KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE
[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]
Lesson Five
AT THE COENACULUM, name of traditional place of the Last Supper.
Text: (NIV) Matthew 26:17-35 (Mark 14:12-31; Luke 22:7-38; John 13 & 14)
Events Relating to the Coenaculum (Cont’d):
Institution of Washing of Feet – John 13:1-17. Part Three:
John 13:9-17 – 9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me `Teacher’ and `Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
When he had finished washing their feet (v.12) – It is to be noted that it was six days before this that Jesus’ feet had been lavishly washed. John 12:1-3, 7 (AMP) – SO SIX days before the Passover Feast, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had died and whom He had raised from the dead.
2 So they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those at the table with Him.
3 Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
7 But Jesus said, Let her alone. It was [intended] that she should keep it for the time of My preparation for burial. [She has kept it that she might have it for the time of My embalming.]
Note also that the above was the second time that Jesus’ feet were washed in that manner, as recorded in the New Testament. See Luke 7:36-39, 44-48 (AMP).
Note Genesis 18:1-5, 8 (AMP) – NOW THE Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks or terebinths of Mamre; as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day,
2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood at a little distance from him. He ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the ground
3 And said, My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant, I beg of you.
4 Let a little water be brought, and you may wash your feet and recline and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 And I will bring a morsel (mouthful) of bread to refresh and sustain your hearts before you go on further–for that is why you have come to your servant. And they replied, Do as you have said.
8 And he took curds and milk and the calf which he had made ready, and set it before [the men]; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
It is concluded that Jesus had participated in the feet-washing mentioned in v.4, as He was one of the “three men” mentioned in v.2, and that this was one of His pre-incarnation appearances. (Note v.1, “the Lord,” and v.9-10, And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, [She is here] in the tent. 10 [The Lord] said, I will surely return to you when the season comes round, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah was listening and heard it at the tent door which was behind Him.)
OTHER MENTION OF FEET-WASHING: See Genesis 19:1-3; 24:32; 43:24; Exodus 30:17-21;
1 Samuel 25:40-41; 2 Samuel 11:8; Song of Solomon 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:9-10.
Note: It is inferred that, whereas in the ordinary sense feet-washing was a necessity because they wore sandals and the soil was dry and dusty, what was done by Jesus at the Last Supper was symbolic and therefore relevant to us.
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ (John 13:13) – Note:
Matthew 7:21-23 – 21“Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Luke 6:46-48 – 46“Why do you call me, `Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Let us ask the God of Love to help us to “hear.”