The Questions Jesus Asked Part 4

As we continue in our series ‘The Questions Jesus Asked” we are going to look at Chapter 13:12 “do you understand what I have done for you?” Let’s read a big chunk of John Chapter 13 for context:

John 13:1-17 (NIV)
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, 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, “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.” 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 I tell you the truth, 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.

In verse 1 of John 13 Jesus is about to demonstrate the extent of His love to them by teaching them that life is found in being a servant.  Something happens when Jesus goes to wash the feet of Peter.

John 13:6-8 (NIV)
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.”

There is something going on with the disciples. We know from Luke 22 that during this last supper the disciples were still arguing amongst themselves about which one of them was considered to be greatest.

Luke 22:24 (NIV)
24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

His disciples, who had been fighting over who was the greatest would learn that the one who was greatest among them would be the one who serves. Here is the deal. At the last supper, the wash basin and towel were sitting there because they needed to have their feet washed, but washing feet was considered to be the job of the lowest of servants. The disciples were all sitting there, full of themselves, arguing about who was the greatest and none of them was willing to do what needed to be done because they were concerned about what that would say about their position. It is into this situation that Jesus stands up and gets the towel and the bowl. Peter’s response is, Jesus, I don’t want you to wash my feet, I want one of these other guys to do it. But Jesus loves them well by demonstrating what it means to be a servant.

Let’s look at another verse where the disciples are arguing about who was the greatest.

Mark 9:33-34 (NIV)
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Jesus is going to use this moment as a teaching opportunity. He isn’t going to chastise them for wanting to be great in the Kingdom of God. He is going to explain what it really means.

Mark 9:35 (NIV)
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

If you really want to be great, if you really want to make a difference in the Kingdom of God, then you have to be a servant of all.” And there is something about being willing to be a servant, in all the little ways, that will often have you in the right place at the right time to make a difference in the kingdom. We are going to look at a great illustration of that this weekend at Keys Vineyard Church. If you can’t make it in-person be sure to check it out online.

Steve Lawes is a church encourager and the lead pastor of Keys Vineyard Church.