The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-03-03
Lesson for March 6
JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES
FEET

JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES
FEET
LESSON TEXT-John 1s:1-17.
GOLDEN TEXT-Even as the Son Of
man came not to be ministered unto,
but to minister, and to give his life q
ransom for many.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus Washes the
disciples Feet.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Jesus Performs q
Humble Task.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
;1C-Jesus Dignifies Lowly Service.
, YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP.
l1C-The Spirit of Christianity.
!. christ's Amazing Love for His
lOWn wv. 1-3).
Jesus was fully conscious Of what
was Immediately before him. He
knew that the cross with all its shame
land Anguish was upon him. He knew
THAT his disciples would shamefully
tforsake him in few hours. He knew
that one of that number would be the
instrument in the hands of the Devil
i'm his betrayal. He was fully con-
:Scious Of his deity. He knew that all
things were in his hands. Despite all
this, he displayed great patience and
manifested untiring love. He did not
withdraw his love from them because
:of their. weakness and the shameful
failure which he knew would soon be
made manifest. He not only loved
them to the end Of his earthly min
iistry, but loved them unto the "utter-
most" Loved to the uttermost"
means that he bestowed upon them
his love even to the extent of taking
their place in death.
II. Christ Washing the Disciples
Feet wv. 4-1D.,
T''is act was symbolic of his amaz-
ing love for his disciples Jesus did
not regard his hands too holy to do
this mental service.
1. Steps in this service wv. 4-6).
a. He rises from supper.
b. Laid aside his garments.
c. Took towel and girded himself.
d. Poured water into basin.
e. Washed his disciples feet.
f. Wiped them with the towel
wherewith he was girded.
These steps symbolic Christ's en-
tire work of redemption. His rising
from supper represents his rising from
his place of enjoyment in the heaven
ily glory. His laying aside his gar
;ments symbolized his putting aside
his vesture Of majesty (Phil. 2:7, 81.
His girding himself symbolized his
taking the form of servant (Phil.
i2:D. The water in the basin-his
cleansing blood. His washing of the
disciples feet-his actual cleansing
of them through his Word John IS %;
Eph. 5 :26). His taking his garments
lagain--his returning to his place and
position of glory.
2. Peters impetuosity and ignor-
iance wv. Coy. When he realized
what the Lord was doing, he refused
to have his feet washed. When he
realized the peril of refusal, he de-
sired to be fully washed. He went
from one extreme to another.
3. The significance of this service
to those who participate in it wv.
SID.
a. 1t is spiritual cleansing ". 81.
Fellowship with Jesus is only possible
as we are continuously cleansed from
our sins The cleansing here is not
the washing of regeneration, but that
of Sanctifcation. Even those who are
regenerated need the continual cleans
ing of Christs blood in order to have
fellowship with him. He that is re-
generated; that is, washed in the
blood Of Christ (symbolized by water
baptism), does not need a repetition
of the act, but he needs the cleasing
of sanctifcation (symbolized by the
washing of the feet).
b. A badge of brotherly affection
". 14). This act showed his aban-
donment to the service of his disci-
pies. This is lesson that is much
needed today, True love is tested by
the service 1t renders.
c. A proof of humility ". 15). This
was a lesson much needed by the dis
ciples, and much needed BY us all to-
day. They had just been disputing
as to who should be the greatest in
the kingdom. Thus their selfish am
bition was expressing itself. On
every hand we see expressions Of
pride, vanity, and even arrogance, in
those who are professed followers Of
the lowly Jesus.
d. Equalization ". 16). AS the
disciples were thus served by Jesus
Christ, their vain ambitions were re-
ibuked. To enter into this service in
the Spirit Of Christ is to encounter q
leveling of humanity.
III. An Example for Us wv. 14-16).
Christ the Lord Of all became the
servant Of all, and his disciples are
under solemn obligation to follow him
in their service to others.
This obligation rests upon his lord
ship ". 14).