Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” vs8-11

The Lord Jesus chose the twelve, and one was a betrayer. He knew that he needed this demon possessed man to fulfill His purpose, because it was written,

But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ vs18

He needed someone whom He loved, but not with the special love of the elect, who would betray Him, so that God could be justified and man can be shown for who he is. People think that sinners are nice people, just waiting to hear the gospel, but it is not true. Without supernatural grace, we all play the Judas, the Pilate, or the Herod. We all challenge God like Pharaoh. Therefore, grace makes a distinction, and those who perish, like Judas, do so because they reject the light.

These are HARD WORDS, but they are true. Salvation by grace turns sinners into saints. Justice leaves men to perish in their own sins. Oh, we ought to be thankful for God’s electing love, and acknowledge Him as the difference maker. He has cleansed us by His word, born patiently with our ignorance, and redeemed us from sin. As foolish as Peter is, he is chosen, and being chosen, he loves God. As privileged as Judas was, he loved his sins and stole from the bag.

Who are you? Are you someone that hears the gospel and believes, in spite of your faults? Or, do you hear the truth, and despise it?

Secondly, we are to do to others as the Lord Jesus has done to us. vs8-11

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”

We are to be examples of His teaching by practicing it ourselves. It is not our lot to merely observe and enjoy. We are not only ministered unto, but we serve others, as He has served us.

Ephesians 4:32-5:2, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Has He loved you? Then love others. Are you forgiven? Then forgive. Has He suffered for you? Then suffer for others to hear the gospel. Our life is imitating Christ. We live like He lived, and He lived and died for us. He is our great example, and we grow into His likeness. God gives more grace and delights to transform us, as we ask for Christ’s character. 1 John 5:14-15, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” This is the boldness of praying according to His will. We know that we are not at the throne to merely talk, but also to obtain what He has promised. Therefore, go with fervor and the Blood as your confidence. He will surely do it.

Thirdly, God has given a command to the wicked. vs27

So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

He has an elect to save, and He must be about this business. Many times, they wanted to seize Jesus or murder Him, but His hour had not come. Now, on God’s schedule, it is time to redeem the sheep. His purpose must be fulfilled, and Judas is the instrument.

This is a great warning to the wicked. The man outside of Christ is in danger, because he could be a vessel of wrath, chosen to glorify God’s power in his destruction [Rom 9:22]. He could be a Judas or an Esau, and he has no safety, until he’s inside of Christ.

I warn you. Don’t take refuge outside of Christ. The City of Refuge was set up for sinners to flee into. Hebrews 6, says,

“We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

We flee to Christ without delay. We don’t wait on more feelings or assurances. We don’t delay to figure out matters, nor do we put Him off. He’s the only hope that I have, lest He reprobate me [John 12:36-40]. I don’t want one second outside of Christ.

Come now, and He will receive you. Confess sin and hypocrisy, tell Him about your unbelief, and get the mercy promised. He will receive you, and He warns us to receive all who come.