Our Example | John 13:1–17
Teacher: Dave Bengyak
John 13:1–17
1. The disciples were distracted and preoccupied by self-importance and a lack of humility, so Jesus performed a bold act that would attract their attention.
Mark 9; Mark 10; Luke 22:24
2. Jesus did not wash the disciples’ feet in forgetfulness of who He was, but in full consciousness of His authority, divinity, and future glory.
John 13:3; Colossians 1:16–17; Colossians 2:9
3. Although this foot-washing was an extraordinary example of humility, Jesus had an additional motivation for performing this act: He was showing the disciples what He had come into the world to accomplish as the Messiah.
John 13:4–5; Philippians 2:5–8; Hebrews 1:3
Takeaways from Jesus and Peter’s foot-washing exchange:
- The atoning and cleansing work that Christ does at salvation never needs to be repeated.
- Although the atoning and cleansing that Christ does at salvation never needs to be repeated, followers of Christ still need the daily “foot washing” or cleansing for sanctification from the defilement of the sin that remains.
Closing Takeaway:
As followers of Christ, when by God’s grace the decision is made to serve others and to live sacrificially for the kingdom of God, our souls will find their ultimate satisfaction in imitating the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalms 119:1; Proverbs 16:20; Luke 8:21; John 13:17