You Are Clean

Pastor Fred Calkins

Midland SDA Church

April 3, 2021

v.1&3 – Jesus Knew! 

          1. Who He was – the Passover Lamb

                   The God/Man; Saviour of humanity. 

                   He had discovered this when 12 years of age. 

          2. What Time it was – time for Sacrifice

          3. That His Disciples were still selfish

                   unready for the crisis ahead. 

          4. That Judas would betray Him. 

Jesus took the humblest responsibility. 

          The washing of feet was a servant task. 

Any of the disciples could/should have done this. 

Yes, The feet really needed to be washed:

1. it was the custom so to refresh; see Genesis 18:4

2. only the feet were still dirty since

they had been to the baths in preparation. 

3. there was/is symbolism

– physical & spiritual cleansing. 

Jesus lost no dignity in thus serving. 

His humbling of Himself to become human prefigures

and this was little account compared to the cross!   

Neither do we lose dignity when we serve. 

The disciples each, individually,

felt the rebuke. 

Any one of them would have been

honored to have served Jesus.   

They had refused

because they did not want to serve one another. 

Serving would imply lowering

himself below the one they served. 

Their continued striving for place,

blocked their reception of help

1. to be like Jesus

2. or for the next day’s crisis. 

In the jostling for position,      

Judas had secured the place

at Jesus Right Side,

this was accounted the highest place. 

John was at Jesus left

still close. 

The rest of the disciples were

arranged around the table.

Likely it was a rectangular table. 

They reclined on their left side

with their feet out behind. 

We have no record of

who was across from Jesus

proximity to Him was apparently fought for. 

No servant was present. 

Someone needed to perform this rite. 

          Essential especially for such a formal meal. 

Jesus waited till each disciple had chosen not to serve. 

Jesus laid aside his outer garment.

Thus He was dressed much as a servant. 

He washed Judas first

– granting the honor he had sought. 

          Judas would have been profoundly moved! 

          He believed Jesus to be extra special.

          I believe he was trying to

push Jesus to advance Himself. 

          I believe this was a final appeal to Judas for his heart. 

Judas accepted the outer cleansing

but refused the inner cleansing. 

What a lesson this is for us. . . .

                   Jesus accepts only yielded hearts. 

John then would have been last. 

He did not see this as a slight. 

He learned from Peter’s reaction.

There was something special in this experience. 

Peter, the outspoken, provides insight:

Just as the feet had become soiled

in traveling from the baths,

even so our hearts have become

contaminated by sin after we were baptized. 

Christ cleanses us from sin

as easily as water cleanses us from soil.

May we be prompt to accept such cleansing. 

v.12 – 17: – Jesus explains this service.

He also invites us to participate in it regularly. 

While in Western Culture

being served may be more humbling than serving;

the lessons are still loud and clear.   

1. We are unable to

clean sin out of our lives on our own. 

2. God has made us dependant on Him.

3. He has also made us interdependent. 

4. We must be quick to help one another. 

As we participate in the services –

1. Take opportunity to serve.

a. Look for someone in particular need.

b. Serve especially anyone estranged.

2. Accept the service offered by others.

a. Blessings must both be given and received. 

b. We learn our own need as we are helped. 

. . . .