Christ has stooped for us! Let us stoop for one another. John 13:1-18

The Humility of Christ and the Washing of feet

Text: John 13:1-18

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Introduction: The Servant-King Stoops to Serve

Beloved, observe with reverence and adoration the condescension of our Lord! He who stretched out the heavens like a curtain now stoops to wash the feet of His own disciples. The hands that formed the mountains now handle the dust-covered feet of men. Here is majesty clothed in humility! The infinite stooping to the insignificant!

Let us sit at His feet today, for if ever there was a lesson that the pride of man despises, it is this: true greatness is found in humble service. The Lord of glory girds Himself with a towel and kneels in the posture of a servant—ah! Do you not see? The gospel is before us!

Brethren, let us consider:
1. The Necessity of Cleansing – “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”
2. The Example of Humility – “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.”
3. The Exclusion of Judas – “Ye are clean, but not all.”
4. The Call to Minister to One Another – “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

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I. The Necessity of Cleansing (John 13:6-10)

Here we see Peter—oh, rash, impetuous Peter!—as he protests:

“Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (v. 6).

He recoils from the thought. Surely, the Lord of life should not bow before him! But mark the Master’s reply:

“What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (v. 7).

Oh, the folly of human reason! Peter questions what he does not yet understand, and Christ will not yet explain. Some things must be learned by experience. We must submit first, and then understanding will follow.

But Peter, in his well-meaning ignorance, resists further:

“Thou shalt never wash my feet” (v. 8).

To which comes the solemn warning:

“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

1.  A Picture of the Cleansing of the Soul – This was not merely about dusty feet, but about spiritual purification. The feet symbolize our walk in the world. The believer, though washed in regeneration, yet gathers defilement in daily life. If we do not daily seek cleansing, we risk losing close fellowship with our Lord.
•   “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
•   “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).
2.  An Essential Work of Christ – Mark well! Jesus does not say, “If you wash yourself,” but “If I wash thee not.” No man can cleanse his own soul. No human effort can purify the stain of sin. If Christ does not wash you, you remain defiled.

Oh, unwashed sinner, do you resist His cleansing still? Will you reject the Savior’s touch? If so, you have no part with Him!

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II. The Example of Humility (John 13:12-15)

The disciples sat dumbfounded. Their Master, their Lord—had He not just washed their feet? And now He rises, removes His towel, and speaks:

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet” (vv. 13-14).

1.  The Majesty of the Lowly Christ – Let kings and rulers learn! Greatness is not in power, but in humility. Christ took upon Him the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7), and we must do likewise. The world esteems those who rule, but in the kingdom of heaven, it is he who serves that is truly great.
•   “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:27).
2.  The Church Must Be a Family of Humble Servants – If our Master has stooped, shall we not stoop? If Christ has served, shall we not serve? Brethren, there is no room for pride in the household of faith! Clothe yourselves with humility (1 Peter 5:5), and let love reign in your hearts:
•   “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12).

If there is strife in the church, let us remember that he who is greatest must be least. Let each seek to wash his brother’s feet, figuratively speaking, by acts of service, encouragement, and love.

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III. The Exclusion of Judas (John 13:11, 18)

Ah! There is a shadow among the twelve. Jesus looks upon them and says:

“Ye are clean, but not all” (v. 11).

Judas sat among them, but he was never truly one of them. Hypocrisy sat at the table of Christ! Let none be deceived—outward religion saves no man.
1. A Picture of False Professors – The church will always have its Judases. Some will profess faith, be baptized, even serve, yet remain unregenerate.
• “Simon the sorcerer himself believed… and was baptized” (Acts 8:13), yet Peter declared,
• “Thy heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:21).
2. The Reality of Apostasy – Let it be known: a man may walk with the saints and yet have the heart of a devil. Judas walked with Christ, but he was never washed. He had part with the apostles, but not with Christ!

Woe unto the man who plays at religion but knows not the Lord!

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IV. The Call to Minister to One Another (John 13:14-17)

Lastly, brethren, let us consider Christ’s final words on this matter:

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (v. 17).

1.  Service is a Mark of True Discipleship – We are called to wash one another’s feet, not by mere ceremony, but by genuine, practical acts of love.
•   “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
•   “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
2.  Purity and Humility Walk Hand in Hand – We are called to be a holy people, cleansed by the Word and bound together in humility.
•   “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

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Conclusion: Three Illustrations
1. Salvation – As Peter submitted to the washing, so must the sinner submit to the cleansing blood of Christ.
2. Discipleship – As Christ humbled Himself, so must we take up the towel of service and minister to one another.
3. Charity – Love must be the binding principle of the church. If Christ has stooped to love us, how can we not love one another?

Brethren, Christ has stooped for us! Let us stoop for one another. Let us serve, love, and remain unspotted from the world. Let our feet be washed daily by His Word, and may we wash one another’s feet through love and humility. Amen.

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Scripture References Used:
• John 13:1-18
• John 17:17
• Ephesians 5:26
• Matthew 20:27
• Colossians 3:12
• 1 Peter 5:5
• Galatians 5:13, 6:2
• 1 Peter 1:16
• Acts 8:13, 8:21

May God apply these truths to our hearts. Amen!