TITLE
John 13:1-20 – The Glory of the Servant
EXPLANATION
The time had arrived for the Feast of the Passover,
and Jesus ate with His disciples. During
supper He took off His outer clothing, put a towel around His waist, and washed
the feet of every man there. This was a
servant’s job. It was a menial task that
was usually assigned to the one who had the lowest standing in a group. This act that Jesus performed was a powerful
illustration for His men. It graphically
illustrated to them the teaching He had previously given concerning the least
and the greatest. The physical washing
of skin also pre-figured the spiritual cleansing of the soul that would soon
come when the men were filled with the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus came to Peter, Peter at first recoiled from
the idea of his Lord washing his feet.
However, once he realized that if Jesus did not perform this service for
him, he would not have a part with Him anymore, Peter wanted his whole body
washed. He wanted all of Christ he could
get. Jesus assured him that more
washing, over and above his feet, was not necessary. Peter did not need to do more to receive more
of salvation. What Jesus did was enough.
After He was finished, the Lord instructed the men
that just as He had done for them, so He wanted them to do for others. He knew that not all of them were His. He had chosen the ones who would receive His
gift. Back in chapter 6 Jesus taught
that the Father gave people to Him. But
now He says that He Himself chose them.
This is yet another beautiful illustration of the oneness between Father
and Son. They are both God, and they are
both involved in the choosing of the elect.
Jesus finished by showing the relationship between Christians, Christ,
and the Father. Those who receive
Christians also receive Christ. Those
who receive Christ also receive the Father who sent Him. Thus, we see the mysterious unity that exists
between the Godhead and His chosen children.
APPLICATION
This is a wonderful
passage that is dripping with symbolism.
It touches on the deity of Christ, the duality between Father and Son,
the doctrine of election, and the role of Christians. But, I think the most striking feature of
this section is the illustration of the servant that Christ performed for His
men. By washing their feet, He painted a
clear picture for them of servant leadership.
What is amazing about this is that, just as with the previous passage,
it is backwards to our typical human way of thinking. Jesus, who Himself is the most glorious of
all men, showed that in order to be the greatest and most glorious you must
become the least of all. It was His act
of humility on the cross that led Christ to be crowned with all glory and honor
in the universe. It is the same way with
those He has chosen to be one with Him, Christians. If we truly desire to be first in the Kingdom
of Heaven, then we are required to submit our human wills to the service of
others.
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