leaders, is this something for leaders
to do?
2. I once attended a Catholic Church in which the
priest started washing the feet of the
members. Is this what Jesus intended?
J. Read John 13:16-19. Jesus ties the betrayal by
Judas to the issue of believing “that I am He.” Why
does Jesus tie the two? (Judas believed that Jesus
would seize power. The disciples believed that too.
When Jesus suffered as a servant on the cross, it
would be hard for the disciples to readjust their
future plans. Jesus asks His disciples to
understand that He came to give up His life for
them.)
K. Consider two important questions. First, how
important for today is the lesson of acting like a
servant?(The essence of the gospel is giving up
your life for others. That is what Jesus did for
us.)
1. Second, if we agree it is an important lesson,
is foot washing the way to learn that lesson?
(I’m less certain that Jesus is commanding
foot washing for all future generations. At
these meals someone, a servant, washed the
feet of all because wearing sandals meant the
feet were dirty. No servant washes feet these
days. Hands, not feet, are washed before
meals.)
a. Can you think of a servant role connected
with eating that today more closely
resembles foot washing? Or does foot
washing more closely resemble foot
washing? (While the symbolism of foot
washing is helpful, I think we are looking
too low. For example, when a young person
chooses a public service job instead of a
job that makes him rich, that is foot
washing. Foot washing for Jesus was dying
a painful death to give us eternal life.
That is true foot washing.)
L. Read John 13:33-35. Where was Jesus going that His
disciples could not immediately follow? (He was
returning to heaven.)
1. Why, in this context, does Jesus instruct the
disciples to love one another? (That is
heaven. People love each other. We should
start living in view of heaven by serving each
other.)
II. The Way
A. In John 13:33 Jesus says He is about to leave, and
the disciples cannot follow. In John 13:36-37 Peter
insists that he can follow Jesus because He is
willing to die for Jesus. In John 14 Jesus
continues His discussion about going away. Read
John 14:3-5. Is Thomas right? He has no map to
where Jesus is going?
B. Read John 14:6-8. Does Thomas believe that he has
his roadmap in hand? (No. Thomas does not
understand.)
C. Read John 14:9-11. What roadmap to heaven do you
find in these words to Philip and Thomas? (There is no literal
road to heaven, the path to heaven is found by
those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.)
D. Read John 14:12. Is Jesus talking about foot
washing? (This ties belief in Jesus to an attitude
of service. I think this is what Jesus had in mind
when He started this discussion by washing the feet
of the disciples.)
E. Read John 14:13-14. Is this an offer to do anything
we ask of Jesus? (Look at the context we have just
studied. Jesus tells us that if, in serving others,
we ask for any thing He will give it to us. This is
the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6.)
F. Friend, have you been listening to Jesus’ advice in
view of His impending death? Believing in Jesus is
helping others, not just serving yourself. This was
frustrating news to those who thought they were
about to become the masters of the nation. But note
this, Jesus’ service to others propelled Him to the
highest position. In this we see the contrast
between the methods of Satan and the method of
Jesus. Why not decide on Jesus’ path to success?
III. Next week: The Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
Copr. 2024, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are
from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within
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link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the
Holy Spirit as you study.