The mission of Jesus was confined to those who heard (John 12:30 ). The great work of giving Himself unto death glorified the Father (John 12:31-32 ), and brought deliverance from Satan and his power. The lifting up of the Son (crucifixion) makes salvation available to all, Greeks included (John 12:33 ).

Misinterpretation of the Scriptures indicates lack of illumination and understanding (John 12:34 ). Jesus appeals for acceptance of the light available to them (John 12:35-36 ), foretelling His departure. The Scriptures had said they would reject Him (John 12:37-41 ). Some believed but did not confess for fear (John 12:42-43 ). Also for love of the praise of men. Confession is necessary to believing unto salvation (Romans 10:10 ). Believing that saves is based on the solid ground of divine revelation teaching. In the Lord's summary of His past teaching in John 12:44-50, the substance of saving faith is stressed:

	To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father (John 12:44 ).
	To believe in Jesus is to recognise He is the revelation of the Father's love, mercy, righteousness (John 12:45 ).
	To believe in Jesus is to believe in God (John 12:45 ).
	To believe in Jesus is to receive Him as the light and become a son of light (John 12:46 ).
	To believe in Jesus is to accept that to reject Him is to face coming judgment (John 12:47-48 ).
	To believe in Jesus is to accept His Word as the authoritative Word of the Father (John 12:49 ).
	To believe in Jesus is to receive the spirit and life of His Word unto everlasting life (John 12:50 ).

For Jesus, the hour of death and departure had come, yet it was His love for His own that occupied Him.

John 13:1 "... having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end."

He put before His own needs, His chosen, called, cherished ones, and prepares them for being in the world during His bodily absence. "His own which were in the world" (John 13:1 ). All who are His own, shown to be so by their faith, love, and obedience, are the centre of His loving concern. He gives His supporting, strengthening, lovingkindness. When treachery or any wickedness is sown in the heart by the devil, the recipient is still free to resist.

John 13:2 "... the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; "

We are completely responsible for our actions. If we resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7 ). Even though Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, He did not exclude Judas from His tender service.

Knowing His divine authority, origin, and that He was destined to return to God's throne, He stooped to the most lowly of services (John 13:3 ). His spirit of condescension developed in us, leaves no room for pride of position, or seeing any form of service beneath us. It is expected that the spirit of the tender action of Jesus be enacted in all our relations with our brethren.

John 13:4,5 "rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ ... began to wash the disciples' feet, ..."

A servant Lord's lowly action is thought of as something demeaning, when it is misunderstood.

John 13:6 "... 'Lord, are You washing my feet?'"

To Peter it was the reversal of all proper relationship with the Lord - not understanding that in the kingdom of God, greatness is seen in humbly serving others. There is much more in the Lord's dealings with us than we can understand at the time.

John 13:7 "... 'What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.'"

The time of clear understanding will come, it may be soon or late, but the revelation will come.

We can easily relate to Peter's response (John 13:8 ). Jesus answered his exhibition of self-will with,

John 13:8 "... 'If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.'"

To which there is a yielding of every part of himself by Peter, desirous of fullest identification with his Lord. (John 13:9 ). Though washed, sanctified, justified, our daily walk needs special attention.

John 13:10 " ... 'He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, ... and you are clean, but not all of you.'"

(1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 1:9 ). Those who are unclean cannot hide among the clean, unnoticed by the Lord. The unclean do not go without warning, yet like Judas go doggedly on their way to their own eternal loss. Jesus as teacher and Master presents His own example to be followed and obeyed.

John 13:14 "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet."

We cannot call Him Lord and not do what He says and does (John 13:12-14 ). Mutual condescension and mutual service that shuns pretensions of greatness among brethren, is what He requires through His example (John 13:15 ).

John 13:16 "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; ..."

To know and practice the principle He acted out, brings real happiness (John 13:17 ). The expression of this happiness causes Jesus to reveal His knowledge that one among them would know no such joy (John 13:18-19 ). His foretelling would give reason to believe that He is indeed Christ the Lord (John 13:19 ). The Master's greatness is shown in their obedience - fulfilment of their Lord's commission (John 13:20; Matthew 28:19-20 ). They represent their sending Lord.

John 13:21 "When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, ..."

Contemplation of the thought put in Judas's heart by Satan, was now to be committed, and the terrible consequences for the betrayer. When a word of knowledge is given by the Holy Spirit, it can be shocking and troubling (1 Corinthians 12:8 ), but should always be shared with compassion. Application of a challenging word should first be put personally to our own heart before considering others. When Jesus said, "One of you will betray Me" none of them said, "Lord, is it Judas?" They searched their own hearts first. (John 13:22; Matthew 26:22 ).

Intimacy with the Lord opens us to the reception of privileged communication. Peter suggested that John, leaning on Jesus, should ask of whom Jesus had spoken (John 13:23-25 ). John was answered but not perhaps in the way he expected.

John 13:26 "... 'It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.'"

To do this was an act of special attention. To sin against the Lord is to do so in the face of His love. May we be kept from being unmoved by the persistent love of Jesus. Resistance to the Lord's love and appeals opens the heart to Satan's control.

John 13:27 "Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him ..."

Still none of the disciples really knew what Judas was about (John 13:28-29 ). The night into which Judas went was not as dark as the black night of his soul possessed by the prince of darkness (John 13:30 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. In what terms did Jesus predict His crucifixion? In which way can you lift Him up today? (John 12:30-33 ).
2. What is the substance of saving faith according to the summary of the teaching of Jesus in John 12:44-50?
3. Can we avoid responsibility for our own actions by blaming the devil? (John 13:2 ).
4. Do you think that we are to literally follow the example of Jesus and wash one another's feet? (John 13:4-14 ).