Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-04-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL 80.
Subject: Jesus Washing the Disciples
Feet, John kill, 1.14 Golden Text,
Gal. W, 13-Memory Verses, IL, 49,
Comm entarv On tho nny,a essnu

Feet, John KILL, 1-14 Golden Text,
Gal. W, 13-Memory Verses, IL, 49,
Commentary on the Days Lesson.
l. At the supper table Tvs. 1-3). I.
"The Passover" This was one of the
three great Jewish feasts and was also
called the feast of "uneavened bread"
because only unleavened bread was
allowed. "Hour was come" His ap-
preaching agony and death. There
was no uncertainty with Him. SO
perfectly did He work with the Father
that He knew when He had come to
the close Of His earthly labors. "De-
part unto the Father His entire
passion and ascension are included in
this departure, as taking place in this
one hour. His own" His disciples.
(which were in the world" Who were
to continue longer in its troubles and
difficulties. Loved them unto the
end" l. To the uttermost limit of
love (margin of r. W. 2. With love
without end.
2. Supper being ended" Rather,
the meal having begun--that is, they
had already reclined. 1t appears from
Luke's account that as they took their
reclining couches at the table, a strife
arose for precedency; and by this is
explained the washing of the apostles
feet by Jesus-a reproOf and lesson
on humility and peace. Devil having
now put" Judas formed his plot six
days before this, on the occasion of
what happened at the house of Simon,
the leper; see Matt. 2G:14. 3. Jesus
knowing" This verse is sublime. An
unclouded perception of His relation to
the Father, the commission He held
from Him. and His approaching return
to Him. possessed His soul BY His
incarnation Jesus came from God; by
His death and resurrection He went
to God. Christ came from heaven to
bring God to us He went to heaven
to bring us to God.
II. Jesus washes the disciples feet
Tvs. 4, 81.
4. "Riseth from supper" Soon af
ter they had taken their places at the
table. The washing should have taken
place before the supper. Laid aside
His garments" His outer mantle, a
cloak which would impede His action,
leaving the tunic, which was the or
dinary dress Of Il servant. "Girded
Himself" The girdlc represents a
readiness for service. The towel was
to complete the full dress of a servant
or slave. a bold contract between tho
Master, who was about to enter into
glory, and the aspiring disciples, who
were too lofty to wash each others
feet, and were anxious about their
stations in life. 5. Began to wash
We have very erroneous idea OF the
meaning of this action if we imagine
that it was performed for a mere eX-
ample Of humility, OF even as an Illus
tration. 1t was simply a humble,
menial service that ought to have been
done by the disciples, but which they
refused or neglected to do. Then He
arose and performed the menial SER
vice Himself. No wonder that the
conscience smitten disciples were
amazed, and that Peter felt that Jesus
must not wash his feet.
III. A conversation with Peter Tvs.
GID. 6. Then cometh he When
it was Peters turn to be washed.
Lord, doSt Thou DoSt Thou, the Son
of God. the Messiah, perform this hum
bic office of a servant toward me?
Peter had often seen the humility OF
his Lord, but never as in this instance.
and he recoiled with an unutterable
sense of shame and astonishment. The
other disciples seem to have allowed
Jesus to wash their feet in silence.
Z. "Knowest not now" You do not
sec that it is visible expression Of
My whole mission, in which l laid
aside My glory with the Father and
took upon Myself the form of a SER
want "Shalt know hereafter A
little better understanding was gained
in the Masters words in verses 13 and
H. still clearer understanding after
the crucitixion; better still after Pen
tecost; a full knowledge of all that
Jesus did for His own was to be gained
in eternity.
s. SHALT never Not to all eter-
nifty shalt Thou wash my feet. Wash
Thee not" With the higher washing
of which this is only type. If thou
wilt not submit to this thou wilt object
to that. mo part with Me-" Because,
]. The first condition of discipleship
was submission to Christ. =. This
washing was a symbol of spiritual
cleansing, and so Peter understood
Christ's words ". 81. g. "Not my feet
only" He goes from one extreme to
the other. 10. HE that is washed"
Bathed; for it was the custom of the
Jews to battle twice. in preparing
themselves for the paschaT solemnity.
aye are clean" You are upright and
sincere. Jesus did not mean that their
hearts We're cleansed from all sin, for
that did not take place till Pentecost.
"But not ALL" This was a rebuke
which only Judas could understand.
". Christ teaches humility Tvs. II.
14). u. know ye what l have
done" Consider what l have done
the meaning and significance of it.
That He intended His disciples to get
the spiritual meaning of this act is
seen from what follows. 13. Master
and Lord" One who has authority,
whose example should be followed
and whose commands obeyed. H.
"If I then" The Master lost no dig
nifty, authority or power by His con.
descending love. He was truly great,
in that He stopped to necessary hum
BILE work when others refused to do it.
"Ye also ought" The servant is not
greater than his master, and you will
do well to initiate Me. IL this lesson
has entered your understanding, c. ase
all strife for position, and only surpass
in service to each other.