Jesus’s Love For Us | John 13:1-17
Sermon Summary
On the night before His death, Jesus girded Himself like a slave and washed His disciples feet. This act revealed the everlasting love He has for His own, including us.
Peter initially resists, but Jesus explains that unless He washes him, Peter has no part with Him. Jesus not only shows His ability to cleanse, but His desire for fellowship with those who are His.
One Big Idea
Jesus loves His own with an everlasting love, and desires us to have fellowship with Him; when we come to Him, He washes us completely.
Key Scriptures:
John 13:3-5 (NASB): Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NASB): Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
Luke 22:25-26 (NASB): And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’ But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
1 Corinthians 6:11 (NASB): Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
Truths to focus on this week:
Jesus’s words of love: Jesus’s love for His own is perfect, without beginning and without end. Because Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going, He was free to serve them.
Judas’s hard heart: Though Judas would betray Him that night, Jesus still washed his feet. Judas’s inability to receive the love of God, his greed, ambition, and false expectations of God opened him to the devil’s influence.
Jesus’ demonstration of His love for us: Jesus not only started His life sinless, but ended perfectly. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet showed His humility and love for them despite Him knowing their past, present, and future failures.
Discussion Questions
Jesus’ love for us has no beginning or end, nor need for us to earn it. Why is it so hard to accept that at times? Do you measure His love by your consistency, discipline, or obedience?
In what areas of your life do you find it easy to be satisfied apart from Jesus’ presence, and what keeps you distant from deeper intimacy with Him?
Jesus desires fellowship with us, but will not force us Himself on us. When we call out to Him, He will draw near to us. What would it look like this week to respond to Jesus’ invitation of fellowship and want Him more?