THE GREATEST TEACHER

Passage: John 13:12-30

Key verse: 15

NIV

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’(A) and ‘Lord,’(B) 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.(C) 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(D) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,(E) 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.(F)

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

18 “I am not referring to all of you;(G) I know those I have chosen.(H) But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture:(I) ‘He who shared my bread(J) has turned[a](K) against me.’[b](L)

19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe(M) that I am who I am.(N) 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”(O)

21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit(P) and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”(Q)

22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved,(R) was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”(S)

26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas,(T) the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.(U)

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money,(V) some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival,(W) or to give something to the poor.(X) 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.(Y)

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Footnotes
  1. John 13:18 Greek has lifted up his heel
  2. John 13:18 Psalm 41:9
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 When he had washed their feet and (A)put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, (B)“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 (C)You call me (D)Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, (E)you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, (F)that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, (G)a servant[a] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, (H)blessed are you if you do them. 18 (I)I am not speaking of all of you; I know (J)whom I have chosen. But (K)the Scripture will be fulfilled,[b] (L)‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 (M)I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, (N)whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

One of You Will Betray Me

21 After saying these things, (O)Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, (P)“Truly, truly, I say to you, (Q)one of you will betray me.” 22 (R)The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 (S)One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table (T)at Jesus' side,[c] 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus[d] of whom he was speaking. 25 (U)So that disciple, (V)leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, (W)“It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread (X)when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, (Y)he gave it to Judas, (Z)the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, (AA)Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, (AB)“What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, (AC)because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need (AD)for the feast,” or that he should (AE)give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. (AF)And it was night.

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Footnotes
  1. John 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
  2. John 13:18 Greek But in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled
  3. John 13:23 Greek in the bosom of Jesus
  4. John 13:24 Greek lacks Jesus
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Jesus puts our views of greatness on its head. John’s gospel is the only record of Jesus’ washing his disciples’ feet. We know about Jesus being born in a manger, his suffering, and death, but somehow washing feet still amazes us of Jesus’ humility. He did this because he loved his disciples, but he also did this to set an example for his disciples to follow.

Jesus washed his disciples’ feet at a time when he was most under stress. He knew that the religious leaders were plotting to kill him. He knew that one of his own was going to betray him. He also knew he was going to suffer and die. Jesus was by no means immune to the troubles of the world. Jesus fully embraced our fallen humanity and did not give up hope. Jesus still embraced the love of God to deeply serve those under his care, washing his disciples’ feet and sharing the Passover feast with them. The best teacher is the one who practices what they preach.

Prayer: Lord, help me to follow your example, to not give up in serving others, to not stop loving, even when all seems dark.

One Word: Wash one another’s feet