< John 13 >

The evening before his crucifixion Jesus, knowing “his hour was come” and that he was about to lay down his life for those he loved v.1,John 13:1XWaiting for response ate a supper with his disciples. When the meal ended Jesus gave them an example to follow by way of practical demonstration v.15.John 13:15XWaiting for response He washed all their feet, a practice common then because of the dusty roads, saying: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” vs.13-14.John 13:13-14XWaiting for response The application of this in our day is not that disciples should literally wash each other’s feet, but they should do even the most menial or degrading services for each other. Jesus said that those who do this will be happy v.17,John 13:17XWaiting for response because they will be rewarded in the day when God exalts the humble.

The betrayer was Judas Iscariot who had already conspired with the Jewish authorities and agreed to deliver Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver. Sin had moved him to betray Christ or, in the figurative language of the scriptures by which sin is personified as a false accuser, “the devil put into the heart of Judas” to betray him v.2.John 13:2XWaiting for response Jesus told the other apostles in advance of this betrayal so “that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he” v.19.John 13:19XWaiting for response Jesus was greatly distressed by this betrayal v.21John 13:21XWaiting for response and the disciples were anxious to know the identity of the betrayer so Peter prompted another, who was sitting closest to Jesus, to ask him vs.22-25.John 13:22-25XWaiting for response Jesus identified Judas who then became a determined adversary v.27John 13:27XWaiting for response (“Satan” is the Hebrew word for “adversary”) and went out to complete his evil deed. But the disciples did not understand the significance of Jesus’ words to Judas or his sudden departure vs.28-30.John 13:28-30XWaiting for response

He had twelve apostles but he did not speak of them all in favourable terms v.18.John 13:18XWaiting for response One of them would betray him, as the prophets had declared beforehand, e.g. David said: “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” v.18John 13:18XWaiting for response (Psalms 41:9).Psalms 41:9XWaiting for response

After Judas left, Jesus spoke to the remaining apostles the many things which are recorded in the next few chapters. Firstly he spoke of their following him. He would soon, after his death and resurrection, go to heaven but they would not be able to follow him there v.33.John 13:33XWaiting for response Nevertheless, he commanded them to follow his example, especially that they should love one another as he had loved them vs.34-35.John 13:34-35XWaiting for response Peter expressed his determination to follow Jesus, even if it meant laying down his life for his sake v.37John 13:37XWaiting for response but, sadly, Jesus told him that the watchman’s early morning trumpet blast would not blow before he had denied Jesus three times v.38.John 13:38XWaiting for response