The Gospel according to John presents Jesus as the eternal Word of God, who "was made flesh, and dwelt among us." (1:14) As the book itself says, this Gospel was written so that its readers might believe that Jesus is the Christ.
John emphasizes the gift of eternal life through Christ, a gift which begins now and which comes to those who respond to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. A striking feature of John is the symbolic use of common things from everyday life to point to spiritual realities, such as water, bread, light, the shepherd and his sheep, and the grapevine and its fruit.
Chapters 13-17 record at length the close fellowship of Jesus with his disciples on the night of his arrest, and his words of preparation and encouragement to them on the eve of his crucifixion.
In Chapter 13, Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, an act of true servitude and humility. Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He now showed the disciples the full extent of his love. It was a time for supper, and the Devil had already enticed Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to carry out his plan to betray Jesus.
Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured out a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him.
In all of this, Jesus acted out a parable for the disciples. Jesus knew actions speak louder than words. So when He wanted to teach the proud, arguing disciples about true humility, He didn’t just say it – He showed it. He showed it in a way that illustrated His whole work on behalf of His own.
· Jesus rose from supper, a place of rest and comfort.
· Jesus rose from His throne in heaven, a place of rest and comfort.
· Jesus laid aside His garments, taking off His covering.
· Jesus laid aside His glory, taking off His heavenly covering.
· Jesus took a towel and girded Himself, being ready to work.
· Jesus took the form of a servant, and came ready to work.
· Jesus poured water into a basin, ready to clean.
· Jesus poured out His blood to cleanse us from the guilt and penalty of sin.
When Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet, Jesus said to him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." (John 13:8)
If we do not accept the humble service of Jesus to cleanse us, we have no part with Him. This foot washing was a powerful lesson in humility but it was more than that. It also shows that Jesus has no fellowship, no deep connection with those who have not been cleansed by Him. Judas had his feet literally washed, but he had no part with Jesus because Judas did not let Jesus wash him in the sense Jesus meant here.
Having a part with Jesus begins simply with receiving something from Him, not achieving something our self.
After Jesus washed and dried the feet of the disciples, he goes on to explain what he has done and calls them to follow his example and do the same to one another. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John 13:14-15)
The practice of being a servant pleases God, fulfills our calling, bringing blessing and happiness. (John 13:16-17)
“If there is a position in the church where the worker will have to toil hard and get no thanks for it, take it, and be pleased with it. If you can perform a service, which few will ever seek to do themselves, or appreciate when performed by others, yet occupy it with holy delight. Covet humble work, and when you get it be content to continue in it. There is no great rush after the lowest places, you will rob no one by seeking them.” (Spurgeon)
Jesus tells us to wash one another's feet. Anything we do for each another that washes away the grime of the world and the dust of defeat and discouragement is foot washing. It is easy for us to criticize those with dirty feet, instead of washing them.
Jesus then predicts his betrayal, "He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon." (John 13:26).
Jesus knew Judas was against Him yet His love and goodness seemed to become greater instead of lesser. Jesus even gave Judas the chance to repent without revealing him as the traitor to all the other disciples.
Jesus declares the cross as supreme glorification, not humiliation (John 13:31-32). He tells of a new commandment, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13:34)
He also predicts Peter's denial (John 13:38).
In Chapter 14, Jesus comforts the disciples, "let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." (John 14:1)
Jesus offers calmness from our troubles in life, by believing and trusting in him. He tells of his departure and a future reunion in his Father's house (John 14:2-3).
Jesus tells us he is the way to the Father, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6).
Jesus didn’t say that He would show us a way; He said that He is the way. He didn’t promise to teach us a truth; He said that He is the truth. Jesus didn’t offer us the secrets to life; He said that He is the life.
Jesus made this remarkable statement, claiming that He was the only way to God. Meaning without Him, we cannot gain access to the God. Jesus further went on to say, "If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." (John 14:7)
Further down he also says, "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." (John 14:10)
In other words, to know Jesus is to know God, to see the love of Jesus is to see the love of the Father, to see Jesus in action is to see God in action. "Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." (John 14:11)
If we believe that Jesus is truly the son of God, because we believe in the works that he has done while on earth, we will be able to do even greater works than he did while on earth (John 14:13), and whatever we ask in his name he will do it (John 14:13-14).
With this promise we have the confidence that whatever it is we need, we can ask in the name of Jesus and he will do it. If we love Jesus, we should keep his commandments (John 14:15).
We see the promise of the Holy Spirit,
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Even the Spirit of truth; whoom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16)
The Holy Spirit is called a Comforter, Spirit of truth, a Helper, and a Teacher,
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
This promise is fulfilled in the life of not only the disciples, but in every one who believes till today. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will dwell in you, He will abide in you forever The world cannot receive him (the Holy Spirit is a person), because they do not believe.
Jesus departs with the gift of the Holy spirit and the gift of his peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
With faith in God and His Son, with the receiving of His Spirit and His peace, we can have an untroubled heart in a quite troubled life.
In Chapter 15, Jesus declares himself as the true vine, and God as the husbandman. "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (John 15:1-2)
We see the vital relationship between the vine and it's branches. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)
He goes on further to say, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7)
When we obey him, we remain in him love, just as he obeys his Father and remains in His love. (John 15:10)
Again he tells us of his commandment "That ye love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
The greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. (John 15:13)
Abiding in Jesus brings joy, The joy of Jesus is not the pleasure of a life of ease; it is the exhilaration of being right with God, and consciously walking in His love and care. We can have that joy – we can have His joy – and have it as an abiding presence.
As believers we have been chosen , and appointed by Jesus to produce fruit that will last, so that the Father (God) will give you whatever you ask for, using his name (John 15:16).
He also warns that the world may despise and reject you when you stand for Christ. Jesus told the disciples that the world would often hate them,"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:18)
Jesus hoped to comfort the disciples with the knowledge that the world’s hatred was first directed toward Him. Jesus attracted attention from great multitudes and devotion from individuals of all kinds; yet as a whole, the world hated Jesus.
Since they persecuted Jesus, naturally they would persecute his disciples. The people of the world will hate you because you belong to Jesus, for they do not know God who sent him (Jesus). They would not be guilty if Jesus had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates Son, hates the Father too. Again , Jesus mentions the Holy Spirit.
"But the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me." (John 15:26)
Not just the Holy spirit, but also his disciples will bear witness and tell others of his grace and abiding love. (John 15:27)
Lessons I Learnt from the Passage
1. Leadership comes with servitude.
2. We must follow the example of our Lord's humility by serving others.
3. Having a part of Jesus, means receiving him into our hearts and allowing him to cleanse us.
4. Placing our trust In Jesus gives us peace from all the troubles of life.
5. Jesus is the only way to God, the Father,
6. Jesus is the truth.
7. Knowing the Son is knowing the Father.
8. If we believe, we will have whatever we ask for in his name.
9. The new Commandment given by Jesus is simply to love one another, as He has loved us.
10. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to us as a Comforter, a Helper< a Spirit of truth, and a Teacher.
11. Jesus is the Vine, God is the husbandman, and we are the branches, we must abide in him in order to be fruitful.
12. The world might hate and persecute us for the sake of the gospel, but in Him we shall find peace, joy and love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for laying down your life on the cross for my sins, thank you for saving me, cleansing me, and wiping all my past transgressions away. I pray for grace to live a life of obedience to your commandment, to love those around me, as you have loved me . Amen.
Reference
Holy Bible (kjv), Holy Bible (New Living Translation), www.enduringword.com
