John 13

Chapter 13
This chapter gives some more tidbits that I love that we don't find in the other gospels. For example, in verse one, John tells us that the Savior loved those in the world and he loved them to the end of his ministry. John isn't saying this from an eternal perspective, but from the perspective of his experience with the Savior while the Savior was on the earth and John walked with him.

We see the depth of Peter's dedication in verses 6-10. When Jesus washes the feet of the 12 apostles, notice that he washes Judas' feet also. He doesn't wait until after Judas has left. Even though he knows what Judas will do, he still bows before him and serves him. It was the duty of the lowliest slave or servant to wash the feet of the people when they entered a house. Their feet would be dirty from walking in sandals and when home owners returned, or guests arrived, the servant removed their sandals and washed their feet. So for the apostles, Jesus is lowering himself to the most humble positions of a slave. I think it's interesting that when we learn to be truly humble, when we forget about comparisons with other people and just love and serve them, that's when we can be truly happy (verse 17).

In verses 23-26, John doesn't say it was him who was leaning on Jesus' breast, that Jesus had a special love for him, but that is who Bible scholars think it was.

And then we get the verses 34-35 that are now the Primary song. This is where it is so easy to miss the boat with the gospel. It's how we treat others, regardless of how they treat us. If we love others, then we are true disciples.