Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-04
Dr.. MARION NH. HULL.

Dr.. MARION NH. HULL.
The thirteenth chapter of John marks
one of the main divisions in the book
Up TO that time Jesus has been mani
Testing Himself as the Son of God to
his own" (chapter I'D, but since
+ they did not receive Him, He now turns
| to manifest Himself to his own" (chap-
ter 1919 The first were the Jews,
the second His disciples. 1t is rather
remarkable what large portion of the
book is given TO this. and how much
detail we have. Six chapters are given
to the events of one night; that is,
almost one-third of the whole book;
for during that night, He unveiled Him
self to His disciples as He had never
done before to anyone They were able
to look into the very innermost recesses
of His heart.
John gives us background for the
events which make them stand out in
holder relief In a few words, with
a few strokes. he paints this back
ground. 1t was the knowledge which
Jesus had as to His origin and His end,
knowledge Of His power and of the
divine hour in His life; and coupled
with this, to make it more noticeable,
was the indescribable love which He
held towards those who had followed
Another feature of the background
was the knowledge which Judas had.
His knowledge however, was false, be-
cause 1t was based on his own fallibTe
opinion. He thought he knew that
Jesus was just a man like himself and
not the Messiah, that His life was a
failure and that he could not attain
the end which He desired, that he
lJudas), had been duped, and there
fore, that he had planned to get out of
the bad situation the best way he could,
even though IT involved the most de-
spicable crime of which a man can
be guilty-treachery!
There is another part of the back
ground which John does not give US.
The other evangelists tell us of a quar-
rel which the disciples had on the way
to the supper.
The Sanhalrim had been CD outdone at Jesus
that they had determined 20 do away with
Him. They were in quahdary. They could
not take Hin during the feast because there
were too :aany people there, and yet they had
to get rid of Him. They were trying to make
up their minds just what procedure to follow
when Judas walked into the and asked
them what would they give him to deliver Him
to them. They were very glad, indeed, to
make contract with him to deliver Jesus to
them ''in the absence Of the multltude;" but
to show their contempt for Jesus as well as
for Judas, they offered him only thirty pieces
of silver, SIT, the price Of a slave. Jesus knew
of this contract therefore, when Peter and
John asked Him where He would eat the feas.
with them, lie gave them a sign that they
would meet man carrying n pitcher of wa
ter, whom they were TO follow, and then make
ready the feast in that house. He did this
for the purpose of keeping Judas ignorant as to
their whereabouts, that they might partake
of the Passover feast in quiet for Judas dared
not follow them, lest he be suspected. The sign
was easy enough for Peter and John, because
women usually bore the water, and the fact
that this man was doing it showed that Christ
had f.Nn hs~
ing the drIdgery off OF the women in his
home.
PROUD AND DEFILED.
The disciples knew that crisis in His life
was at hand, and they had been quarreling as
to which should have the highest place in
the kingdom which they thought He was about
10 found. Therefore, when they got into the
room, although the basin md towel were there,
not one of them willing to Acknowledges
himself the servant of sH by washing the 9th
ers' feet. This was slaves duty; was never
one of them would, therefore, humble himself
to perform this duty, but with logged deter
mlnation and pride took his place at the table,
his feet still Lnwashed.
Their quarrel and this bitterness in their
hearts put them in an attitude which thorough
ly untitled them TO hear what Jesus had to
say TO them that night Each one was think
ing Of himself and not II the kingdom They
did not realize the humiliation and shame which
that attitude should have caused them. When
Jesus realized it, although He thoroughly
conscious of Ills divine origin and of the fact
mat he vas going back TO His Father, and
although He was thoroughly cognizant Of the
thoughts of their hearts, and although He had
His own burdens at that time which were 40
heavy for Him He should have not been called
on TO carry on any other ones, or to settle
an ugly quarrel between selfish Disciples still
He was actunted by love toward them. Having
loved His OWL which we're in the world He
loved them unto the uttsrmOst, His task was
marked out fer Him. lie must forget Him
self He must show His love to them by caus-
ing that love as the only way to CONQUER their
hearts. Although the Father had piv aII
things into .His hands, He chose to use only
one, love.
Without saying anything. He got up from
the table Just as supper was ready to be served
laid aside His outer garment, girded Himself
with towel and went around to each of the
disciples, removing the sandals from his dusty
feet and carefully bathing them and wIping
them, that they might be prepared for the
evening meal. think can appreciate some
tllng OF the surprise, the shame that each Of
these men felt, He came to them in turn
I rather think that the surprise increased as
He went from one to another. What must
have been the feelings In the heart of Judas
as Jesus washed his feet and gently wiped
them! Such love He manifested then is
indescribabl And yet 1t was done that He
have had in choosing Judas at fine first He
had all along been trying to win him: and if
He could have been more tender with anyone
OF them than with another. | am sure that
He more tender with Judas thinking He
might save him.
When He came to Peter, with a generous
said, you wash my feet" 1t vas just more
than Peter could understand. It was more
than he felt that he could allow, so thoroughly
ashamed he Of the Trde and selffshness
which he had displayed along with the others in
the recent quarrel. Very. quickly Jesus an
swered, What ] do now you cannot under
stand, but | will explain il to you later 4"
And then Peter said, Thou shalt never wash
my feet" Now Peters first statement was
alright 1t lust showed the generosity and
/ nobility Of the man; but his second state
ment all wrong. That showed pride and
obstinacy which is justifiable in a dis
ciple. The statement Of Jesus should have
settled the matter with him. He should have
had faith enough in Him to have allowed
Him to do what He wanted to do and trusted
Him for the explanations later. This state
ment Jesus rebuked severely. IF I do not
wash your feet" He said, then you shall
have any part with us: fellowship
with us" Then Then Peter erred on the other
side, mot my feet only he said, ''but my
hands and head WE'LL
Then Jesus gave an answer which showed
the real significance of it. HE that is bathed
needs not save to wash his feet only but is