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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
July 3,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (8 of 12)
Focus Text: John 13.3-9
Our understanding of Jesus simply cannot be complete without an intimate knowledge of His last few hours upon the earth. Perhaps no portion of Sacred Scripture gives more insight into the person of Jesus than His final discourses just prior to His crucifixion. When one reads the events and discussions that took place on the night of the Last Supper a great vista of understanding opens up that otherwise might remain obscured. The final five installments of this miniseries will focus on Jesus’ words and deeds as they occurred on that fateful and awesome night.
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.’” (John 13.3-9). Re-read the words, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God and was going to God...”
“Knowing” in this text is in the perfect tense, i.e. His knowledge of these facts was accomplished; it was complete and needed no further action to make it absolutely final. Jesus knew (in the perfect tense) three things: 1) The Father had given all things into His hands, 2) He had come from God, and 3) He was going to God. What this really affirms is that Jesus had absolute knowledge and cognizance of His Deity! He had all authority (all things were given into His hands), He came from God (see John 1.1), and He was returning to God (referring to His post-ministry exalted position at the right hand of the Father). Jesus fully, totally, and once-and-for-all knew who He was; He was not confused, deranged, deluded, or in any way misguided; He was Deity!
It was with this state of mind that He “…laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.” Immediately after that, “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” As we read this text it is important that we connect His state of mind with what He was doing. He was Deity, fully God! And yet, in this moment of greatest trial, He paused to serve others! Occupying the flesh, His needs were great, but none were greater than His need to teach His disciples an essential lesson. More than three years had passed, and they still had not “gotten it.”
More will follow, but just observe that of all the things that could have occupied Jesus’ mind at this time, the greatest need He saw was the need to teach! Here we see a vital part of the heart of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God had but one Son, and yes, He was a Preacher!
Questions:
1. What does it mean that the “Father had given all things into His hands”?
2. Had He come “from God”? If so, in what sense? How had He been with God?
3. How and when was He going back to God?
4. Considering the agony that was only hours away, what things might have been occupying Jesus’ thoughts? What do His actions show about His resolve to complete His work as Savior of the world regardless of how the world treated Him?
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