Wednesday, May 21 – John 13, 14 – Additional Reading: The Desire of Ages, chapters 72 and 73

1. How did Jesus feel when announcing Judas’s betrayal? (John 13:21)

2. What did He say to Judas? (John 13:27)

3. What name did Jesus give to the Holy Spirit? (John 14:16)

On the Wednesday of His final week of ministry, Jesus spent the day in retreat, resting and communing with the Father in preparation for the events to come.

On Thursday, Jesus and the disciples gathered for the Passover meal in the upper room. Following the Passover meal, He instituted the Lord’s Supper.

“Christ was standing at the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. He, the spotless Lamb of God, was about to present Himself as a sin offering, that He would thus bring to an end the system of types and ceremonies that for four thousand years had pointed to His death. As He ate the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice. The national festival of the Jews was to pass away forever. The service which Christ established was to be observed by His followers in all lands and through all ages.” The Desire of Ages, p. 652

After the Passover meal, and as we understand, before the Lord’s Supper, knowing that Judas would betray Him and that He was returning to the Father, John describes one of the most powerful and emblematic scenes in all of Scripture: Jesus, like a servant, washed the feet of His disciples.

“According to Jewish custom extending back probably to the time of Jesus, the washing of the master’s feet was one of the duties of a foreign slave, but was not one expected of a Jewish slave. However, it was a service a wife owed her husband, and children their father. (See Strack and Billerbeck, Kommentar zum Neuen Testament, vol. 2, p. 557). The service was thus regarded as menial. Inasmuch as no servant was present on the occasion of the Last Supper, one of the disciples should have undertaken the task, but none volunteered.” SDA Bible Commentary, John 13:5

“The purpose of these acts and of those that followed may be inferred from the account given by Luke regarding the strife for supremacy among the disciples (see on Luke 22:24). Jesus aimed to give an example of humble, unselfish service. He hoped that the practical demonstration would impress His disciples as no mere precept could.” SDA Bible Commentary, John 13:4

Peter’s reaction reflects the human tendency toward extremes. First, he exclaimed, “You shall never wash my feet!” and then, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus clarified that even well-intentioned extremes have no place in His kingdom. Truth lies not in extremes but in obedience and submission to His word.

In prophetic words that Peter likely did not understand at the time, Jesus revealed that he too, would follow Him in death: “Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.’” (John 13:36).

“About 35 years later, in the city of Rome, Peter did lay down his life for his Master. At his own request he was crucified with his head earthward (see AA 537, 538). See on Matt. 26:35.” SDA Bible Commentary, John 13:37

The words of John 14 were spoken to the disciples in the upper room. They felt saddened because He had announced His departure. He comforted them with a beautiful promise that applies to His disciples in every generation:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1–3)

To Thomas, Jesus explained that He is the only way to the Father, the truth, and the life. To Philip, He revealed that He is the ultimate revelation of the Father: His character, purpose, and plan of salvation. He announced the transition to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, assigned by the Father to take His place until the end. To Judas (not Iscariot), He explained the work of the Holy Spirit:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

Then, right there in the upper room, He prepared them for His greatest trial and the climax of His mission: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27). “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.” (John 14:29). Having said this, He resolutely declared: “Arise, let us go from here.” (John 14:31)

Let us join Jesus in the coming days as we reflect on the final weekend of His earthly ministry. Let us read the account with gratitude to God for giving us His Son as Brother and Savior.

May God bless you with a wonderful day alongside your loved ones.