Common Questions
Is Christ in me?
Will I live forever?
How do I grow?
Are feelings valid?
  Lessons to Live by:
The Relationship
Love & Forgiveness
Power to Live
Growing with Jesus
  Gospel of John:
Index
 
previous next
 
Chapter 13 - Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
 
1Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He now showed the disciples the full extent of his love.* 2It was time for supper, and the Devil had already enticed Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him.

6When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, why are you going to wash my feet?"

7Jesus replied, "You don't understand now why I am doing it; someday you will."

8"No," Peter protested, "you will never wash my feet!"

Jesus replied, "But if I don't wash you, you won't belong to me."

9Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"

10Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet,* to be entirely clean. And you are clean, but that isn't true of everyone here." 11For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, "Not all of you are clean."

12After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? 13You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because it is true. 14And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. 15I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. 17You know these things—now do them! That is
the path of blessing.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

18"I am not saying these things to all of you; I know so well each one of you I chose. The Scriptures declare, 'The one who shares my food has turned against me,'* and this will soon come true. 19I tell you this now, so that when it happens you will believe I am the Messiah. 20Truly, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me."

21Now Jesus was in great anguish of spirit, and he exclaimed, "The truth is, one of you will betray me!"

22The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23One of Jesus' disciples, the one Jesus loved, was sitting next to Jesus at the table.* 24Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who would do this terrible thing. 25Leaning toward Jesus, he asked, "Lord, who is it?"

26Jesus said, "It is the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the sauce." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27As soon as Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, "Hurry. Do it now." 28None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30So Judas left at once, going out into the night.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

31As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, "The time has come for me, the Son of Man, to enter into my glory, and God will receive glory because of all that happens to me. 32And God will bring* me into my glory very soon. 33Dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you! Then, though you search for me, you cannot come to me—just as I told the Jewish leaders. 34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

36Simon Peter said, "Lord, where are you going?"

And Jesus replied, "You can't go with me now, but you will follow me later."

37"But why can't I come now, Lord?" he asked. "I am ready to die for you."

38Jesus answered, "Die for me? No, before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
   
previous next


Next Steps:
Experience the Power to change for yourself!
Decide. Was Jesus a liar? A lunatic? God?
Check out the Q&A
Get further help
 
Related Links


 

 
  Reader Feedback:

"I've looked at your web-site a hundred times!! I like it so much that I can't get away from it. I learned new things that I never knew before. I told my friends at school about it and they really liked it too." -Vanessa

  Want Prayer?

We believe prayer makes a big difference. Is there something you would like us to pray about? Click here to request prayer

 
  Real Life Stories :
   
Paul Henderson
The Goal of My Life
   
Stacy Carto
Are You Happy With Your Body?
   
Catriona LeMay Doan
Letting Go For Good
   
Kelita Haverland
I Found Out by Accident

  Contact us  |  About us  |  Link to us  |  Send to a friend  |  Spiritual resources
Want prayer?
 
 
© 2001 Power to Change. All rights reserved.  Privacy Policy