John Bible Study - Lesson 35

John Bible Study - Lesson 35

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 13:1-30 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, 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.

⁶ 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.”

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “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, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their 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.

¹² When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “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. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

¹⁸ “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned^[a] against me.’^[b]

¹⁹ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, 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. ²³ 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?”

²⁶ 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, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 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 festival, or to give something to the poor. ³⁰ As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

John 13:1-30 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.^[a]2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas,^[b]son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. ⁴ So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, ⁵ and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

⁶ When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

⁸ “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

⁹ Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

¹⁰ Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet,^[c] to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

¹² After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? ¹³ You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. ¹⁴ And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. ¹⁵ I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

¹⁸ “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’^[d] 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I am the Messiah.^[e] 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”

²¹ Now Jesus was deeply troubled,^[f] and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

²² The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.²³ The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.^[g]24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” ²⁵ So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

²⁶ Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” ²⁸ None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. ²⁹ Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. ³⁰ So Judas left at once, going out into the night.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Just before the time of the Passover celebration Jesus tells His disciples that that hour had come for Him to leave this world and be with the Father.

·        Judas, prompted by the devil, was about to betray Jesus.

·        During the evening meal Jesus washed the disciple’s feet.

·        Jesus explains to His disciples the symbolism behind washing their feet.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that one of them will betray Him.

·        Jesus tells Peter the one who will betray Him will be: “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” Jesus gives the bread to Judas.

·        Once Judas eats the bread Satan enters Him.

·        Jesus then tells Judas to hurry and go fulfill his plan to betray Him.

·        Nobody at the table knew what Jesus meant. Since Judas was the Treasurer, the other disciples thought Judas was going to pay for the food or to give some money to the poor.

·        Judas left immediately.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        It was time for Jesus to fulfill God’s plan of salvation.

Here is why we need salvation:

Isaiah 59:2 

But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers.

Here is why God has a plan:

Romans 5:8   

But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 New International Version (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

Here is why we need God to save us: (We cannot earn our salvation)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not of works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:5-7

he saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life.

What we can do:

John 1:12   

But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children

1 John 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:9 New International Version (NIV)

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

·        Jesus washes His disciple’s feet

·        Jesus demonstrates and explains the spiritual significance of washing His disciple’s feet.

Spiritual Cleansing – only Jesus could accomplish a true cleansing of anyone

·        With each person inheriting a sin nature we need daily renewal from the Holy Spirit who will convict us of sin/our violation of God’s perfect standards and helps us to turn away from the temptation to sin. Life for some will include daily confession but that is a good thing because it demonstrates that we are experiencing the assurance of our cleansing and forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

·        We are also forgiven in God’s sight through Jesus’ work on the cross, so when we do sin we do not lose our salvation. A follower of Jesus has been declared righteous by God. Based on what Jesus has done, God erases our guilt and sin. Therefore we are now in a right relationship with God and He includes us in His eternal family. 

Serving – Jesus demonstrates in a humble way how to serve others.

·        Jesus demonstrates the humble way His disciples should meet the needs of others.

·        Jesus said: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”

·        Jesus said that His disciples would be blessed if they followed His example: “Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

Ways in which we can symbolically wash the feet of others:

1.     Show genuine love for others

2.     Be willing to serve

3.     Defer to one another in humility

4.     Forgive one another

5.     Strengthen one another to overcome sin and bear one another’s burdens

6.     Surrender your rights for the sake of others

7.     Pray for one another

8.     Encourage one another to live for Christ

·        Judas’ decision to betray Jesus is an example of one who claims to know Jesus but attempts to use Him for self-serving reasons. We can see many examples of hypocrisy from some who claim they are working for the Lord yet take advantage of those who are able to be deceived.

·        Judas allowed Jesus to wash His feet but was never truly spiritually cleansed by Jesus.

·        Jesus knew and predicted that Judas would betray Him but He also knew God was going to use Judas to fulfill His plan of salvation.

·        In essence, Judas rejected Jesus and therefore rejected God’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life. Many today continue reject Jesus as the Messiah and the only way to eternal life.

·        Jesus warns His disciples that He would be betrayed by one of them.

·        The Bible tells us that Satan entered into Judas and was therefore influenced to follow through and betray Jesus.

·        We all must be concerned with the fact that those who are not saved by God can be influenced by Satan to do bad things. We are seeing many examples of this in today’s world.

·        In fact: the Bibles warns all of us of Satan’s plan:

1 Peter 5:8 New International Version (NIV)

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour

Here is what we should know about Satan:

John 8:44New International Version (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 10:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life

How we can protect ourselves form Satan schemes:

Ephesians 6:11-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Live out your faith, honor God, and work for Him instead of against Him.

·        Discern the schemes of the enemy.

·        Pray continuously for God’s protection and wisdom.

·        Follow Jesus’ example and be a servant leader.

·        Be thankful for God’s plan of salvation and celebrate what God has done for you.

·        Share the faith and the joy of salvation that you have.   

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        Are there any reasons why you might hide your faith?

·        Would you be willing to have an identity in Christ even though you might be persecuted?

·        Where in your life have you betrayed Jesus?

·        Do you realize how much Jesus loves you?

·        Are you willing to serve others?

·        How has your gift of faith enriched your life and the lives of others?

Have a great week…………….Dave