San Diego First United Methodist Church’s Daily Devotion for Monday, 7 July 2014 – Sunday, 13 July 2014 by Elbert Kim Text to read: John 13:1-17

San Diego First United Methodist Church’s Daily Devotion for Monday, 7 July 2014 – Sunday, 13 July 2014 by Elbert Kim 
Text to read: John 13:1-17 
John 13: Washing His Disciples’ Feet
1-2 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.
3-6 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”
8 Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”
Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”
9 “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”
10-12 Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.
12-17 Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
John 13:1-17 
Verse 2
[2] And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Having now — Probably now first.
Verse 3
[3] Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
Jesus knowing — Though conscious of his own greatness, thus humbled himself.
Verse 4
[4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Layeth aside his garments — That part of them which would have hindered him.
Verse 5
[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.
Into the basin — A large vessel was usually placed for this very purpose, wherever the Jews supped.
Verse 7
[7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter — We do not now know perfectly any of his works, either of creation, providence, or grace. It is enough that we can love and obey now, and that we shall know hereafter.
Verse 8
[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.
If I wash thee not — If thou dost not submit to my will, thou hast no part with me - Thou art not my disciple. In a more general sense it may mean, If I do not wash thee in my blood, and purify thee by my Spirit, thou canst have no communion with me, nor any share in the blessings of my kingdom.
Verse 9
[9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Lord, not my feet only — How fain would man be wiser than God! Yet this was well meant, though ignorant earnestness.
Verse 10
[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.
And so ye, having been already cleansed, need only to wash your feet - That is, to walk holy and undefiled.
Verse 14
[14] If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Ye ought also to wash one another's feet — And why did they not? Why do we not read of any one apostle ever washing the feet of any other? Because they understood the Lord better. They knew he never designed that this should be literally taken. He designed to teach them the great lesson of humble love, as well as to confer inward purity upon them. And hereby he teaches us, 1. In every possible way to assist each other in attaining that purity; 2. To wash each other's feet, by performing all sorts of good offices to each other, even those of the lowest kind, when opportunity serves, and the necessity of any calls for them.
Verse 16
[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.
The servant is not greater than his lord — Nor therefore ought to think much of either doing or suffering the same things.
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Monday, July 7, 2014
Have you ever had your feet washed by someone else?
If so, how did you feel?
What went through your mind at the moment?
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Have you ever washed the feet of someone else?
If so, why did you do it?
If not, what prevents you from doing so?
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Why do you suppose Jesus decided to wash the feet of the disciples?
How do you understand the reaction from the disciples?
Thursday, July 10, 2014
When Peter rejects Jesus’ offer to wash his feet, Jesus responds, “Unless I wash you, you have no share of me?”
What do you suppose Jesus meant by that?
Friday, July 11, 2014
Why does Peter ask that not only his feet but his hands and head also be washed?
What is the significance of the hands and head?
How does Peter understand Jesus’ action?
Saturday, July 12, 2013
Why do the disciples have difficulty understanding Jesus’ teachings?
What prevents us from hearing what God is saying?
Sunday, July 13, 2014
How do you cope with your faith when you do not understand the meaning of the teachings of Jesus and the church?
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First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108
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