**Message of July 12, 2020

Eucharist

John 13:1-30

Read John 13:1-10**

Note: In Jesus’ day, people walked on dusty paths wearing sandals. Foot washing was necessary, but it was an assignment usually given to the lowest ranking servant.

*- Why do you think Peter objected when Jesus came to wash his feet (verses 6-8)? How do you understand Jesus’ answer to Peter in verse 8?

  • In verse 7, Jesus told Peter that he did not understand what Jesus was doing, but would understand later. In verse 10, Jesus explained the difference between bathing and washing the feet. What do you think he was referring to? (Look at Ephesians 5:26 and Titus 3:5). Can you think of Bible verses that correspond to “needing only to wash one’s feet”?*

*Read John 13:12-17

  • How would you answer Jesus’ question in verse 12: “Do you understand what I have done to you?”

  • In verse 15, Jesus explains that by washing their feet, he has given his followers and example. There are some churches where this example is followed literally, by washing one another’s feet. What do you think Jesus meant? What was the example we are to follow? Can you name three or four practical ways we may follow that example today?

  • In verse 16, who is the servant and who is the master? How should we understand this saying? How can we put it into practice?*

Read John 13:10-11 and 18-30

Note: In verse 18, Jesus quoted Psalm 41:9. Eating bread (sharing a meal) with someone meant hospitality had been offered and accepted. Lifting one’s heel was a symbolic gesture of rejection. It was an insult, and a breach of honor. The meaning of these words in the Psalm is: “the person I welcomed as a friend and ally has betrayed me.”

- Some people are troubled by passages like this. They wonder if perhaps they are not genuine believers, and whether they may fall away from faith. How can anyone be sure that their faith is genuine? How would you answer someone who told you they had these kinds of doubts? What Bible verses give you confidence regarding your own security in Christ?

Dan Stephenson

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