1. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN IV. THE DISCIPLES’ PREPARATION BY THE SON OF GOD (13:1–16:33) A. THE DISCOURSE IN THE UPPER ROOM (Jn 13:1 – 14:31) 1. The Prelude to the Betrayal (13:1-2) 2. The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet (13:3-17) a. Showing the Example (vv. 3-5) b. Explaining the Example (vv. 6-17)

2. 1) The example misunderstood (vv. 6-11)  Read Jn 13:8b.  Christ’s reply still not does say why He has decided to wash the disciples’ feet. ~ In refusing such a service Peter rejects the most important part of his own salvation.  In the sight of God we are all filthy and polluted until Christ washes away our stains.

3. ~ Everyone must offer himself to be cleansed from his pollution. ~ UNLESS THE LAMB OF GOD HAS TAKEN AWAY A PERSON’S SIN, HAS WASHED THAT PERSON, HE OR SHE CAN HAVE NO PART WITH HIM.  Jesus – He alone, is the Son, the true Heir. ~ To Him all things were promised. ~ Jn 13:3

4. ~ But what He has He shares with His own (cf., Rom 8:17)  We must understand the meaning of the word “wash.” ~ Christ washes us when He wipes out our sins by the expiation of His sacrifice, that we may not come into God’s judgment. ~ On the other hand, Christ washes us when by His Spirit He takes away the depraved and fierce desires of the flesh.

5.  The notion of “having a part in” something is regularly used with respect to inheritance. ~ Peter certainly understood that he wanted to be linked with Jesus.  Read Jn 13:9.  Peter had completely missed the meaning of the words of his Lord. ~ So Peter’s response sounds more like unrestrained exuberance.

6.  Read Jn 13:10-11. ~ “Bathed” – cleansed by My blood (justified) ~ This person needs only one thing, namely sanctification. ~ Jesus is not speaking about the physical but about the spiritual.  Jesus here is going on to give a fresh lesson. ~ The initial and fundamental cleansing that Christ provides on the cross is a once-for-all act.

7.  But then He adds, “but not all of you” (v. 11). ~ This is to show for all time to come that He is not taken unawares by Judas but is in complete control of the situation, and in order to make the traitor solely responsible for his actions. ~ “knew” – in the Gk., “knew all the while”

8.  Doubtless when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He included the feet of Judas Iscariot. ~ No rite, even if performed by Jesus Himself, ensures spiritual cleansing. ~ Washed Judas may have been, but cleansed he was not (cf. Jn 6:63-64). ~ Jn 15:3

9. ~ Real cleansing is effected both through Jesus’ revelatory word and through the atoning sacrifice to which the footwashing pointed. ~ TO RECEIVE JESUS, NOTHING IS REQUIRED OF THE BELIEVER EXCEPT HUMBLE ACCEPTANCE OF WHAT JESUS HAS DONE. ~ To accept the salvation Jesus offers means to humbly accept His death on the cross for all sins.

10.  John made it clear that Judas was the specific reason Jesus said, “but not all of you.” ~ But John must have also had his future readers in mind. ~ If among the original disciples there was one not true, future groups of disciples would also discover among themselves those who were false followers.