John 13 (with my notes interjected in blue)
1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Can you think of a more beautiful thought? Jesus was getting ready to eat the Passover with His disciples on the last night before His crucifixion. He knew that He would be leaving His disciples, His own, His beloved ones He had spent the last three years training to follow in His steps. Jesus loved His own, and He loved them unto the end. If we belong to Jesus, we are also His beloved ones. He loves us, and He will love us unto the end. When we pray for revival, we can pray that we will remember that Jesus loves us, always.
2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
The devil entered into Judas Iscariot, and Judas would betray Jesus that night. Jesus knew this. But He also knew that things were not under the devil’s control. God had put all things into His hand. He was about to lay down His life for His sheep. He said, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10:17,18) He was not worried about the things that were getting ready to happen. God had given these things into Jesus’ control. When we pray for revival, we can pray that God will help us to remember that He has everything under control. All things are in His hand. We do not need to worry.
5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
Jesus showed great kindness and humility. He was not proud. He did not act haughty about having all power at His disposal. And He showed great love, even to His enemies. He knew Judas would betray Him to be crucified. Yet, he poured water into a basin, girded himself with a towel, and began to wash the disciples’ feet with the towel wherewith He was girded. He even washed Judas’ feet, He washed His enemy’s feet. Why? Because He loved Judas. He was going to die for the man who would betray Him. When we pray for revival, we can pray that God will help us to love our enemies.
6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
That very night Peter would deny Jesus. But Jesus still loved him. And Jesus wanted to teach Peter and the other disciples something important. He wanted to teach them to trust Him completely. Peter did not understand why Jesus would wash his feet. This seemed out of place to Peter. Jesus was “Lord;” He should not be serving. But Jesus was doing this to teach His disciples that they could trust Him. He told Peter, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Still Peter did not understand. Now he thought that having his feet washed was not enough. He still thought his own way was better. “Jesus, wash all of me, not just my feet!” But no, Jesus wanted Peter to understand that He knew best. What Jesus did was sufficient. Jesus knew all things. “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.” When we pray for revival, we can pray that we will trust God completely.
11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
These verses show us another lesson Jesus wanted to teach His disciples. Not only should they trust Him completely because He knows all things, they should also follow His example. He, their Master and Lord, had a servant’s heart. They also should have a servant’s heart. He wanted them to understand that having a servant’s heart would make them happy. When we pray for revival, we can pray that God will give us a servant’s heart. That is the way to happiness.
The next verses begin a new subject, so I will close here. Thank you Jesus for your example, and thank you for showing us what it really means to be a Christian. May we always want to follow in your footsteps. Father, help us understand that our Shepherd always knows best. We can trust Him completely. Help us not to lean unto our own understanding. And help us to be humble and have a servant’s heart. In Jesus name, Amen.