The Ultimate in Love (John 13:1-20)
Transcript
We have strong rule in the UK about what you can write on your epitaph. Just you name and you direct relative. A loving husband to or a loving father of.
In some countries I am aware you can write a thing called an epitaph. That led me to think that I could write my own epitaph, what would I write?
I've thought of at least three possibilities for myself.
Possibility number one might be: "A Bible Student." Now, I don't mean to imply by that that I think I’m a great Bible student or even a great bible teacher. I just mean to say that that’s what I am, and that is what I have been doing might for most of my adult life, part time and full time.
A second possibility is to not write what I am, but what I want to be. As a matter of fact, some have suggested that you ought to write your epitaph before you die, and then that ought to become the goal of your life. That’s what you want to strive to be before you die.
Taking that approach, I could to aspire to be “A man of God." In my life I’ve had good moment and bad moments, but I think that the desire of my heart is to be a man of God. If I know my heart—and Jeremiah warns me that no one really knows their own heart, but I think that’s what I’d really like to be, perhaps more than anything else in the world.
I have a third suggestion. Apart from being a Bible student, and a man of God, there is one other thing I would like to be the goal of my life. I just want to be a lover of God” You see, I think that the ultimate aim in life is to be someone who loves God.
I don’t mean in the human sense of the term; I mean in the heavenly sense of the term. As I understand God’s word, that’s what God wishes for all of us to be. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul says, "Now abides faith, love, and hope, and the greatest of these is love."
So, from God’s point of view, the ultimate in life—the ultimate this side of the grave—is that we learn to love one another and to love God.
But what does that really mean? The subject of love is so clouded and confused these days. So when I say love, what do I mean?
The standard answer given by Bible experts is that love is seeking the highest good for the object loved—that it’s doing what is best for the other person. That I think that’s what heavenly love all is about.
But let me go a step beyond that and ask: What is the ultimate expression of that of love? What is love in the ultimate, from God’s point of view?
That’s what I’d like to explore with you this morning as we look at a passage in John chapter 13. This is the passage that talks about the Lord washing the disciples' feet, and I have concluded that the point of this passage has to do with love.
So welcome to TBPDP….
So, let’s look at it. I would divide the passage into two parts: In the first eleven verses, we are simply given the events of the foot washing scene, and then in verses twelve to twenty, the Lord gives an explanation—or I should say, several explanations—to the disciples. So, let’s begin by looking at the event itself. John 13, verse one says...
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet.
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
(John 13: 1-11)
This opening verse contains several intertwined phrases. It mentions that it was before the Feast of Passover and that Jesus knew His time had come to depart from this world. But the key phrase I want to highlight is: “He loved them to the end.”
This can mean one of two things: either He loved them to the end of His life, just before His crucifixion, or He loved them completely and utterly. Most Bible scholars favour the latter interpretation, and so do I. It's significant I believe that before John details the events, he tells us that Jesus loved them utterly. This then sets the stage for the ultimate expression of love.
John then describes the setting: "The supper having ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son the idea to betray Him."
So please note, despite knowing what was in Judas' heart, Jesus chose to act in love. John emphasizes that Jesus was fully aware of the betrayal to come, yet He still washed the feet of the one who would cause His death. Ancient sources even suggests that Jesus started with Judas, showcasing an incredible example of loving despite betrayal.
Another layer is then added for our benefit. It tells us that Jesus was fully aware of His divine origin and destiny and despite His greatness, He chose to humble Himself and serve.
This contrasts with our human tendency to withhold love from people when we know the worst about others or the best about ourselves. Jesus knew the worst about His disciples and the best about Himself, yet He still loved them completely.
Then we are told "He rose from supper and laid aside His outer garments, took a towel and wrapped it around Himself." In the ancient world, guests would have their feet washed by a servant upon arrival due to the dusty roads. By taking on this task himself, Jesus is demonstrated the ultimate act of love and humility.
Jesus' actions challenge us to love others despite any flaws they have and to serve humbly, even when we know they are not well disposed to us. This passage reveals that true love is not deterred by betrayal or pride but is demonstrated through selfless service and humility.
As I mentioned earlier, Jesus probably started by washing Judas’ feet. Verse five tells us, "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." Imagine this: the Son of God, God in the flesh, taking on the role of a servant, washing the feet of His disciples, starting with the one who would betray Him.
Verse one tells us that Jesus loved them to the end. His first act of love was to take the position of a servant and wash their feet. The essence of this passage is that the ultimate form of love is serving others.
The true measure of a person is not how many serve them but how many they serve. Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to love others.
During Queen Victoria's time, as a young woman she had dinner with William Gladstone, one of the most brilliant statesmen of the 19th century. The following evening, she dined with Benjamin Disraeli, a novelist, statesman, and twice Prime Minister of Great Britain.
When asked about her impressions, she replied, "After an evening with Gladstone, I thought he was the most brilliant man I had ever met. But after an evening with Disraeli, I thought myself to be the most fascinating of woman." Are we here to serve others, making them feel valued, or are we focused on how important we are and expecting to be served?
As Jesus continued washing the disciples' feet, He came to Simon Peter. and Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, are You washing my feet?'"
Peter, recognizing Jesus as Lord, was shocked at the idea of the Master serving him. He objected, saying, "You shall never wash my feet", but Jesus responded, "If I do not wash you, you can have no part with Me." Peter then eagerly replied, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"
Jesus explained, " Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” " This referred to Judas, as indicated in verse 11: "For He knew who would betray Him; this is why He said, 'You are not all clean.'"
This passage, though complex, begins by illustrating Jesus’ ultimate act of service—taking the position of a slave. However, Peter’s objection shifts the discussion to the concept of cleansing. Jesus clarifies that once cleansed, only the feet need washing, symbolizing ongoing purification in the Christian Walk, dealing with the everyday uncleanliness that we pick up on the journey of life.
So in this foot-washing incident, Jesus teaches two lessons: the ultimate expression of love through humble service and the importance of spiritual cleansing.
Jesus is teaching that the ultimate in love is not just service but also cleansing, symbolizing forgiveness. The washing of the disciples' feet is a powerful image of forgiving and cleansing. Jesus indicates that, though they have been cleansed entirely, their feet—representing their daily sins—still need washing.
Similarly, when we trust in Him, we are forgiven of all sins, yet we need continual cleansing from our daily missteps.
First John 1:9 tells us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Jesus teaches that we are to forgive others as He forgives us. Paul echoes this in Colossians 3:13: "Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
You see real forgiveness is a lifestyle, an automatic ongoing response of a heart filled with love. Without this type of love, bitterness and grudges take root, destroying us from within.
This narrative is a powerful reminder of the need for forgiveness in our relationships. The ultimate in love is forgiving and serving others, even when they don't meet our expectations. This principle is vital in marriages, churches, and all human interactions.
From verse 12 onwards, Jesus will then explains His actions:
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
(John 13: 12-18)
Jesus now emphasizes that His followers should emulate His humility and service.
Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet teaches us that the ultimate love is both serving and forgiving others. As Jesus said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" A call to embrace a lifestyle of service and forgiveness, following the example of our Lord.
Conclusion
There isan amazing lesson here in how to Be Miserable and How to Be Happy in life.
If you want to be miserable, just don't forgive anybody. Let bitterness and anger take root in your heart, and don't do anything for other people.
Someone once said, and I quote,
"This is a surefire way to be unhappy in life is easy: When talking, use 'I' as often as possible. Constantly see yourself as the center of attention. Listen eagerly to what people say about you, and always expect to be appreciated. Be continually on the lookout for a good time and shirk your duties whenever you can. Do as little as possible for others and focus on yourself supremely." This recipe is guaranteed to make you 100% miserable”.
But the other side of this coin means that if you start living a life of love, forgiveness and service, you might lose your miserable state. Some people can't handle that much change in their lives they have got comfortable being miserable and don't want to change. That's why they're stuck.
Dr. Myers a famous American psychologist said, "If you want to cope in life, you need to learn to forgive." Those who refuse to forgive and serve others often crack under pressure.
So, if you want to cope under pressure instead of cracking under pressure, forgive and serve. If you do this, you will find happiness.
Jesus' Example of Love and Forgiveness
Jesus then says in the final verses of this passage.
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
(John 13: 19-20)
Jesus knew that one of His disciples would betray Him, yet He still washed Judas’ feet, demonstrating the ultimate act of love. He washed the feet of Peter, who would deny Him, and Thomas, who would doubt Him. He washed the feet of all the disciples, knowing they would abandon Him. This then is the essence of love: serving and forgiving others, regardless of their actions toward you.
Hollywood often dilutes our concept of love, portraying it as mere affection. True love, however, is about acting in the best interest of others, no matter how they treat you. It's about forgiving and serving, even when others reject or betray you.
Think about how you want to be remembered. In and old English graveyard many years ago it was reported that there was a tombstone whichread
"Here lies a miser who lived for himself. He cared for nothing but gathering wealth. Now where he is or how he fares, nobody knows and nobody cares."
In contrast, another tombstone in St Paul Cathedral reads,
"Sacred to the memory of General Charles George Gordon, who at all times and everywhere gave his strength to the weak, his substance to the poor, his sympathy to the suffering, and his heart to God."
When you die, which type of tombstone will mark your grave? Will you be remembered for a life of self-centeredness or for a life of love, service, and forgiveness?
The choice is yours. Follow Jesus' example and live a life that reflects His ultimate love.
Then it can be much more than just a great epitaph, it can be a life well lived today and every day.
