Lesson 78

This passage begins a section of the Gospel of John that will run for the next four chapters. The portion of the Gospel is often called "The Upper Room Discourses" because everything occurs during a supper that is held at or around the Feast of Passover. As concerning what day of the Passover Feast this event took place, the Gospel of John is ambiguous. The text itself does not describe the meal or give a framework for the practice of the Lord's Supper, as do the other gospels. In keeping with the unique nature of the Gospel of John we are, instead, given a wonderful story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.

The passage begins with a sentence that tells us that Jesus fully realizes what is to take place over the next twenty-four hours. "Jesus knowing that his time had come that he would depart out of this world to his Father..." There is some debate in scholarly circles as to how much Jesus of Nazareth understood of His earthly mission and who He was. Some scholars have concluded that Jesus never fully understood that He was the Christ or that He would die. But, in order to come to this conclusion, whole sections of the Gospel of John have to be discarded or discredited. The very premise of the Gospel, from Chapter 1 to the end seems to indicate that Jesus knew precisely what would happen to Him and when it would happen.

This passage also continues, "...having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." We are moving into the last days of the life of Jesus of Nazareth and the author wants us to be aware that His actions, in the end, were motivated by His love for his followers and the world.

Before the author tells us about Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, he tells us that this action was based on three things. First, "the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him..." The final piece of the puzzle that is the arrest of Jesus had been discovered. Judas had decided to betray Jesus. Even though Judas was still in the Upper Room with Jesus, the devil had put it in his heart to betray Christ.

Second, "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands..." Everything that Jesus had seen and heard to this point convinced Him that He was fulfilling the will of the Father. Everything the Father had given Him to do He had done. He had delivered the Word. He had healed the sick. He had caused the blind to see. He had raised the dead. And, third, "that he came forth from God, and was going to God..." Everything that Jesus needed to do to complete His mission was based on this fundamental understanding. God had sent Him. He had come from God and would soon be returning to God. Everything He did was based on who He was.

Because of these three things, because of who He was and how short the time was, He had one final lesson to teach His disciples. He took off His outer garment and wrapped a towel about His waist. Then, He poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciple's feet. Now, foot washing was done at many times in their culture. The two most common times were in order to show hospitality to a visitor and when a person had just arrived from a long trip. But, the washing of the feet itself was always done by the lowest status person of the household. A house servant or slave usually performed it if the household could afford such.

But, this was Jesus stooping down to wash their feet. The author had told us that, "the Father had given all things into his hands." Here was the one who had been given all things. He had all power, and yet He stoops to wash their feet. The feet of those whom He loves. And, the feet of the one who would betray Him.

I do not know what I would choose to do on the last night of my life, but the action of Jesus challenges me to rise above myself. He would give everything for those He loved. He would give everything, even for those who would betray Him. What do we have to offer in return for such love?