John 13
1 Now 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. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
The Doctrine of the Ascension: It involved Jesus departing out of this world unto the Father. He was come from God, and would then go back to God…i.e. the 3rd Heaven, the abode of God the Father.
The Doctrine of Satan: The devil can place thoughts or impulses in the ‘heart’ of people, as he did here with Judas. Just how much access to our hearts does the (a) devil have? Can he retrieve information also? Judas’ “heart” would be the same as his ‘soul’ (will, mind, being).
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After 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. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus 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. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So 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? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The Doctrine of Footwashing: John 13 nowhere states this should be a ritual of worship done in the assemblies of the church. The only passage after this that even mentions feet washing is 1 Timothy 5:10. The context there shows that the act is a personal, individual act done as one has the opportunity. Regarding foot washing, we have no [biblical] instruction to do it as a church function, no instruction to do it in the worship assembly, we are never told what purpose any such act might serve, nor are we told when or how often to do it. Washing of feet lacks every essential element of a church ritual.
Other Old and New Testaments passages regarding washing of feet generally view it as an act of hospitality and service done by individuals to meet people’s needs.
When modern denominations attempt to practice “foot-washing,” that which they do is surely not what the Scriptures describe. “How to Conduct a Foot Washing Service,” by Ken Collins, says: “For the people whose feet are being washed: Instruct them to come to the service with clean feet in clean footgear … Each person removes the footgear from one foot. It doesn’t matter which foot. The foot-washer places the bowl under the person’s bare foot, pours water on the foot, and dries it with the towel.”
In denominations people know ahead of time their feet will be washed, so they make sure they are clean!
Denominations wash only one foot of each person who is washed, because it is only a ritual: people don’t need both feet washed. Jesus said that the disciples should wash one another’s feet, not just that certain designated leaders (priests or Pope) should wash the feet of others. (Gospelway.com)
The teaching here was for the disciples to be a humble servant to others just as Jesus was; He taught this in the common cultural act of footwashing. He also was teaching about being spiritual ‘washed and clean’; of which Judas was not. If Peter didn’t humble himself and obey his Master, he would not be Jesus’ disciple any longer (nor the future Pastor of that church body). There is nothing wrong with a church member washing another church member’s feet. But, they should only do it if it is going to be a blessing to that other member (doubtful) and only do it outside of any formal church service (i.e. after a long walk in the dirt in sandals).
18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
The Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper: It is interesting that at the 1st Supper there was great betrayal going on within the church body (i.e. Judas). Thus, perfect unity is not apparently a requirement for a church to observe it. In fact, just the opposite may be true. Judas was dismissed by the Pastor prior to the Lord’s Supper officially beginning (for the ‘sop’ was still with the Passover meal portion).
The Doctrine of Satan: Satan actually enterred and possessed Judas; this occurred at the Lord’s Table. Satan attempts to cause disunity within a church body; it only takes one willing person.
31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. 4 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. 38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
The Doctrine of Glorification: Jesus was glorified by Judas leaving for now begins the ultimate humbling of our Saviour; this would give Him glory…because of how obediently and humbly He went to the cross. God the Father is glorified through Jesus Christ. God the Father is all about glorifying His dear Son. “To glorify means to cause there to be splendour, brightness, majesty, honour” (Easton’s Dictionary). It means to cause everyone to be drawn to look at and marvel at the thing that is ‘glorified’.
The Doctrine of Love: It is a commandment from God for fellow church members to love one another; and to love each other to the level that Jesus Christ did. When fellow church members show this type of love, it will testify to a lost world that they are Christ’s disciples. This would be a trademark for ‘disciples of Christ’. Our church unity is an evangelistic tool.
The Doctrine of Discipleship: Peter would eventually die a martyrs death and be with Jesus in Heaven. Peter thought that he would do anything for Jesus, but his overconfidence and folly was apparent to Jesus. You can mean it with all your heart that you will follow Jesus no matter what, but, in reality, you are going to deny Him time and time again.