In this sermon Graham is again preaching from John’s gospel. This is part 3 of a series on chapters 13 to 17. This week the passage is chapter 13, verses 18 to 30.

The sermon is available as a Podcast, downloadable PDF notes and the text of it is pasted in this post below.

The material is made available so that any may use it, preach it or adapt it.

To download PDF of notes - DOWNLOAD

Sermon John 13:18-30
One leaves, the rest draw closer.

1) V18 He Chooses

He chooses for blessing v17

He chooses for service v14-16

He chooses for life eternal 14:1-4

 

2) He Draws Close

He draws them close. He speaks of them being chosen.

V33-35 - Had they all mainly connected with Jesus only? How much fellowship had they had with each other? Not much I think. See Luke 22:24 (”A dispute arose…”)

Jesus now goes on to bring them into fellowship with each other. His departure will mean they will fall upon each other as never before. We know they did. Jesus is the connection point in our Christian relationships.

He introduces the “Body of Christ” concept, the idea of the unit, the Church. In 1 Peter 2:5 Christians are likened to stones being built into a building in which God lives. See Acts 9:5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. To Jesus his own are special. When one of his is touched, so is he.

 

3) Darkness

Judas in Darkness (see previous week, “And you are clean, though not every one of you.” Here he refers to Judas.)

v22 They did not know about Judas. How could they not have seen this? They knew Judas was a thief.

See John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. ” It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

V29 Love of money. See 2 Tim 3:2. Again John mentions Judas and the love of money.

Matthew 6:24 No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Luke 16:14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Was this love of money the start of the rot in Judas? I wonder, what would be the start of the rot in me?

 

Conclusion

V28 “Still no one understood.” Amazing that light, blessing and fellowship can exist alongside such darkness.

Satan entered him. Having rejected the rule of God, his good conscience, and all the opportunities of entering the light and walking in the light, he has crossed over. He has entered the darkness. And so the writer adds the comment “it was night”.

Satan entered him. But not until after he took the bread. This was his last opportunity to change course, the final appeal to turn back, which he refused.

The bread was offered to Judas. Rescue is offered to us.

Some people wonder if it is too late for them, if the opportunity has passed them by. My reply is that if your conscience bothers you, and you are still troubled by your past or things you have done, then you still have a chance for forgiveness and rescue.

Romans 10:13 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

In this sermon Graham is again preaching from John’s gospel. This is part 2 of a series on chapters 13 to 17. This week the passage is chapter 13, verses 2 to 17.

The sermon is available as a Podcast, downloadable PDF notes and the text of it is pasted in this post below.

The material is made available so that any may use it, preach it or adapt it.

To download PDF of notes - DOWNLOAD

Sermon John 13:2-17

We all know what this is about - we should love, have the same attitude as Jesus, that of a servant. Done, sermon ended, we can all go home!

Or is there more? This section requires of the reader both heart and mind, for it is not a sentimental episode. There is doctrine and theology in here too.

Structure of 13:2-17

1) Preface or Introduction

2) The act and the associated conversation

3) Explanation

 

 

1) The Preface or Introduction

I said last week that v1 was the intro. V1 is the intro to the whole series of chapters 13-17. This is the intro to this section, the “foot washing”.

Question: When did all this happen? What difference does this make?

When a) “And supper being ended…” Some translations say, “During”. What does this mean? See v26 which shows the meal was still going on. Perhaps it is that the preparation and setting out which is completed. Certainly then, not upon arrival but when fellowship established and flowing.

When b) “The devil having put into the heart of Judas…” See Lk 22:3-6. The unstoppable train was continuing headlong to the awful conclusion.

When c) “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that…”

“Knowing”, see v1 Not in spite of knowing but because he knew.

Knowing all this he begins the strange act of foot washing.

Knowing the power he has, the revelation he now carries (re his past, his future, his sacrifice). “He that is greatest among you let him be as he that serves.”

 

2) The Act

John records the detail he wants to:

a) To draw his readers/listeners into the event that they might share some of the impressions he experienced.

b) To show Jesus. See Luke 22:24 (”A dispute arose…”), Jesus had dealt with the past event with the brothers, here he is dealing with the future, theirs and ours, by sowing the seeds of revelation regarding servanthood.

John the Baptist had said he was not worthy to loosen the sandal of Jesus, yet Jesus now does this to others?

The Lord served (serves, and still serves) not because he had to but because he chose to. To choose to serve is not to become a door-mat.

Jesus comes to Peter.

What is John recording as he remembers? Peter is probably already dead. John who respects him and his memory is not out to undermine his memory. After all, this gospel is about Jesus first and foremost (John ).

Peter’s confusion, Peter’s mistake, Peter’s response

Question: Do you feel sympathy for Peter? If so, why?

Peter’s confusion

“My feet!?”

Perhaps Peter truly expressed incomprehension. There is no rebuke from Jesus, so perhaps this confirms the nature of Peter’s comments. Limited knowledge is not wrong, it depends upon what we do with it.

V7 you will understand later - and he didn’t mean they should wait long for some understanding (see v12,13) but perhaps more understanding came over time. Notice the words of comfort Jesus gives, see his character. I sense his comfort when I look at mysteries and hold up to him the unanswered questions. Ignorance will not last forever. Upon his return we will know fully (see 1 Cor 13:10-12).

Peter’s mistake

“No,” he says. He rebels, for whatever the motive. This is like those who think salvation can be obtained or attained through through effort - the “70 years good living blasphemy”. This is pride and self-righteousness revealed. This is the refusal of Grace that has been the treasure of the centuries.

Jesus responds tenderly v8. I wonder, without this lesson on Grace would Peter have failed later to understand Grace as the only means of salvation? Was this already some preparation for the vision on the rooftop which led to the open door for the Gentiles?

“If I don’t wash you…” He speaks of his blood. As in the conversation with Samaritan woman in Jn 4 when speaking of water, and with the Jews in Jn 6 when speaking of manna, Jesus switches from a natural meaning to a higher meaning.

V10, “You are clean but not all…”

Peter had a problem with the master serving the servant, but Jesus is taking Peter further than that, he will be washed in the atoning blood or else have no part with Jesus. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

If Peter could not allow Jesus to wash his feet, how could he allow Jesus to wash him in blood?

Peter’s response

“Not my feet only but all…”

I think of his earlier lavish expressions of faith in John 6:67-69, “You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

And

“Shall I build shelters?” Mark 9:5.

Now his understanding may still be limited, but his attitude is right, his rebellion has gone.

 

3) Explanation - Jesus teaches

v10 The clean only need the feet washing (see v1 “in the world”). Feet are being used as representing that part of us which engages with the world, as we walk the walk.

See Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!”

In the Greek, the words for washing in v10 are different. The NIV makes the distinction:

“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.”

Once the soul is washed, as in being “born again” or justified, it does not need to be born-again again, but will need to be cleansed from the sins of the daily walk.

“And you are clean, though not every one of you.” Here he refers to Judas.

In the Kingdom or outside of it, there is a difference. Not of degree. It is like being on the bus or missing it, in the life-boat or still in the icy water.

Here it seems the key to understanding the true nature of Judas is revealed. He was not merely confused and falling away, but never having been spiritually cleansed, never having submitted. What words could we use? Unconverted, not justified, not redeemed washed or sanctified? The terms are less important than understanding the truth and knowing where you are, and where those you love are.

 

After Jesus washed (Judas as well)

He returns to his seat fully clothed and says to them (v7) “You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” He said they would understand, now the explanation.

His status in acknowledged, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.” It is as if he says, “If I do it, how much more those who are below?” He has included all people as there is none higher that he is. See 1 Tim 5:10.

v15 there is debate whether it is to be done by followers today. Was he speaking literally or figuratively?

V17 “you will be blessed” NIV. “happy are ye if ye do them” KJV. There is joy in serving Jesus. And service is for all.

 

Conclusion

How do you feel when you see someone with “dirty feet”? I speak of those trying to engage with the world and who experience failure along the way.

• Rejoice that they are trying to engage with the world, to be in it though not a part of it (Jn 17).

• Rejoice that it is only their feet. They are inside the Kingdom, not outside. In the light not in darkness.

• Rejoice that cleansing is possible (1 John 2:11,12).

• Rejoice they have sought cleansing, received cleansing, submitted to cleansing.

• Beware. 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

The main lesson? Aside from all the doctrine, I come to the conclusion that his main message when Jesus returned to his seat, was servanthood.

Philippians 2:4

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”