Sermon: Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet (John 13:1-17) by Peter Wijaya

My beloved in Christ. After we have read this text in John 13:1-16, may be we think about one theme that is “The Leader who has humble heart” or humble servant. As like Jesus said “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:16-17). That right point in this text. In this session, I want to talk us about process that Jesus does in the evening meal with His disciples. What Jesus does in John 13:4-5? Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped around him. After that, we know there is long conversation between Jesus and Peter. Peter said to Him, “Lord are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said, “No, you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus explained,  A person who has  a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, thought every one of you.” Jesus said it because He knew who was going to betray him.

Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, I want you understand other something from this text. This text tells about washing His disciples feet. What is meaning to us? And we will understand about the history of Jewish culture. In Old Testament, bible said in Number 19 about The water of cleansing. Number 19 tells us about how procedure of the water of cleansing was made at Moses’s situation. This story have connected to Jesus who cleans disciples feet with water. This moment, water have function is cleansing feet. In Jewish house have available water for cleansing our feet before entering into house. The water of cleansing was made from ash of the heifer (young female cow) and water. I mention as Holy water because this commandant of God to Moses and Aaron. Eliazer the priest bring a red heifer without defect or blemish  and that has never been under a yoke. Eliazer take it outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence (Number 19:3). Finally, we know what priest did in the past is a view of sacrifice of Jesus. Let us see at  Hebrews 13:11-12, “The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp (see: Number 19:3). And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make people holy through His own blood.” Who was be a redeemer of sins? Only Jesus off course.  Jesus died at the cross for us.

Let us see again John 13, what is meaning about Jesus does in washing disciples feet? Jesus said what happened about himself in the future that is his sacrifice for all sins. Jesus said to Peter about your whole body is clean if you had a bath needs.   Jesus died for all sins (all body). All sins were washed by blood of Jesus at the cross. But our feet that used to walk in the world can be stained by sins. So Jesus as a master of disciples takes water to wash disciples feet. Jesus with humble attitude does God’s will to wash our sins and give water and drying our feet with towel that was wrapped around him. What’s meaning? Jesus give us water(Word of God and Holy Spirit) that comes from Himself (His righteousness). Paul said in Ephesians 6:14,.. with the belt of truth buckled around your waist (see John 13:4). Jesus said to Nicodemus, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God  unless he is of water and The Spirit. This meaning day by day we must encounter with Word of God and Holy Person, Holy Spirit. We have relationship with God. We come before God with humble and only need Him in our life.  

For example in the past we are sinful people, but now Jesus have been died at the cross for us. May be we fall again but our state in New in Christ and right man. From a sinful man to right man by faith in Christ. It not by might and strength but Holy Spirit and power of God’s word. Now would you give yourself before God and serve people with humble. We serve world with Word of God and power of Holy Spirit. Amen

Let us pray.

Thanks for Your Word to us. Let us Your revelation and understanding to know You through righteousness of Your Word. A man stand in pulpit has limited to explained Your Word but Holy Spirit unlimited to work in our heart and our life. You will work to everyone in this chapel and changes us with Your Faith, Hope And Love. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen