The Bible App is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases. Get the app
Summit Church
Hear The Claims Pt 4 | The King and the Towel | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
STUDY SKILL
Watch for two things:
1. Watch for insights into the heart and mind of the main players.
2. Watch for action-as-teaching — when a writer shows you the teaching before he records the words.
Watch for two things:
1. Watch for insights into the heart and mind of the main players.
2. Watch for action-as-teaching — when a writer shows you the teaching before he records the words.
The Big Idea: When you know what Jesus knows, footwashing is a breeze.
Jesus Teaches Us The Technology of Love
1. Love is Fueled by Knowing Things (vv. 1-5)
-Know what time it is (to leave the world and go to the Father)
-Know that betrayal is not a surprise
-Know the power the Father has given you
-Know where you came from
-Know where you are going
1. Love is Fueled by Knowing Things (vv. 1-5)
-Know what time it is (to leave the world and go to the Father)
-Know that betrayal is not a surprise
-Know the power the Father has given you
-Know where you came from
-Know where you are going
Word study:
-"To the end" is eis telos. It can mean "to the very last moment" and also "to the fullest." Scholars like D.A. Carson say both fit. It shares a root with Jesus' cry on the cross, tetelestai, "It is finished" (19:30).
-There is a difference between loving people and loving them to the end!
-"Took off" is tithēmi. It is the same word Jesus uses in John 10 for laying down His life (10:11, 15, 17-18). Several scholars, including Andreas Köstenberger, see the towel scene as a picture of the cross.
-The towel was the clothing of a servant. Commentators like Leon Morris and Craig Keener note that foot washing was a job for the lowest slave. Some Jewish sources say even Jewish slaves were not made to do it.
-"To the end" is eis telos. It can mean "to the very last moment" and also "to the fullest." Scholars like D.A. Carson say both fit. It shares a root with Jesus' cry on the cross, tetelestai, "It is finished" (19:30).
-There is a difference between loving people and loving them to the end!
-"Took off" is tithēmi. It is the same word Jesus uses in John 10 for laying down His life (10:11, 15, 17-18). Several scholars, including Andreas Köstenberger, see the towel scene as a picture of the cross.
-The towel was the clothing of a servant. Commentators like Leon Morris and Craig Keener note that foot washing was a job for the lowest slave. Some Jewish sources say even Jewish slaves were not made to do it.
2. Love serves the Clean and the Unclean (vv. 6-11)
"Never" is strong: ou mē eis ton aiōna, "not ever, not for all time." Peter says "no" and "Lord" in the same breath.
"Part" is meros, a share or an inheritance. Being close to Jesus is a gift He gives. We can't earn it.
What scholars say: There are two main ways to read "bath" and "feet." They are Both/And
View 1: The bath is a one-time salvation. The feet are the daily dust of sin we keep bringing to Him (1 John 1:9).
View 2: The whole scene points to the cross. Jesus' death is what cleanses us.
"Part" is meros, a share or an inheritance. Being close to Jesus is a gift He gives. We can't earn it.
What scholars say: There are two main ways to read "bath" and "feet." They are Both/And
View 1: The bath is a one-time salvation. The feet are the daily dust of sin we keep bringing to Him (1 John 1:9).
View 2: The whole scene points to the cross. Jesus' death is what cleanses us.
3. This Pattern of Love is the Pathway to Blessing (vv. 12-17)
Word study:
-"Should" (v. 14) is opheilō. It means "you owe." We have received so much that we owe it forward.
-"Example" (v. 15) is hypodeigma. It means a pattern to copy.
-"Blessed" (v. 17) is makarios. It means truly happy and favored by God.
-"Should" (v. 14) is opheilō. It means "you owe." We have received so much that we owe it forward.
-"Example" (v. 15) is hypodeigma. It means a pattern to copy.
-"Blessed" (v. 17) is makarios. It means truly happy and favored by God.
Response:
* Let Jesus wash your whole self and your feet.
* Stop Measuring Worth Before Loving Others
* Demonstrate the Pattern of Love in Your Oikos
* Let Jesus wash your whole self and your feet.
* Stop Measuring Worth Before Loving Others
* Demonstrate the Pattern of Love in Your Oikos
Discussion Notes
Week 12: The King and the Towel
Big Idea: When you know what Jesus knows, footwashing is a breeze.
Icebreaker
What's the worst chore you ever had to do, at home or at a job? What was your attitude while you did it?
Read Together: John 13:1–17
1. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him and the others would run away. He still washed their feet. Why do you think He did that? Could you do that? Why or why not?
2. Verse 3 says Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going. Then verse 4 says, "so He got up." How does knowing who you are make it easier to serve?
3. The disciples had just been arguing about who was the greatest (Luke 22:24). What does Jesus' towel teach us about what "great" really means?
4. Jesus knows your worst moments, and He still kneels to serve you. How does that make you feel? Can you let Jesus serve you?
5. Peter said, "You shall never wash my feet!" Why do you think he pushed back? Why is it sometimes harder to let someone help us than it is to help them?
6. Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." What does it mean to let Jesus wash you? What does His washing produce in us?
7. Jesus washed Judas's feet too. Who is a "Judas" in your life, someone hard to love? What would it look like to serve them anyway?
8. The word "should" in verse 14 means "you owe." Jesus has given us so much. What do you think we owe forward to other people?
9. Verse 17 says we are blessed if we do these things, not just know them. Where are you currently stuck, knowing the right thing but not doing it?
10. Think about your oikos, the people you see every week (family, friends, coworkers, neighbors). What is one quiet act of service you can do for one of them this week, where nobody sees it?
Big Idea: When you know what Jesus knows, footwashing is a breeze.
Icebreaker
What's the worst chore you ever had to do, at home or at a job? What was your attitude while you did it?
Read Together: John 13:1–17
1. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him and the others would run away. He still washed their feet. Why do you think He did that? Could you do that? Why or why not?
2. Verse 3 says Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going. Then verse 4 says, "so He got up." How does knowing who you are make it easier to serve?
3. The disciples had just been arguing about who was the greatest (Luke 22:24). What does Jesus' towel teach us about what "great" really means?
4. Jesus knows your worst moments, and He still kneels to serve you. How does that make you feel? Can you let Jesus serve you?
5. Peter said, "You shall never wash my feet!" Why do you think he pushed back? Why is it sometimes harder to let someone help us than it is to help them?
6. Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." What does it mean to let Jesus wash you? What does His washing produce in us?
7. Jesus washed Judas's feet too. Who is a "Judas" in your life, someone hard to love? What would it look like to serve them anyway?
8. The word "should" in verse 14 means "you owe." Jesus has given us so much. What do you think we owe forward to other people?
9. Verse 17 says we are blessed if we do these things, not just know them. Where are you currently stuck, knowing the right thing but not doing it?
10. Think about your oikos, the people you see every week (family, friends, coworkers, neighbors). What is one quiet act of service you can do for one of them this week, where nobody sees it?