January 17, 2016           John 13:10 – 26

Download discussion questions:  John 13_10-26 Example and Betrayal

After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and returned to the table He asked a simple question, “Do you know what I have done to you?”  Our group agreed that He probably did not expect an answer.  The men around Him were still recovering from the socially awkward scene they had been a part of.

Jesus had washed their feet, but His question indicated that He wanted them to see more significance to what He had done.  He wanted them to understand and apply the example He had given (v. 14-15).  He even highlights the reason for the discomfort they must have felt:  The Teacher washed their feet.  The Lord served them.  The awkwardness was the heart of His example.  Our group discussed the characteristics of foot washing that Jesus seemed to emphasize.  It was certainly unpleasant, even repulsive, carefully cleaning feet covered with who knows what.  It was a minor task, unnoticed during the conversations when guests were arriving, like taking someone’s coat today.  It was probably a thankless chore, subject to criticism if you didn’t do a good enough job.  That is the example that Jesus gave.  He instructed His disciples to do that for each other:  ordinary, unnoticed, unrewarded duties.

Our discussion turned to our practice today.  Why don’t we wash each other’s feet?  Why do we ignore the explicit command, “You also ought to wash one another’s feet”?  One member of our group pointed out a practical cultural difference:  we don’t usually walk barefooted on dirt roads.  A few people mentioned that they had participated in foot washing in a church service or small group or on a retreat.  One commented that receiving foot washing seemed more humbling than washing someone else’s feet.  Perhaps that is the best reason for not practicing foot washing today.  The twenty-first century has inverted the experience.  What was an unnoticed duty in the first century now draws attention.  Somehow an intentional public display to demonstrate humility seems a bit of an oxymoron.

During last week’s discussion a modern parallel was suggested, the CEO who gets up and starts clearing the dishes at the end of the corporate dinner.  Maybe a better example would be the CEO (or the newly-hired office assistant) who goes into the kitchen after everyone has left and starts scrubbing pots and pans, unnoticed.  Can we find ways to serve others, especially in unnoticed, even unappreciated jobs?  Those are probably better modern applications of Jesus’ instruction than an artificial, attention-getting ceremony.

Jesus’ explanation of His example includes a subtle change in wording that one of our group pointed out (remember, Observation, Interpretation, Application – a lot depends on good observation!).  Jesus first described the disciples’ perception of His status:  Teacher and Lord (v. 13).  He affirms the respect they have for Him with a small but significant change in the word order, calling Himself “Lord and Teacher” (v 14).  Like many people, the disciples recognized Jesus as a great teacher.  That is probably why they started following Him in the first place.  They were growing in their recognition of His authority as Lord.  Jesus clarified that perception to express the reality.  He is first of all Lord, and His status as Teacher flows from that fundamental identity.  We discussed His repeated references to His mission from the Father who sent Him (e.g., John 12:49-50 as the most recent example) and His identification with the Father (John 8:58).  Now, hours before His arrest, He wants to emphasize that He is much more than a great teacher or even a good example to follow.  He is the Light of the world (John 12:46).

Interspersed with the example Jesus gives and then explains are His references about betrayal.  At first His comments are a bit cryptic:  “You are clean, but not all of you” (v. 10, repeated by John for emphasis in v. 11).  Then a little later, in the middle of His explanation of the dramatic example, another ambiguous remark, “I do not speak of all of you” (v. 18).  If the disciples were still bewildered and unsettled after having their feet washed by the Light of the world, what must they have thought about those words?  Jesus even quotes from a Psalm and relates a disturbing verse about treachery to His small group of followers:  “He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me” (Psalm 41:9).  As our group has discussed before, first-century Jews knew their Scriptures well.  Quoting that single verse would bring to their minds the many other faithless actions in that Psalm, lying and gossip and conspiracy.  Whatever the disciples guessed Jesus was hinting at, they had to be alert, maybe even alarmed.

Then John records that “He became troubled in spirit” (v. 21).  Clearly Jesus had known much earlier about the coming betrayal.  Why is His troubled spirit only mentioned now?  The wording is quite clear, He became troubled.  He experienced a change in His emotional state at that time.  Our group considered that change.  We have seen many times that John is a very skilled story teller as he relates his first-hand experiences.  At the table next to Jesus (v. 23, 25), perhaps he saw something in Jesus’ countenance just then that expressed trouble.  One suggestion in our discussion was Jesus’ sadness over the effect of sin, and specifically the effect it was to have on Judas.  Jesus had just washed Judas’ feet (there is no evidence in the text to suggest He skipped him).  All of the comments Jesus had made up to this point were general and vague.  Now He says bluntly, “One of you will betray Me” with the “Truly, truly” emphasis (v. 21, literally, “Amen, amen”).  Perhaps He was troubled because He was about to make that shocking statement.  He knew the effect it would have on all the disciples, increasing their confusion.  And He knew the disastrous effect it would have on Judas.

One person in our group suggested that a common thread connects the two main topics in this passage, Jesus’ example and Judas’ betrayal.  Both those themes relate to relationships.  Jesus gave a memorable, earthy example (like His parables, another member commented) of humble service to each other at any cost to ourselves.  The disciples were soon to see a very different illustration, self-seeking betrayal for personal gain.  Could the contrast be any sharper?  One serves others at any cost to Himself.  The other serves himself at any cost to others.

Washing the feet of another person is not likely to be part of our coming week.  But we are very likely to have other opportunities:  offering our time, or a listening ear, or helping with someone else’s project at work, or a favor for a neighbor.  Some of those opportunities may even include some degree of betrayal.  We may be unappreciated, or not receive recognition, or even be snubbed or rebuffed.  The relational example Jesus gave us can be a helpful guideline.  Do we protect ourselves (our reputation, our status, our comfort) at any cost to others?  Or do we serve others at any cost to ourselves?  Jesus shows us, at the disciples’ feet and on the cross, the example to follow.