Wednesday, March 21, 2012

A Fisherman's Story

A Study in the Gospel of John

John 13:1-30

 

by Samuel E. Ward

 

March 18, 2012

 

Introduction:  Review

 

Part One:  "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story," John 1:1-18

Part Two:  "The Telling of the Fisherman's Story," John 1:18-12:50

Part Three:  "The Climactic Events of the Fisherman's Story," John 13:1-20:31

 

I. The Final Meal John,13:1-17:26

 

A. The Lesson of Servanthood, 13:1-20

 

A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody's Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But of course this was America and there were no hall servants.

 

Walking the dormitory halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and determined not to embarrass his brothers. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but met with only silence or pious excuses. Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the world's only famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.

 

When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never know by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret. Perhaps the episode is a vital insight into why God used D. L. Moody as He did. He was a man with a servant's heart and that was the basis of his true greatness.[1]

 

(John 13:1-20 NIV)  It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. {2} The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. {3} Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; {4} so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. {5} After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

 

1. The Servant's act, John 13:1-5.

 

a. The timing was significant, John 13:1a.

 

(John 13:1a NIV)  It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.

 

b. The act was loving, John 13:1b.

 

(John 13:1b NIV)  Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

 

c. The enemy was working, John 13:2.

 

(John 13:2 NIV)  The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.

 

d. The outcome was God's, John 13:3.

 

(John 13:3 NIV)  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.

 

e. The ministry was indicative of Christ's humility, John 13:4-5.

 

(John 13:4-5 NIV)  So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. {5} After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

 

Reflection upon these verses yields these comforting thoughts concerning God's involvement in the midst of our darkest experiences:

 

·         God's plans move according to his timetable, Pro 16:9; 19:21.

·         God's plans include the timing of our departure, Mat 10:28-29.

·         Jesus's loving ministry towards us is without limits, Rom 5:8-9.

·         The devil is always at work to destroy God's plans and can easily find those who are willing to help him.  Sometimes those closest to us are his best tools, Mark 13:11-13

·         God's power insures the outcome of His plans and victory over His enemies.  See Psa 33:10-11.

·         Jesus is willing to do for us what we are often not willing to do for others due to pride, Mat 20:25-28.

 

2. The disciple's resistance, John 13:6-7a

 

Peter's resistance was due to:

 

a. Lack of understanding, John 13:6-7

 

(John 13:6-7 NIV)  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" {7} Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

 

b. Respect for Jesus, John 6:8a

 

(John 13:8a NIV)  "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."

 

3. Jesus' insistence, John 13:8b-11.

 

(John 13:8b-11 NIV)  "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." {9} "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" {10} Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." {11} For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

 

a. The lesson is dual in purpose:  serving and cleansing.

b. The lesson about cleansing is dual in meaning:  Bathing (total body wash, louo) and washing (nipto partial washing as needed).

 

1) We begin our relationship with a total spiritual cleansing that sets us apart (sancitifies) us from our sin unto God.

 

(1 Cor 6:9-11 NIV)  Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders {10} nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 

2) We maintain our spiritual cleanliness by confessing our sin and receiving God's forgiveness cleansing from sin

 

(1 John 1:8-10 NIV)  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

 

This passage leaves no room for anyone to say that they have no need for this ongoing process of maintaining spiritual hygiene.  No one can ever say that they are without sin or that they have never sinned.  If they do, the moment they make the claim they have committed the sin of lying.  A Christian who ignores their sin or refuses to see it is like a person who refuses to clean themselves on a regular basis.  Soon they begin to stink.  And though the unwashed may become accustomed to their own stink, be sure that others are very much aware of the stench. 

 

3. The Teacher's lesson, John 13:12-20

 

a. The lesson's introduction:  "An Example of Servanthood," John13:12a

 

(John 13:12a NIV)  When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.

 

b. The lesson's objective:  Being a Servant," John 13:12b-14

 

(John 13:12b-14 NIV)  "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. {13} "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. {14} Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

 

c. The lesson's principle:  "Everyone Is a Servant—Even Masters!," John 13:15-16

 

(John 13:15-16 NIV)  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. {16} I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

 

d. The lesson's reward:  "Servants Will Be Blessed," John 13:17

 

(John 13:17 NIV)  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

 

An example of the actions of one with a servant's heart:  [Italics added for emphasis]

 

(1 Tim 5:9-10 NIV)  No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, {10} and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

 

e. The lesson's disclaimer:  Association Is Not the Same as Acceptance

 

(John 13:18-20 NIV)  "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' {19} "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. {20} I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

 

Note these biblical passages as further proof that not all who claim to be servants of Christ indeed are.

 

·         (Mat 7:21 NIV)  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

·         (Jude 1:3-4 NIV)  Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. {4} For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

 

B. The prediction of the betrayal, 13:21-30

 

1. The disturbing prediction, John 13:21,22.

 

(John 13:21-22 NIV)  After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." {22} His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.

 

a. It troubled Jesus in spirit to say it.

b. It stunned the disciples' minds to hear it.

 

2. The predictable question, John 13:23-25.

 

(John 13:23-25 NIV)  One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. {24} Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." {25} Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

 

3. The private answer, John 13:26,

 

(John 13:26 NIV)  Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.

 

It remains a matter of speculation why more was not made of this revelation of Judas as the betrayer by John who probably was the only one who had heard Jesus' answer.  It is not so hard to understand why Jesus did not reveal it to the impetuous Peter who would have been ready to take action against the traitor immediately.  The betrayal was not an accident—it was the will of God for Jesus.

 

4. The prompt departure, John 13:27-30.

 

a. The direct participation of Satan in Jesus' death, John 13:27a.

 

(John 13:27a NIV)  As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

 

b. The direct release of Judas to his treachery, John 13:27b-30.

 

(John 13:27b-30 NIV)  "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, {28} but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. {29} Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. {30} As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

 

As with all who are intent upon their sin, God eventually gives them over to it so that they can receive the just consequences of the wickedness. (See Romans 1:24-28.)

 

Conclusion

 

1. The most trying time we experience can be leading us to the biggest victory of our life if we are willing to trust God with the ultimate outcome.

 

(2 Tim 4:18 NIV)  The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

2. Just because our sins have been washed in the blood of Christ doesn't mean we don't pick up more dirt as we walk on life's path.  We need to regular cleansing not to stay redeemed, but to remain pure.

 

(Titus 3:4-7 NIV)  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, {5} he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, {6} whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, {7} so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

 

(1 John 1:8-9 NIV)  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. {9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 

3. Our attitude toward life should be the same as Christ's.  If the King of Glory came to be a servant, then who are we to think that we should be anyone's master, but rather everyone's servant.

 

(Phil 2:5-8 NIV)  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: {6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, {7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. {8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

 

4. There is a point of no return for those who continue to reject Christ.

 

(Rom 2:8-9 NIV)  But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. {9} There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

[1] Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence, (Victor Books, a division of SP Publ., Wheaton, Ill; 1985), p. 98

 

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