Session 5: The Towel

Session Overview

Creedal Statement

Pray then like this:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Key Elements

• Key Passage - John 13:1–38
• Scripture Memory - For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so. Hebrews 6:10
• Catechism - Q: What practice embodies God’s kingdom? A: Service.

Introduction

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.

Christ is establishing his kingdom on earth. In his grand design, God is orchestrating all the events and happenings of human history to restore his good and complete rule over all that he has made. In his first coming, Jesus inaugurated his kingdom through his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Ultimately, God’s kingdom will come in full measure and final appearance at the second coming of Christ. Until then, we participate in the gradual inbreaking of God’s kingdom, aligning our lives with God’s mission in the world. According to the biblical blueprint of this global mission, the Christian community plays an important role as an agent of God’s kingdom.

The systems of the world oppose the kingdom of Christ in character and in purpose. At its base, the world is driven by a spirit of pride, greed, manipulation, and self-interest. Overarching in its aim, worldly power pursues personal gain and self-advancement. Tragically, the self is the world’s central operating principle, proving ironically destructive to one’s individual life, inner person, and interpersonal relationships. The elevation of self incubates underhanded schemes, competitive rivalry, self-promoting agendas, and relational disharmony. Countercultural to this worldly scheme of existence, Christ calls his followers to a different way of life: Christian service. Christian disciples confront the self-oriented ethos of the world with a spirit of loving, humble, selfless, and sacrificial service exemplified and taught by Christ himself. When believers treat each other as Christ has treated them, the Christian community becomes a strong and powerful witness in the surrounding world. In fact, individual believers grow in the faith as they learn to practice this most important spiritual habit. We turn to God’s inspired word to learn about the spiritual practice of service.

In John 13:1–38, we read a powerful story of loving and humble service. Before his death on the cross, Jesus dined with his disciples in a dramatic scene of Christian fellowship that has taught generations of Christians about the nature of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation. During the meal, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, performing an act of lowly and humble service. He explained the need for disciples to receive the purification available in Jesus. Then, Jesus called his disciples to follow his example, serving one another in the same way Jesus had served them. Later during the meal, Jesus confronted Judas as his betrayer and predicted Peter’s denial. The foreshadowing of these sorrowful disloyalties reinforced the truth that faithful Christian service is selfless and sacrificial devotion to Christ. Describing the heart of Christian service, Jesus announced a new commandment—a rule of love—that would govern their relationships with one another.

This biblical narrative is a charter for kingdom living. Foreshadowing Christ’s ultimate act of sacrifice, enacting a paradigmatic example of Christlike service, confronting misguided and feigned fidelity, and providing a platform to teach about Christian discipleship, Jesus’ foot washing act aided the early believers to understand how to live out their faith as a community of Christ followers. It is also a reliable and relevant blueprint for Christian living in our contemporary day. Offering timeless principles for spiritual growth, this ancient historical account instructs, warns, convicts, and commands. It guides followers of Christ to live as faithful members of God’s kingdom. At the core of the narrative is Christ’s act of service toward his disciples. Only as recipients of Christ’s cleansing work in our lives can we be fit to serve one another. Yielded to Christ’s authority, may we receive his cleansing work, heed his loving example, and follow his life-changing teaching!

Biblical Interpretation: Hearing the Word

Study the Text: The Bible is God’s inspired word to his people. Christian disciples mature in the faith when they are grounded in God’s word. In this movement, you will study the basic details of the biblical text.

Observation Questions

Read (or listen to) the whole passage of Scripture. Discuss the questions below for each section of the story. Pay attention to the details of the text to recall what the passage is saying. Use the focus verses to guide your conversation.

Storycraft

Retell the story in your own words, recounting the overall flow of the narrative, the main segments of the story, and the major developments that take place.

Narrative Elements

Story Retell

Theological Dialogue: Discussing the Plot

Explore the Text: God’s word is his trustworthy and sufficient revelation to his people. We grow as Christ’s disciples by rooting our lives in God’s unchanging truth. In this movement, you will explore vital teachings of this biblical passage.

Discussion Questions

Summarize the biblical story. As a community, discuss the following questions. Be attentive to the truths taught in this text. Use the commentary on the next pages to uncover core principles this passage teaches about the Christian faith.

Biblical Commentary

Use this commentary to help you understand the meaning of the text. Refer to the infographic on the next page to think through how narratives work.

Passage Introduction

Key Idea

God is inviting us into his kingdom life through service.

Passage Overview

God invites you to a kingdom life in which you practice God’s presence through the spiritual practice of service. To be certain, many forces will dissuade you from a life of service. Temptations abound. You might be concerned about your needs, anxious for your reputation, or protective of your status. One should expect to be allured to worldly gain by self-seeking schemes. A conflict of two kingdoms will take place in your heart as well as in the world around you. Although these forces will strive to draw you away from devotion to God and service of others, you must know that the path of Christian service is a road to God’s blessing. In this biblical text, Jesus himself washed his disciples’ feet, taught about Christian service, and confronted nascent infidelity. This story is foundational to our understanding of Christian service as a spiritual practice for faith formation. Authentic service can only be achieved when there exists genuine humility, love, surrender, endurance, and sacrifice. Knowing about service is not enough. We must be actual servants who act on behalf of others. Explore the commentary alongside your study of this biblical text to learn Jesus’ example of love, and shape your own life in humble service to others.

Passage Outline

The Ministry of Towel and Basin

For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

For this reason a man generally trusts himself to the good-will of a friend rather than to the ties of relationship with his brother. So far does good-will prevail that it often goes beyond the pledges given by nature.

Introduction

The world’s values are detrimental to a life of service. General society preaches a message of self-advancement as opposed to self-sacrifice. Culture reinforces base human desires of getting rather than a selfless ethos of giving. The world teaches us (with great ferocity and regularity) to maximize one’s own pleasures rather than seek another’s welfare. Many use authority, power, and position to exploit rather than serve, nourish, and sustain. People tend to estimate their personal significance by the sum of their assets and not value expressions of other-oriented and God-glorifying service. A brief glance at the world reveals internal fracture and external disarray that is precipitated by rampant self-interest and pride. Violence is more prevalent than charity. Greed dominates simplicity. Self-preservation overshadows self-sacrifice. Competition strains our most precious relationships. At the center of such cultural decay is the prioritization and exaltation of self.

The toxic soil of a self-driven culture is uninhabitable for virtues such as love, humility, purity, and sacrifice. However inhospitable the soil, Jesus is inviting us to plant these qualities in our hearts, for they are the markers of his kingdom. These Christian virtues—really, characteristics exemplified in Christ himself—are the means by which disciples battle against the kingdom of darkness. We observe these foundational characteristics of Jesus’ kingdom in the scriptural account of the final meal Jesus had with his disciples. In this narrative, Jesus himself commended his kingdom ethic to his disciples and to disciples in future generations.

In the story of John 13:1–38, Jesus taught his disciples about the nature of his kingdom. Through a surprising act of service, Jesus exemplified the kingdom qualities of love, humility, action, and sacrifice. In his final hours with his disciples, Jesus hosted a farewell dinner, washed their feet in an extraordinary display of service, and taught them about the nature of their relationship with one another. The towel and basin that Jesus took up foreshadowed his willingness to bear the ultimate burden of the cross. All this shows that disciples of Christ are a kingdom collective who embody the humble, loving, and sacrificial service modeled by Jesus.

Despite life within the strong crosscurrents of an earthly kingdom, there is a more subtle and subversive kingdom at work in God’s world. This kingdom—God’s kingdom—is quietly reclaiming God’s world, subverting the forces of darkness with a Christ-centered ethic. God’s kingdom will not overtake the worldly kingdom with the power of forceful weaponry, conniving deceit, human schemes, political strategy, or cruel exploitation. Rather, God’s kingdom advances through the virtuous pulses of love, humility, purity, and sacrifice, qualities that are born in the soil of service. As you read about Jesus’ remarkable act of service, may your spirit and heart align themselves with God’s kingdom work done in God’s way.

Laying Aside His Outer Garments: Getting a Right View of Kingdom Authority

Biblical Narrative (John 13:1–5)

This story took place “just before the Passover Feast” (13:1). A feast celebrating God’s redemption of his enslaved Jewish people, it was a fitting time for Jesus to accomplish salvation on behalf of all sinful humanity. Jesus’ ministry on the earth was coming to an end, culminating with his crucifixion and resurrection. This act of self-sacrifice and atonement would fulfill God’s redemptive purposes. Faithful to fulfill this plan, Jesus was aware of this climactic moment of his life—“Jesus knew that His hour had come” (13:1). Because salvation would be achieved through Christ’s sacrificial death, Jesus would soon “leave this world and return to the Father” (13:1; cf. 13:3). This meant that in a short time Jesus would no longer walk the earth with his disciples. For Jesus, preparing his disciples for his absence was as important as confidently pressing toward his redemptive vocation. During his life, Jesus lived and ministered with a kingdom authority that was represented by important theological realities about Jesus: “the Father had delivered all things into His hands” and “He had come from God” (13:3). The motivation behind Jesus’ ministry and authority was love: he not only “loved His own who were in the world” but “He loved them to the very end” (13:1). The disciples were emissaries of God’s kingdom. To continue his kingdom work, they must understand and embrace the essential qualities of his kingdom, characteristics that would define their ministry to the world and their relationship with one another.

To teach about the character of his kingdom, Jesus gathered with his disciples for supper (13:2–3). He especially wanted to showcase Christian virtue because evil lurked as an imminent threat to his community of followers. Even as “the evening meal was underway,” Satan had already “put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus” (13:2). A spiritually significant time of table fellowship, this meal drew attention to the threatening battle between God’s kingdom and the forces of darkness. Two kingdoms were at work—Satan’s kingdom in hostile opposition to King Jesus. Although Christ’s kingdom would inevitably prevail, the powers of darkness still marshalled their diabolical forces in an effort to undermine Christ’s righteous reign. Christ’s kingdom would not seek its triumph by instruments of worldly design. Jesus’ kingdom was built and sustained by service between its members. To illustrate this truth, Jesus did something completely unexpected. During the meal, Jesus got up from supper, took off his outer garments, and tied a towel around his waist (13:4). In this act, he assumed the role of a humble servant. Then, he proceeded to do something that only servants did. Jesus “poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (13:5). Continuing this most humble of tasks, Jesus proceeded to dry their feet “with the towel that was around Him” (13:5). In contrast to the wicked ways of a kingdom run by evil and betrayal was Jesus’ lowly, humble, and meek care for his disciples.

Biblical Principles

Clash of Kingdoms. The opening of the narrative emphasizes Jesus’ redemptive work in the world. Jesus came to earth to redeem his people from sin. The time of his redemptive work had come. He faced death and betrayal as a means to rescue sinful humans. Jesus’ sacrificial, selfless, and preserving love energized his work (13:1). In this opening passage, the kingdom of darkness clearly opposed the kingdom of Christ (13:1–2). Jesus’ love for his disciples was in stark contrast to the devil’s insidious exploitation of Judas. Jesus’ enduring care for his disciples was a drastic antithesis to Judas’ intent to betray Jesus. Jesus possessed heavenly authority: “the Father had delivered all things into His hands” (13:3). His heavenly authority established him as the rightful and true King. In Jesus’ earthly life, people did not esteem Jesus as King and Lord. Although Jesus had divine authority, he laid down his position of prestige to serve his followers. The devil sought to usurp divine authority through a scheme and an underhanded conspiracy. In the context of this spiritual battle—a clash of kingdoms—Jesus exemplified the spiritual practice of service. Not only would service define his life, but it would also characterize the ethic, character, and duty of his kingdom community.

Lowliness, Meekness, and Humility. Kingdom service springs from self-giving humility. Importantly, Jesus inhabited the position of a lowly servant at a time when he knew his redemptive work was coming to a climax. The narrator John explicitly tells us that “Jesus knew that His hour had come” (13:1) and “Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God” (13:3). These statements reveal that Jesus was fully aware of his imminent crucifixion, heavenly authority, redemptive vocation, divine identity, and upcoming ascension. Later in the narrative, Jesus also demonstrated that he knew about Judas’ betrayal (13:11; cf. 13:2). Jesus’ knowledge about all of these realities (and more) made his act of servanthood all the more powerful. When he washed the disciples’ feet, he washed the feet of his betrayer (13:12). Jesus did not rely upon his divine nature to excuse himself from hardship. He did not appeal to prestige, status, or rank to avoid lowly service. Jesus did not delegate the act of foot washing to another. He humbled himself before his disciples and his betrayer.

Jesus’ humility and lowliness not only represent important themes of Jesus’ ministry; they also set forth primary characteristics for Christian service. In position, clothing, and act, Jesus literally took on the role of a servant. Removing his outer garments, wrapping a towel around his waist, and washing his disciples’ feet all display an embodied service. Foot washing was menial and dirty work reserved for servants. The pedestrian nature of life in Jesus’ day made foot washing an ongoing need and an unwholesome task. Certainly, the disciples were interested in their teacher’s regard and esteem. His honor would surely reflect upon them. But Jesus did not grasp or demand such recognition. He did not take comfort when the last days of his life were approaching. He risked potential misunderstanding and conflict as his disciples struggled to understand this act. Moreover, the act of foot washing was visible and concrete. Jesus did more than just speak of his love toward his disciples; he demonstrated it in a visible, observable, and definite act.

Important now as ever, Jesus embodied voluntary and humble service to the disciples he loved. He commends to us the same kind of behavior to one another. In describing the spiritual practice of service, we must include something of this depiction: meeting real needs in genuine humility with genuine love. Rooted in humility, a life of service is embraced by voluntarily lowering ourselves to serve others. It risks misunderstanding, derision, and ridicule. Servants remain confident in their spiritual identity, but willingly forgo the use of privilege and prerogative. Meek service does not seek personal attention, boast of reputation, or assert oneself into a place of importance. Humble servants embrace a life of self-denial, voluntarily surrendering themselves to the needs of others rather than asserting their rights or demanding privileged treatment. Inasmuch as Jesus’ surprising and unexpected act of service is commended to us, the virtue of humility is highlighted as a prerequisite for this work.

Unless I Wash You: Sharing in the Portion of Kingdom Purity

Biblical Narrative (John 13:6–11)

Jesus’ act of humble service resulted in a spiritual conversation about purity and godliness. As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, he eventually came to his lead disciple. Commonly a spokesperson for the group of Christ followers, Peter asked hesitantly about Jesus washing his feet: “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” (13:6). Peter could not understand how Jesus could perform a duty reserved for lowly household servants. After all, Jesus was his Master and Lord. Instructing Peter patiently and forthrightly, Jesus explained that Peter might “not realize now” (13:7) what Jesus was doing, but he would later understand the greater significance of the event. In adamant protest, Peter told Jesus, “Never shall You wash my feet” (13:8). Jesus responded to Peter’s objection with a kingdom-focused warning: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me” (13:8). Peter may have intended to express his wholehearted commitment to Jesus (and perhaps elevate himself above his fellow disciples), but his response would betray his spiritual ignorance. Relationship with Jesus and participation in his kingdom were based upon being a recipient of Jesus’ humble and loving service (cf. Acts 8:21; Revelation 20:6; 22:19).

When Peter realized the foolishness of his exclamation, he asked Jesus to wash him more thoroughly: “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well” (13:9). Once again, Peter did not fully understand the essence of Christ’s work. Jesus explained that “whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean” (13:10). Essentially, genuine disciples of Christ have already been cleansed and forgiven, like a person who has taken a bath. Although such people will get soiled as they walk through life, they only need their feet to be washed. Sincere faith in Christ results in a definitive forgiveness of sin. While Christ’s followers will get dirty in the struggle against sin and need to seek Christ’s cleansing, they do so as disciples who have already received a decisive and irreversible cleansing. Although Jesus affirmed that Peter had already received this cleansing—“you are clean” (13:10)—he also warned his disciples, “not all of you are clean” (13:11; cf. 13:10). This reference to Judas (cf. 13:2) called his disciples to be watchful and alert. Sadly, it is possible to feign fidelity to Jesus, pretending to be one of the cleansed. It is possible to appear externally religious but not be internally devoted to Christ. Of this unfortunate and tragic reality, disciples of all times and places need to be warned. Evidence of genuine discipleship is seen in the godliness and purity of those who have received forgiveness of sin through faith in Christ.

Biblical Principles

Spiritual Understanding. Jesus’ act of humble service exposed Peter’s ignorance. Peter’s initial question (13:6) to Jesus expressed his disapproval of Jesus’ actions, considering them indecorous, unseemly, and unfitting. His secondary refusal (13:8) was obstinate as it was emphatic. Peter’s verbal efforts to showcase his devotion only further exposed his misunderstanding. In fact, his eventual acceptance of Jesus’ act of service (13:8) only revealed his lack of spiritual understanding to a greater extent. In the unfolding narrative, a clear contrast emerges: Peter could not make sense of Jesus’ act of humble service, while Jesus has knowledge of Judas’ hidden plot against Jesus (13:11). Whatever the nature of Peter’s hesitancies, his expressed concerns uncover his spiritual ignorance. Jesus’ kingdom operated by a different reasoning. By Jesus’ own words, the kingdom logic that establishes service as a fitting mode of discipleship was something Peter would only later understand (13:7). While Jesus’ life provided an example of this service, Jesus’ death and resurrection would epitomize it. For his early disciples (and all his followers in subsequent generations), the work of Jesus on the cross would be the ultimate act of service. More than just providing a superlative example, Jesus’ act of service at the cross would effectuate change in the lives of Jesus’ disciples. It is out of this transformed existence—a transformation of forgiveness, cleansing, and purification—that Christ’s followers would serve Jesus and their fellow disciples.

Purity, Godliness, and Cleansing. The subject matter of Jesus’ conversation with Peter revolved around cleansing and purification. Two kinds of cleansing are referred to: foot washing (13:6–9) and bathing (13:9–10). While these two acts do refer to modes of physical washing, they are also used to point to people’s spiritual realities. In this passage, bathing with water refers to a definitive and decisive cleansing of a whole person. This whole-life cleansing vividly depicts forgiveness of sin, liberation from guilt, and removal of shame. In Jesus’ representative action, foot washing symbolized cleansing of sin for those who are already believers in Christ. Forgiven believers will still sin. Those who have received once-for-all forgiveness need Jesus to continue his purifying work in their lives. The life of discipleship entails both initial and ongoing cleansing. Jesus is the only source of purification for both types of cleansing. The act of foot-washing did not have the power to cleanse Jesus’ disciples in a total, complete, or saving sense. This full cleansing was only possible because of Jesus’ eventual work on the cross, an act that the ceremony of foot-washing foreshadowed. Still, by washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus symbolically highlighted that his kingdom would operate in purity, godliness, and holiness.

What Jesus’ act of service symbolized is instructive for disciples who embrace the spiritual practice of service. Service has a purifying effect on God’s community and in God’s world. Loving, self-sacrificing service that comes from a pure heart is a powerful means to strengthen God’s people in their new way of life. Caring for the sick can curb the cruel tide of loneliness. Sharing possessions can restrain the currents of greed. Providing for widows can silence the voice of self-indulgence. Aiding fellow believers with practical necessities can quell the throb of impatience. Certainly, Christian service to one another cannot provide redemption from sin. Jesus’ atonement alone has this cleansing effect (compared to whole-person bathing). However, loving acts of service can edify and establish God’s people for kingdom living. In this way, Jesus’ act of service was not only a divine act that the disciples were intended to receive, but also an exemplary act that the disciples were meant to emulate.

As I Have Done for You: Following the Example of Kingdom Living

Biblical Narrative (John 13:12–20)

Eventually, Jesus finished washing his disciples’ feet. When he completed this humble act of lowly service, he “put on His outer garments” and “reclined with [his disciples] again” (13:12). At this time, Jesus explained the nature of discipleship so that they could understand the meaning of his symbolic act—to “know what I have done for you” (13:12). Jesus affirmed that his disciples rightly viewed him as “Teacher” and “Lord” (13:13). To view Jesus in this regard was to follow his example. For apprentices and servants of Christ, fidelity to Jesus was expressed in imitation. Consequently, Jesus told his followers, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (13:14). As much as genuine disciples are recipients of Christ’s service, they are also emulators of his example. Jesus made this teaching explicit: “I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you” (13:15). The compelling example of Christ serves as the blueprint for all Christian living in all generations and cultures.

In the narrative, the call to service was not an optional mode of living for a select few of the disciples. Living life modeled after Christ’s example was intrinsic to discipleship itself. All disciples are called to the kind of life Jesus himself lived. Disciples are servants and messengers of Christ and should not think that they will be excused from the kind of life which the Master has lived. In this way, no disciple is “greater than” his Lord (13:16). Those who embrace Jesus’ mode of life are promised blessing (13:17). Not all those who profess Jesus with words are disciples in reality. In fact, Jesus’ call to discipleship was not addressed to all of those sitting at the meal. Jesus knew that, although Judas shared bread with Jesus in table fellowship, he would soon betray him with malicious intent (13:18). While Jesus was the paradigm of godly living, Judas was the paragon of faithlessness. This spiritual reality warns all those who call themselves disciples. Jesus prophesied in advance about Judas’ betrayal in order that his disciples’ faith would be strengthened “when it comes to pass” (13:19). In contrast to Judas, those who truly receive Jesus—those Jesus has chosen (13:18)—would also enter into relationship with God the Father (13:20). To call Jesus as Teacher and Lord was to follow in his steps; to profess Jesus in word without heeding his example was to follow the dangerous and destructive path of Judas.

Biblical Principles

Service as Expression of Genuine Faith. Jesus asked if Peter understood what he did in the act of washing his disciples’ feet. This question about understanding—“do you know” (13:12)—addressed an important facet of the Christian life. The specific kind of understanding Jesus was referring to may be termed “applied knowledge.” The blessing of spiritual knowledge only comes when our knowledge is translated into action: “If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (13:17). Jesus did not want his disciples to merely be able to explain Christian service but to actually practice it. Those who embrace the practice of Christlike service evidence their genuine faith in Christ. In contrast to those who oppose Jesus (13:18) are genuine disciples who actually receive Jesus (13:20). An established relationship with Jesus reconciles people to God the Father. Importantly, Christ’s servants who go out into the world are important evangelistic agents: those who receive genuine servants of Christ demonstrate receptivity to Jesus. Therefore, Christian service is an expression of genuine faith in Christ. Many will feign faith in Jesus, and many will casually participate in the general fellowship of believers. In the end, false disciples will be exposed by their opposition to Jesus and their lack of service to God’s people.

Example, Model, and Imitation. Christian service is based upon the example of Jesus. In this passage, Jesus explicitly upheld himself as a model of Christian service and called his followers to treat the other disciples the way Jesus treated them: “You also should wash one another’s feet” (13:14), “I have set you an example” (13:15), “Do as I have done for you” (13:15), “No servant is greater than his master” (13:16), and “You will be blessed if you do them” (13:17). Jesus’ identity and his relationship with his followers encouraged disciples to follow his example. The nature of discipleship is to both embrace the teacher’s instruction and to emulate the teacher’s way of life. That Jesus lowered himself in humble service of his disciples means that all disciples should treat each other in kind. If the Master behaved in such a way, it is also the expected conduct of his faithful followers. Too often, believers relish in the benefits of the Christian life to the neglect of their binding duty to other believers. Many view charitable and sacrificial service as a burden rather than a blessing. Certainly, Christian service will at times feel inconvenient, inconsequential, and burdensome. But this is all the more reason to acquire Jesus’ kingdom logic and spiritual understanding. We grow into faithful servants of Christ as we embrace the values and perspective upheld by Christ. Counterculturally and counterintuitively, personal blessing in the Christian life comes from adherence to Jesus’ example, however much this example calls us to elevate the needs of others above our own.

Who Is It: Steadfast Endurance: Coming to Terms with Kingdom Commitment

Biblical Narrative (John 13:21–30)

After Jesus taught his disciples about the nature of Christian discipleship, he addressed the infidelity that was in the room. Overcome by his pending betrayal, Jesus “became troubled in spirit” (13:21). His words to his gathered community were explicit and direct: “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me” (13:21). This prophetic and pointed word came in the form of trustworthy testimony (13:21). The statement affected his followers. In response, the disciples wondered who “looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant” (13:22). The disciple John, “the one whom Jesus loved” (13:23), was reclining at Jesus’ side during the meal. Peter signaled to John, silently requesting that he ask about who Jesus was referring to (13:24). John asked Jesus to identify his betrayer (13:25).

In a dramatic and symbolic display, Jesus answered the question with true words and theatrical action: “It is the one to whom I give this morsel after I have dipped” (13:26). Earlier, Jesus had already revealed that “the one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me” (13:19). This was a prophetic announcement to identify the betrayer. Subsequently, Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas (13:26). At that moment, “Satan entered into him” (13:27; cf. 13:2). Then, Jesus told Judas to complete his scheme of betrayal “quickly” (13:27). Despite Jesus’ own words, scriptural prophecy, and symbolic act, the disciples still did not fully understand what Jesus was talking about. Some merely thought that Jesus was instructing Judas to buy food for the feast or to give some money to the poor (13:28–29). Nevertheless, when Judas took the bread, he left the dinner to perform his betrayal (13:30). To capture the ominous and insidious nature of Judas’ deed, John reminds his readers that the time of Judas’ departure from the meal was “night” (13:30).

Biblical Principles

The Role of Actions in the Faith. Jesus instructed his disciples to “do as I have done for you” (13:15) and offered them the promise that “you will be blessed if you do them” (13:17). The basis of the disciples’ service would be grounded in Jesus’ own actions—“what I am doing” (13:7). Only later would they fully understand these actions. In contrast to this service-oriented conduct of Jesus and his disciples, Jesus commanded Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly” (13:27). There is a contrast and biting rebuke in Jesus’ words. He is not only condemning Judas’ unfaithfulness but also saying that Judas’ spiritual condition would be truly revealed by his actions. Christ’s service was juxtaposed against Judas’ betrayal. While moral conduct cannot bring about a relationship with Christ, our actions do reveal the substance and integrity of our faith. This is why Jesus put such a heavy emphasis on Christian service. We do not earn salvation by our care for fellow believers, but we do demonstrate the sincerity of our faith when we care for others in loving and humble service.

Devotion, Commitment, and Fidelity. Judas was an anti-disciple. His life was the antithesis of God’s kingdom. He was outwardly a follower of Jesus but inwardly an instrument of Satan. His cloak of discipleship could not ultimately prove (though it may have deceived others for a season) that he was a genuine follower of Christ. Jesus already knew his true nature—conspiratorial, opportunistic, and wicked. In his heart, Judas was against God’s kingdom. Betrayal rather than loyalty, hatred rather than love, and darkness rather than light characterized this man. Amazingly, Judas’ exposure as the Lord’s betrayer occurred in the midst of Jesus’ act of service. The contrast is undeniable. Those unwilling to embrace the servant’s position will have no share with Jesus (13:8, 18) and end up lifting up their heel in opposition to Christ (13:18). Although it is different in kind, Peter’s eventual denial was still infidelity to Christ. Although the egregious betrayal by Judas was literarily adjacent to Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s denial (13:37–38), Judas represents the real villain in this narrative. Because Peter was humble and contrite, he recovered from his denial with forgiveness and restoration. Judas’ betrayal was irreparable because he lacked loyalty to Christ. His selfish ambition made him an enemy of Christ and an instrument of Satan. Dining together for dinner (13:21), sharing a morsel of bread with Jesus (13:18, 26, 30), and occupying an official role as keeper of the money bag (13:28–29) could not ultimately conceal Judas’ fundamental loyalty to Satan (13:2, 27).

In contrast to Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial is Jesus’ faithfulness to fulfill his purpose in the world. In fact, Jesus remained faithful to God the Father. Jesus “loved His own who were in the world” so much that “He loved them to the very end” (13:1). Through negative and positive examples, the characters in this narrative emphasize the important theme of commitment, dedication, and faithfulness to God. At a fundamental level, Christian service is an expression of devotion to God. Genuine believers in Christ express their faith in visible acts of care for others. Feigned commitment and faux table fellowship characterized Judas. His example is a grave warning to us. This biblical text enjoins us to evaluate the sincerity of our own faith. In contrast, Jesus’ steadfast endurance to love his disciples to the very end—facing crucifixion, enduring betrayal, experiencing denial, and undergoing rejection—represents genuine devotion to God. And, this genuine devotion was manifest in Jesus’ loving and humble service of his disciples.

A New Commandment: Embodying the Essence of Kingdom Ethic

Biblical Narrative (John 13:31–30)

After Judas left the meal, Jesus taught the remaining disciples another lesson on the nature of discipleship and kingdom living. Jesus told his disciples that the Son of Man (Jesus) was glorified, and his glory brought glory to his Father in such a way that caused the Father to glorify the Son of Man (13:31–33). This statement predicted Jesus’ death and resurrection: the ultimate act of service. Jesus showed that kingdom service would bring glory to God. He then explained that he would be with his disciples only “a little while longer” (13:33). Although the disciples would seek Jesus after his departure, they could not go where he was going (13:33). Jesus’ life and sacrifice would certainly serve as an model and example for service, but his once-for-all act of dying on the cross was a redemptive act that the disciples could not replicate.

At this very important moment, Jesus gave his disciples “a new commandment” (13:34). This new commandment enjoined disciples to a countercultural, but Christlike, way of life. The imperative of the command was simple and substantive: “Love one another” (13:34). Appealing to his own example (cf. 13:12–17), Jesus enjoined his disciples to love each other the way that he loved them (13:34). For the disciples to treat each other with this kind of love would be a powerful and resounding testimony: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (13:35). The world would identify genuine disciples by the authenticity of their love for each other. This brief part of the narrative contains important teachings on the nature of Christian discipleship. Kingdom living seeks to glorify God, recognizes the brevity of life, lives to the fullest in each moment for God’s purposes, and obeys God’s commands with a heart of love. Kingdom service not only involves the way we live toward one another but also the way we live before God. Our service to others is, first and foremost, a service to God in which we surrender our lives to his glory, purpose, and commands. The degree to which we embrace a surrendered life reveals the sincerity of love we have toward God. As God’s people exhibit this kingdom love, it becomes a powerful testimony to the kingdoms of the world.

Biblical Principles

Mutuality and Reciprocity in the Godhead. Jesus explained the nature of his mission by teaching his disciples about his relationship with God the Father. Jesus described his pending death as a time of glorification. Not only would Jesus’ death bring redemption to sinful humanity, but his gruesome crucifixion would also give way to triumphant resurrection. In these ways, Jesus’ obedient service to God the Father was a loving service to mankind. The willingness of Christ to die on the cross would result in the mutual and reciprocal glorification of God the Father and God the Son. Speaking of himself as the Son of Man, Jesus explained that “God is glorified in Him [the Son of Man]” (13:31) and that “God will also glorify the Son in Himself” (13:33). God the Father would be glorified in the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross. Conversely, God the Father would glorify Jesus through his redemptive work on the cross, and God would do this unhesitatingly to “glorify Him at once” (13:32). Amazingly, God the Father and God the Son relate to each other with a sincere concern and mutual commitment. To the extent that Christian service seeks to put another person’s interests above one’s own, the Godhead superlatively showcases this spiritual practice in the mutual glorification of the members of the Trinity. Rather than seeking one’s own glory, jockeying for superior status, competing for first place, or protecting their personal privilege, the members of the Godhead seek the glory of each other. If God himself practices such mutuality and reciprocity in himself, how much more is this a blueprint of Christian discipleship and service? Moreover, when Christians embrace a service-oriented life, it also results in God’s glory. In this way, our visible acts of care based on our selfless concern for others are a means to worship God.

Christian Service as an Act of Love. Jesus’ loving service of his disciples would form his followers into a community of love. Genuine faith in Christ would be expressed in the way believers lovingly treated one another. Love for one another would be the badge of their collective communion, a defining mark of God’s kingdom, and a public witness to the surrounding world. Scheming, self-absorbed Judases have no place in the community of Jesus. That Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another highlights the great importance of love as a kingdom ethic. In addition, the fact that Jesus called this “ethic of love” a “new commandment” (13:34) represented the transformed life to which Jesus called his disciples. God has always been a God of love. The command to love was even recorded in the Old Testament (cf. Leviticus 19:18). This new commandment was not new in terms of being a recent development; rather, it was new in terms of representing an alternative way of community life. Jesus called Christians to interpersonal relationships that were different from the ways of the world. Accordingly, the peculiar way in which believers cared for each other in loving service would be a means for the surrounding world to " know that you are My disciples" (13:35). Consequently, Christian service expressed in love toward other disciples is a manifest and compelling testimony of Christ. For the early disciples and for us, God has wedded together community care and public witness.

Lay Down Your Life: Preparing to Pay the Kingdom Cost

Biblical Narrative (John 13:36–38)

Despite Jesus’ ample foreshadowing, prediction, teaching, and symbolic action, Peter did not quite understand the full extent of Jesus’ instruction. When he asked Jesus where he was going, Jesus told Peter that he could not follow him where he was going (13:36). Speaking of the kind of life and death that Peter would endure, Jesus did say that one day Peter would “follow later” (13:36) in Jesus’ steps. Peter expressed his desire to follow Jesus at the present time. In fact, he affirmed that he was ready to “lay down [his] life” for Jesus (13:37). Jesus questioned Peter’s emphatic and confident: “Will you lay down your life for Me?” (13:38). Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the morning rooster crowed three times (13:38). The final part of this conversation emphasized the sacrificial nature of discipleship and Christ-centered kingdom service.

Biblical Principles

Following Jesus as Disciples. As we arrive at the final scene of this narrative, the essence of discipleship again comes to the foreground. Jesus explained to his disciples that he would soon leave them (13:33). The natural question that arose was whether Peter would “follow” (13:36; cf. 13:47) Jesus. The idea of “following” is what disciples do: they walk in the steps of their master. Importantly, Jesus did not tell Peter that he would never follow Jesus where he was going. Rather, he explained that Peter would not follow him at the present time. Of course, all of this language of departure is a reference to Jesus’ pending death by crucifixion and his eventual post-resurrection ascension to heaven. One day, Peter would follow Jesus in a similar journey: death to resurrection to unending life. For now, he was called to follow Christ in his earthly life, even though Jesus would depart from the earth. Peter’s call to discipleship is broadly applicable to all believers. Christians follow Christ even though he does not physically inhabit the earth. The life of discipleship entails following Jesus faithfully in our daily life and in our eventual death. Disciples of Jesus emulate the character of Christ’s life and ministry. Counting the cost, believers embrace an earthly life of self-denial and sacrifice, motivated by the promised reward of an eternal life of bliss and blessing, energized by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, fueled by wholehearted love of God and neighbor, and exemplified by Christ’s extraordinary example in his own life and ministry.

Sacrificial Devotion. The final scene of this story underscores a key dynamic of kingdom life: the willingness to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of God’s kingdom cause. By this time in the narrative, it is clear that the end of Jesus’ life is near. He will soon die on the cross, be resurrected from the dead, and ascend to heaven. This was all part of God’s plan to redeem sinful humans. Jesus’ redemptive work was also Jesus’ demonstration of loving his people to the very end (cf. 13:1). Although Jesus’ near departure looms over this scene, he did not identify the specific place where he was “going” (13:36; cf. 13:33). This did not prevent Peter from asserting his wholehearted devotion to Jesus. When Jesus said that Peter could not follow him now (13:36), Peter firmly expressed his desire to follow Jesus “now” and adamantly asserted his willingness to lay down his life for his Lord (13:37). Peter’s eagerness outpaced his actual loyalty to Christ. In the not-too-distant hours, Peter would deny Jesus three times (13:38). Peter’s expression of commitment is confessionally accurate—he says the right words and expresses fitting sentiments of devotion—but his instincts of self-preservation will soon overtake his spiritual fervor.

In many ways, Peter serves as a foil in order to explain the essence of faith devotion. Attentiveness to Jesus’ leading, eagerness to follow Jesus wherever he goes, and willingness to sacrifice one’s life for Jesus are characteristics of genuine faith and authentic loyalty to Christ. Although Peter did not fully understand how to live out these expressions at the time of this narrative, the heart and content behind these attitudes capture devotion to Christ. But discipleship is more than words. What Peter lacked is also what many of us lack: readiness to back our words with actions. Accurate confession of discipleship basics is crucial to the life of a Christian, but this must be reinforced with an unfeigned and earnest surrender to follow Jesus to the end. Only this kind of wholehearted and all-consuming devotion will sustain disciples in the life of faith and in the spiritual practice of Christian service.

Conclusion

Near the end of his life, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. To the great surprise of his disciples, Jesus humbled himself and washed his disciples’ feet. Peter objected to his Savior performing this lowly act of service, prompting Jesus to teach Peter how Jesus’ act of service related to his purification from sin. Jesus enjoined his disciples to follow his example, serving one another as he served them. Jesus helped his disciples see that service of one another is a derivative of one’s devotion to God. As such, Jesus purged his community of a false disciple, Judas, and confronted Peter’s own pending denial of Jesus. Jesus clearly taught that the life of a disciple involved unreserved loyalty and life-giving sacrifice. The same is true for the life of a Christian today. It also involves loving concern for other Christians that results in God’s glory. All these converge into a kingdom ethic whereby Christians serve each other as Christ has first served them.

Offering our lives to serve the well-being of others is God’s strategy to help realize his kingdom on earth. But many obstacles stand in the way of a life of service. We see such obstacles as we see the two opposing kingdoms at work in this biblical narrative. Ultimately, Jesus’ kingdom will triumph over the powers of darkness. This will not take place by human force but by embracing the ethic of Jesus’ kingdom. The story speaks about knowing and doing, leading and serving, clean and unclean, and love and betrayal. The misunderstanding of Peter and the malicious betrayal of Judas are warnings to all who refuse to follow Christ. Assuredly, following Christ involves practicing a life of service, modeled through Jesus’ example and elucidated by Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was willing to lower himself to serve his disciples when he rightfully possessed—and still possesses—all the authority of heaven. The Son of Man got his hands dirty in order to cleanse his disciples’ feet. Christ embraced the life of sacrifice, achieving salvation by the death-absorbing blow of the cross. The humble and sacrificial service of God’s Son was motivated by his love for his disciples and his faithfulness to God the Father. While embracing this way of life will certainly cause us to face hardship and difficulty, it promises unexplainable blessing. Jesus’ life and words commend to us the spiritual practice of service. In kind, may we take up the towel and the basin in service of one another.

Session Synopsis

SESSION 5 SYNOPSIS
Christian Service	In this passage, Jesus commends the practice of Christian service. As Jesus neared the end of his earthly life and ministry, he demonstrated his love to his disciples and commitment to God the Father with a humble display of service. Around a meal, Jesus took the position and attire of a lowly servant and washed the feet of his disciples. This prompted a discussion about purity, salvation, discipleship, faithfulness, and love. These various topics outline how Christ’s followers should embrace their faith as a life of service. A summary of this story’s principles is outlined below.
Clash of Two Kingdoms	The Christian faith is lived out in the context of a clash of kingdoms: God’s kingdom of righteousness triumphing over Satan’s kingdom of evil (13:1–3, 11, 18–19, 21, 26–27).
Christian Service	Jesus Christ took on the role, position, and character of a servant by washing his disciples’ feet (13:4–8, 12–17, 16). His act is an example and model worthy of imitation (13:14–17). Christian service is an expression of faithfulness, bringing love and concern to action (13:7, 15, 17; cf. 13:27).
Characteristics of Christian Service	Christian service is an act of lowliness, meekness, and humility (13:4–7). It is also an expression of love for God and others (13:1, 34–35 cf. 13:23). In Christian service, we act in self-denial, sacrifice, and selfless concern for others (13:1–3, 12–17, 36–38). This act is to be done toward “one another,” displaying a mutuality and reciprocity that builds Christian community (13:14, 22, 31–35).
Salvation and Spiritual Understanding	Christians must receive Christ’s service before they can serve others. Believers who place their faith in Christ receive once-for-all forgiveness in salvation and ongoing cleansing of sin as they grow in the faith (13:6–10). Christian service is a matter of spiritual understanding that comes from receptivity to God’s redemptive work in Christ (13:3, 7, 11–12, 17–18, 35).
Devotion to Christ	Christian service is an expression of genuine faith and devotion to Christ (13:8, 12, 17–18, 20, 33, 36–38). Judas represents those who have a superficial association with Christ—table fellowship (13:21), sharing bread (13:18, 26, 30), and an official role in the community (13:28–29)—but do not have genuine loyalty to Christ (13:2, 27). Peter represents those who have genuine faith in Christ (13:9–10) but need to be restored after failures and subsequent sin (13:36–38). Jesus represented this as an example of perfect faithfulness (13:12–17) and also the object of our faith (13:1–3).

Personal Reflection: Entering the Story

Apply the Text: The word of God is binding and authoritative, the only reliable guide for faith and godliness. True disciples submit themselves to God’s word. In this movement, you will apply God’s word to your lives.

Reflection Questions

Encourage one person to share a testimony about how this story has impacted them so far. Use the reflection questions to examine your life in light of this biblical passage.

Spiritual Practice

Acts of Service

In the upcoming week, think through an act of service that you can provide for someone else. Think of an act that meets a real need, will require time, and allows you to put yourself in the service of others without expecting payback. Then, do it. As you perform this act, think through the experience: What hesitations did you have? What mixed motives were present? How might you prepare yourself better for a subsequent act of service?

**

Ministry Practice: Rehearsing the Script

Minister the Text: God’s word is living and active. Through God’s word, the Christian community is edified. In this movement, you will utilize the biblical passage to minister to other believers and build them up in their faith.

Application Questions

Look at the infographic below. Use the questions to think about how to minister this text to other believers.

Missional Outreach: Publicizing the Truth

Witness the Text: The Bible is a message of God’s gracious salvation to the world. In word and deed, God’s people proclaim the good news of the gospel. In this movement, you will use this biblical passage to reach out to unbelievers.

Strategy Questions

Reflect on the infographic below. Consider how you can use this passage to witness to the surrounding world. Use the suggested ideas to prime your imagination. Then, put together a plan to share this passage with unbelievers, Afterward, reflect on this mission experience.