1. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN IV. THE DISCIPLES’ PREPARATION BY THE SON OF GOD (13:1–16:33) A. THE DISCOURSE IN THE UPPER ROOM (Jn 13:1 – 14:31) 1. The Prelude to the Betrayal (13:1-2)  Read Jn 13:2.  The stage is thereby being set for Jesus to begin washing His disciples’ feet.

2. ~ But before proceeding with the narrative, John ensures that his readers will grasp just how strongly this episode attests the loving character of Jesus. ~ Christ shows His wonderful grace and patience, that He could bear to wash the feet of such a wicked and treacherous apostate.  When John says that Judas’ decision to betray Christ had been motivated by the devil, this shows the enormity of the crime.

3. ~ But when men’s passions are inflamed by Satan’s stoking, they do not cease to be a furnace on their own. ~ The idea, then, is not that Judas was not responsible, for as Adolf Schlatter put it, “A heart incited by Satan actually wills what the devil wills.” ~ Rather, the plot against Jesus, however mediated by wicked human beings, was nothing less then Satanic.

4. 2. The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet (13:3-17) a. Showing the Example (vv. 3-5) b. Explaining the Example (vv. 6-17) a. Showing the Example (vv. 3-5)  Read Jn 13:3-5.  In v. 3, Jesus’ special knowledge of His Father's will for Him, articulated in v. 1, is now repeated, but with two significant additions.

5. ~ With such power and status at His disposal, we might have expected Him to defeat the devil in an immediate and flashy confrontation, and to devastate Judas with an unstoppable blast of divine wrath. ~ Instead, He washes His disciples’ feet, including the feet of the betrayer.

6.  At the same time, this verse adds glory to the deed in the fact that when Jesus performed it, He did it in the full consciousness that He was God’s only begotten Son; hence, the rightful heir of all things.  Jesus, the Son of God, knew His origin and His destiny. ~ Being assured of His own destiny, He focused His attention on what He intended to do.

7. ~ At the time so near to the revelation of Jesus’ true identity and glory, He set aside what was rightfully His and expressed His character through an act of humility. ~ Phil 2:6-8  For some people, the desire for approval motivates their service. ~ Their efforts only go as far as the amount of positive feedback they receive.

8. ~ For Jesus, service expressed who He was and did not depend on the response of others. ~ WHEN WE SERVE FREELY, WITHOUT EXPECTING THE RESPONSE OR APPROVAL OF OTHERS, WE ARE ACTING LIKE JESUS.

9.  I also believe that this verse was added to tell us the source of Christ’s quiet, composed thinking. ~ As He had already gained the victory over death, He raised His mind to the glorious triumph which was quickly to follow. ~ Men in the grip of fear are usually most upset. ~ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power.

10.  It may be asked why Christ was reduced to such a grief that He sweat blood. ~ Both were necessary. ~ He had to have a dread of death, while He nevertheless fearlessly discharged everything that belonged to the office of Mediator.