Servant to others

John 13:1-17

Let us come at once to the teaching of the Saviour, and let it be surrounded with an unusual interest, because of the fact that it is his dying teaching.

Spurgeon. C.H., 1865. Jesus Washing his Disciples' Feet.
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With the cross looming, the King of the universe washed His disciples' feet. Why would Jesus do such a thing?

Begg. A., 2014. The Servant King.
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John 13:1

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (use)

As the first Passover had been the turning point in the redemption of the people of God, so the Cross would be the opening of a new era for believers.

Tenney, M.C., 1981. John. In John-Acts. Vol. 9 of The Expositor's Bible Commentary. pg.135
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John 13:3

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, (use)

For, to confess that God exists, and at the same time to deny that He has foreknowledge of future things, is the most manifest folly

Augustine of Hippo, 426AD. City of God.
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The idea that God declares his future purposes to his servants is at the heart of the book's theology.

Wenham, G., 1977. Daniel The Basic Issues.
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Christ gives here a clear proof of his Divinity; first, when he declares that he does not judge after the manner of men; and, secondly, when he pronounces himself to be the Author of election. For when he says, I know, the knowledge, of which he speaks, belongs peculiarly to God; but the second proof — contained in the words, whom I have chosen — is far more powerful, for he testifies that they who were elected before the creation of the world were elected by himself.

Calvin, J., 1555. Commentary.
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John 13:2

During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, (use)

However, this man was an apostle of Christ's whom Satan tempted to betray him; so that we see that the highest office, and greatest gifts, cannot secure men from the temptations of Satan.

Gills, J., 1748. Exposition of the Bible Commentary.
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Few incidents in the gospel story so reveal the character of Jesus and so perfectly show his love. When we think of what Jesus might have been and of what he might have done the supreme wonder of what he was and did comes home to us.

Barclay, W., 1953. Daily Study Bible.
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All of the Gospel writers integrated Jesus' ministry to the masses and His training of the Twelve. But John recorded much of Jesus' private teaching of the Twelve, between the Triumphal Entry and His arrest, that the other evangelists did not mention.

Constable, T., 2022. Expository Notes.
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John 13:5

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (use)

"Where did you get those liberal talking points?" And what was alarming to me{Moore} is that in most of these scenarios, when the pastor would say, "I'm literally quoting Jesus Christ," the response would not be, "I apologize." The response would be, "Yes, but that doesn't work anymore. That's weak."

Moore.R., 2023. He was a top church official who criticized Trump. He says Christianity is in crisis. On, All Things Considered
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Jesus Christ was a consummate philosopher: every subject appears grand and noble in his hands.

Clarke, A., 1831. Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.
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John 13:7

Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." (use)

The words of our Lord to Peter, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter", show that underneath the outward action of the Lord in washing the disciples' feet there is a deeper spiritual meaning.

Gaebelein, A., 1922. Arno Gaebelein Annotated Bible.
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John 13:8

Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." (use)

We must let Christ take his own way, and we shall find in the issue it was the best way.

Henry, M., 1896. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible. UK. John
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Ah! my hearers, some of you are so far from ever having your feet washed daily, that you have never been washed at all. "There is a fountain filled with blood," but filled in vain, as far as you are concerned; there is a Saviour, but you are unsaved; there is balm in Gilead, but you are not healed; there is a Physician there, but you are still sick; there is life in Christ, but you are dead; the brazen serpent is lifted up, but you are dying of the fiery serpent’s bite. One look at Jesus will save, but that look you have not given; you are without God, without Christ, without hope.

Spurgeon. C.H., 1865. Jesus Washing his Disciples' Feet.
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John 13:10

Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." (use)

He is the Advocate with the Father to restore us to fellowship. We must come to Him with our failures, our stumbling, imperfect walk, our defilement, and place ourselves into His hands as the disciples placed their soiled feet in His loving hands. His own perfect light will then search our innermost beings and bring to light what has defiled us, so that, after cleansing, we can enjoy His fellowship and have part with Him.

Gaebelein, A., 1922. Arno Gaebelein Annotated Bible.
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Washed by the blood once for sins but with the feet washing as reminder on ongoing forgiveness.

John 13:14

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (use)

Is it not most significant that nothing is said in this chapter about the washing of the disciples' hands?

Pink, A.W., 1945. Exposition of the Gospel of John.
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John 13:15

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (use)

Humility is the only soil in which the graces root,

Wiersbe, W.W., 1989. The Bible Exposition Commentary. 1:345
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What was I made for?

Eilish. B., 2023. What was I made for?
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Denial is great. Sacrifice is fantastic. And we have a lot to learn from such willpower and discipline. But discipline for what? To “delight in Christ”? Or to have a vegan diet, so that we reduce animal suffering and Climate Change?

Ferencik, J., 2017. Why Lukewarm Christianity is the Only Good Option for a Secular Society.
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Mark 2:24

And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" (use)

Now, therefore, he discloses the reason of what he had done; namely, that he who is the Master and Lord of all gave an example to be followed by all the godly, that none might grudge to descend to do a service to his brethren and equals, however mean and low that service might be.

Calvin, J., 1555. Commentary.
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You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilization—these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit— immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.

Lewis, C.S., 1941. The Weight of Glory.
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The world is full of people who are standing on their dignity when they ought to be kneeling at the feet of their brethren.

Barclay, W., 1953. Daily Study Bible.
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The Church has for the most part looked below the mere form to the real substance of the Lord's teaching, and only thus can we appreciate it adequately... ...The service demanded is the self-forgetting ministry of love, which places the interests of self behind and below those of others. Nothing is more theoretically easy and acceptable than this principle, but nothing more difficult of accomplishment.

Spence-Jones, H.D.M., 1880. The Pulpit Commentary.
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John 13:13

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. (use)

Humanity has no redemption arc outside of the cross of christ