The Gospel According
to John Chapter 13
Originally posted Monday, April 21, 2008
John Chapter 13:1-38 The Last Supper
Part 1 Vss. 1-17, 20 The Foot Washing
Jesus
and the Twelve gathered for supper at sundown as Thursday was
passing into Friday, the Day of Preparation. Jesus' hour has arrived to leave
this world of evil and to return to the Father who had sent him. He
has loved to the end (utterly) those whom God has given to him
in this world and is aware that one of them is determined to betray him.
He has completed everything God has given him to accomplish and the time to
depart was near.
At some point in the
evening, as the disciples were still eating and enjoying quiet conversation,
Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe and wrapped a towel around
his waist. He took a pitcher of water and a basin and walked behind each
disciple where he was reclining. Taking his time as if this were a solemn
occasion he placed the basin on the floor, poured water over each one's feet
and dried them with the towel. He finally came to where Peter had reclined. As
he raised the pitcher to pour, Peter resisted, drawing up his legs before
Jesus could pour the water. Peter would have none of this. How could he
allow his teacher and Lord to do something not even a slave would be required
to do? But Jesus insisted and so began an unfolding of this prophetic act. As
Jesus had done in the cleansing of the Temple and the riding of the donkey on
the road to Jerusalem, he would do here. In this symbolic act he will teach.
Peter's initial
refusal shows his embarrassment. He has no understanding of the meaning of
what Jesus is about to do for him. He sees the literal meaning
only and cannot grasp the spiritual. Jesus is stern in his response. This
is not a matter of Peter allowing Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus says "If I do not wash you, you will
have no "share" with me." By Peter's abrupt change of mind we
can assume there is a deeper meaning in this act than our English translation can
convey. The use of the word "share" has its roots in the partition of
the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. The share each tribe
received, other than Levi, was considered their heritage from God. When in the
late period of the Prophets Israel began to see the possibility of something
beyond this life, the "share" became their heritage with God in
a new age. In other words the heritage in which they had a share was eternal
life, the Kingdom of God. The Greek in vs. 8b reads. "Jesus answered him, 'unless I wash you,
you do not have a share with me into the age [to come].'" In Jesus'
act of washing the disciples' feet he is cleansing them from sin
and giving them a share of his Heritage from God - heaven. What Jesus
does for them is a saving act without which they will have no share with
him in heaven.
There is more to be
understood in Jesus' gift to the disciples. Jewish writings, referring to foot
washing, indicate a slave could not be commanded to perform this as a duty. It
was considered a humiliation. Since it is in the crucifixion that Jesus will suffer
humiliation and it will be through his death that the disciples (and all who
believe) will have a share in his heritage, the washing of the disciples feet
is prophetic of his approaching death on the cross. His humiliating death
and the giving of a share in his heritage that comes from that death are
inseparably intertwined.
But there is still
more to learn. It was also understood by the Rabbis that although a slave could
not be commanded to wash someone's feet, a disciple might wash the
feet as a service to his teacher out of respect, love and
devotion. In vss.12b-17 Jesus
speaks of such a demonstration of love as an example he has set for them to
follow, to do just as he has done. If he as their teacher and Lord
can freely act toward them in such a way out of respect and love, certainly
they ought to act the same towards one another, even so far as to die for one
another as he will die for them. Later we will read of the importance of
this demonstration of love, one for the other. In the early church
foot washing would become a tradition, not only as part of solemn liturgy but
as an act of respect shown to traveling evangelists and prophets.
Such respect would fulfill Jesus' words, "whoever receives one whom I send
receives me; and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Part 2 Vss. 18-19, 21-30 Jesus Speaks of Betrayal
In the midst of
Jesus' teaching he singles out the presence of a betrayer, yet unknown to
the disciples. He knows who he has chosen, even the betrayer. But as the Scripture
foretells, one who is at table with him will "lift his heel against me (Ps. 41:9)" as a act of
treachery. John understands Jesus' telling the disciples of the coming betrayal
before it happens so that when it does occur they will (after the crucifixion
and resurrection) "come to full faith that I AM."
Jesus tells the
disciples that one of them is the betrayer. John uses the same word as when
Jesus was weeping at Lazarus' tomb, Jesus shudders in grief. The disciples
do not know who the betrayer is. They nervously look at one another
with suspicious thoughts. Peter gives a questioning nod to the
"Disciple whom Jesus loved" who was reclining close beside
Jesus. "Lord, who is it?" Again referring to Ps. 41:9, Jesus dips a morsel
of food into the dish and gives it to Judas. John adds the
parenthetical remark that Satan entered Judas at the moment he took the food,
probably to confirm the prophetic validity of the Scriptural reference. At the
same time Judas immediately goes out into the dark, where evil is done. As
Jesus has already said, "The night is coming."
Part 3 Vss. 31-35 A New Commandment
Judas,' leaving to
betray Jesus, begins a cascade of events which will lead to Golgotha. It will
be in this process and what follows that Jesus will be glorified (honored). In
a little while he will be going (to heaven) and they will not be able
to follow him, not yet. But before he goes he will give them a new commandment
(covenant) as a reminder of him and as a means to keep together in the struggles
ahead. They are to love one another as he has loved them, even by laying down
their lives. This mutual love will be the distinctive characteristic of true
discipleship. It will be by their expression of love for each other that others
will recognize them as his disciples.
Part 4 Vss. 36-38 Peter's Denial of Jesus Foretold
Peter was the only
disciple to question Jesus' washing of his feet. He asks Jesus where he is
going (Quo Vadis). He questions Jesus' meaning that he, Peter, cannot
follow him now but will later. If it takes laying down his life he will do it,
he promises. Jesus affirms he will indeed lay down his life for him, but before
that day he will deny him three times before the cock crows. In the second
century book, Acts of Peter, Peter is in danger of being
captured and killed by the Romans. He is fleeing Rome when Jesus meets him on
the road. Peter says to Jesus, "Lord where are you going (Quo
Vadis)?" "I am going to Rome to be crucified again." Shamed,
Peter returns to Rome to die.
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