The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum John 13

The adult bible class at my church is studying the book of John on Sunday nights.This past week we were in John 13.Numerous times before Jesus had told His disciples that His "hour" was coming.For the first time in John 13:1 John tells us that Jesus knows that His "hour" was at hand.
You have to go all the way to verse 27 to find where Satan actually enters into Judas but at verse 2 we are told that the devil had put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus.
In verses 4 and 5 we find Jesus taking on the role of a Gentile slave and washing the feet of the disciples.It appears that only presumptious Peter objects but then agrees when the Lord Jesus explains the necessity of what He is doing.Everything that happened in that room is not spelled out for us by John so we must assume that Jesus,already knowing what was in Judas' heart,washed his feet along with the rest.
There are so many lessons in this passage of scripture it is hard to name them all.Just a few would be humility, forgiveness and setting the right example for others.The "Word" does indeed cut like a knife and is profitable for each of us.
Maybe someone else has a view to share on John 13,if so I would be happy to hear it.

Actually, foot washing was practiced among the Jews for centuries prior to the coming of Christ. I'd be curious where the "Gentile slave" idea came from.

You are certainly correct to list some of the common lessons to be gathered from this text, e.g., humility, etc. But I think there is a far more important lesson taught there and it transcends how we should conform ourselves. What I read in this passage is about Christ and His humiliation, i.e., a pre-crucifixion expression of His love and servanthood on behalf of all those who He came to die (Matt 20:28; Mk 10:45; Lk 22:27; Phil 2:5-8). Secondly, we are given a glimpse of that most necessary "washing" which Christ Himself does for us; not we ourselves nor with our aid; that washing away of sins in His shed blood.

And I really appreciate what a man named, Temple writes on this passage: "We rather shrink from this revelation. We are ready, perhaps, to be humble before God; but we do not want Him to be humble in His dealings with us. We should like Him, who has the right, to glory in His goodness and greatness; then we, as we pass from His presence, may be entitled to pride ourselves on such achievements as distinguish us above other men... man's humility does not begin with the giving of service; it begins with the readiness to receive it. For there can be much pride and condescension in our giving of service."

Pilgrim,
Thanks for expounding on the "washing" that Christ does for us.It certainly puts works salvation to death.There is no room left for one to take any credit for aiding Him in the salvation process.
I cite three sources as to the mention of a Gentile slave.
1-R.C. Sproul in his book on John,page 240;....when a rabbi had disciples they typically acted as his servants.However they were never required to wash the rabbi's feet; that task was reserved for slaves.But even some slaves were spared this task.Within Israel,if a Jewish person had a Jewish slave,the slave owner was not permitted to require that slave to wash his feet.Only a Gentile slave could be required to perform such a task.
2-Bible Gateway .com John Commentaries; Having taken off His outer garment,Jesus was left with His tunic,a shorter garment like a long undershirt.Slaves would be so dressed to serve a meal(cf.Lk. 12:37,17:8).Jesus tied a linen cloth around His waist to dry their feet.A Jewish text says this is something a Gentile slave could be required to do,but not a Jewish slave.(Mekilta on Ex.21:2 citing Lev.25:39,46.)
3- Matthew Henry;...... The action itself was mean and servile and that which servants of the lowest rank were required to do.(Gentiles)