Dirty Feet, Betrayal And Denial

Greetings to all, on this "grateful" Maundy Thursday, let us remain forever grateful for all of Jesus's love and sacrifice for us. Amen

I can't imagine doing what Jesus did for his disciples just days before his death. Scripture says that He was fully aware of all the events and knew He was returning to the Father, yet he still loved His disciples and us with unlimited love until the end.

John 13:1-17 (NIV)

1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, 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, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his 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.

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 I tell you the truth, 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.

Lesson: To fully understand the dirty feet, betrayal, and denial, please read the entire chapter. John lays out the events Jesus experienced that day.

We see the example of true love for each of us to follow if we are going to not only bring unbelievers in but help keep and strengthen each other for God's kingdom.

All of us are dirty with sin and are like filthy rags requiring cleaning. We can also betray and deny Christ by our actions (Ref. Isaiah 64:6).

To be His follower, Jesus set an example preparing His disciples and us for the mission of being humble servants loving others based on His sacrificial love for us.