January 11, 2026

UNIT 1: THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

LESSON: 6

Study Text: John 13:1-17

Central Truth: Christians should follow Jesus.' example and serve one another.

KEY Verse-John 13:15 I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (KJV).

"I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you" (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

In our last lesson, we studied Jesus' role as Good Shepherd and His statement that His sheep recognize His voice. Today, we will need to listen closely to what Jesus is saying. Sometimes, His call to servanthood can be difficult to hear and obey.

DISCUSSION STARTER-Hearing Better

What are some ways people try to improve their physical hearing? How can we take similar steps to improve our spiritual hearing?

Let's ask the Lord to help us block out distractions and give our full attention to Jesus' words and actions in John 13. After His conflict with the religious leaders during the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22-42), Jesus traveled to Bethany (near Jerusalem) and raised Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44). From that time on, the religious authorities were actively plotting to kill Him (verse 53). On Palm Sunday, He entered Jerusalem as its rightful king, prophesied His death and glorification, was validated by God's voice, and spoke with crowds--always with the Pharisees' threats in the background. This lesson covers the opening moments of the Last Supper. John chose not to recount the symbolism of the bread and cup. Instead, his Gospel includes many other details about Jesus' words and actions that night.

PART 1-Jesus Lowered Himself

The Source of True Humility              John 13:1-3

On the night before Hi crucifixion, Jesus knew what was coming: betrayal, denial, desertion, agony, shame, and death. But even though He knew His disciples would soon abandon Him. Jesus "loved them to the very end" (John 13:1). And He was about to deliver a powerful message of humility and servanthood. He lowered himself to serve His disciples, not because He thought himself unworthy, but with full knowledge of His authority, origin, and destiny: "Jesus knew that the Father had given authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God" (verse 3). We must also know our God-given identity if we are to truly serve others and love them like Jesus.

? How do believers develop "thr same attitude that Christ Jesus had" (Philippians 2:5)? How is it rooted in understanding our identity and destiny?

The Results of True Humility           John 13:4-5

John 13:4-5 describes how Jesus washed His disciples' feet. Even if the situation were reversed and the disciples washed their Master's feet, the behavior would have been viewed as against the norm. This act of humble service was reserved for the lowest status of people: servants and slaves. Nevertheless, Jesus rose from His position of privilege at the table and took the position of a servant. He removed His outer robe, as one would do for manual labor, and took a towel and basin of water to wash His disciples' feet, taking the position of humble service i in every respect. He had come from God and when His mission was complete, He would return to God. Jesus knew His hour had cme, and He was determined to love His disciples all the way to the cross (verse 1).

? What acts of service might be modern equivalents to foot-washing?

PART 2-Humility and Holiness

The Humility of Being Served           John 13:6-8

The physical cleansing of the disciples' feet foreshadows the cleansing redemption Jesus would offer through His death on the cross. Throughout John's Gospel, water has been an important symbol, as we saw in the opening lesson on John 3 when Jesus told Nicodemus, "No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit" (verse 5). It is not difficult to identify with Peter's reluctance. He would have viewed foot-washing as a demeaning task for his Master to undertake. When Peter said, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" (13:6), Jesus explained that Peter didn't understand yet, but one day he would (verse 7). Allowing someone to serve you requires a certain kind of humility. It is clear that accepting Jesus' help was not something Peter could easily humble himself to do. We might excuse Peter by saying that his heart was in the right place and he wanted to preserved Jesus' dignity and honor. But instead, it seems Peter did not have the humility to trust that Jesus was right.

? Is it difficult for you to allow to help you? Why or why not?

Our Need for Jesus; Cleansing            John 13:8-11

Jesus' response to Peter in the second half of John 13:8 was symbolic. The washing He was talking about was not mere foot-washing but the cleansing of one's life from sin. Only Jesus can do that. Unless Jesus cleanses people from their sin, they cannot belong to Him and have no share in the eternal life He gives. To Peter's credit, he changed his response from, "You will never ever wash my feet" (verse 8) to, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!" (verse 9). But he did not yet understand Jesus' greater meaning. In chapter 13, before Judas Iscariot's departure, Jesus qualified the plural "you" in "You disciples are clean" by adding "but not all of you" (verse 10). Judas would soon demonstrate that---although his feet and been washed by Jesus--he was not inwardly clean (verse 11).

? Outward cleansing is always temporary. Feet that have been washed will keep getting dirty again. But how is the cleansing Jesus offers both once-and-for-all and ongoing?

PART 3-Maintain Humility

Follow Jesus' Example           John 13:12-15

After Jesus' shocking act of service, He rejoined the meal, reclining with His disciples at the table. Then He brought home the point of what He had just done. Jesus began with a thought-provoking question: "Do you understand what I was doing?" (John 13:12). Jesus expected the disciples to do more than simply sit back and observe Him; they were to consider the significance of His actions. Jesus drew attention to the titles His disciples rightly bestowed upon Him. teacher and Lord (verse 13). Both could be used for rabbis or other people in authority. Jesus highlighted the contrast between His respected titles and His menial task. He wanted the disciples to understand that He did not consider such task beneath Him, and neither should they. In the next verses, Jesus went even further and made it an explicit command to follow His example (verses 14-15).

? Some Christians believe literal foot-washing is a necessary act of obedience still today. Why might they believe this? Why do you agree or disagree?

Knowing and Doing             JOHN 13:16-17

In John 13:16, Jesus declared that servants are not greater than their masters and messengers are not greater than those who send them. If our Lord was willing to serve in humility, His followers should have no problem lowering themselves to the position of a humble servant. In verse 17, Jesus emphasized the importance of living out His word. It is not too difficult for Jesus' disciples--both then and now--to grasp what He means by His remains to be seen. With the Holy Spirit's help, we can and must obey! This is certainly not the only New Testament passage that emphasizes the connection between knowing and doing. Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount with an illustration about listening to and following His teaching (Matthew 6:8).

? Why is it so often difficult to move from knowing something to actually doing it?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Even after we've been cleansed and brought into right standing with God, we still need the ongoing cleansing of Jesus. We should be quick to confess our sins and receive His forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).  And since our Lord and master humbled himself   to wash His disciples' feet, we must follow His example of selfless service. Let us live out His command, not simply agree that it's a good idea. We can never match God's ultimate humility or Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, but "he has shown you, O mortal, what, is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

LIVING IT OUT

(1). Ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas of your life where pride has taken hold. Then, ask Him to help you walk in true humility as you serve Him and others.

 (2). Think of ways to serve the people in your life who are not yet following Jesus and be ready to share the gospel with them when the door opens. 

There is no greater way to serve people than to point them to Jesus.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

                 Monday: Moses, God's Humble Servant.  Numbers 12:3-8

Tuesday: David, Servant King.  2 Samuel 7:4-9

       Wednesday: Daniel, Servant of God.  Daniel 6:18-23

      Thursday: Jesus came to Serve. Matthew 20:25-28

Friday: Paul, Servant of Jesus. Romans 1:1-6

     Saturday: Jesus' Brothers. James 1:1; Jude 1-2

RADIANT LIFE

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