The apostle John tells us about something Jesus did during the Last Supper, something the other gospel accounts don’t mention: Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. Not only was this an example of humility and service, but it helped the disciples to understand the cross and what it means to live as people of the cross. In Christ, we are completely clean, but in the process of sanctification, we still need to confess and be cleansed of our sin. And the new command is to love others as we have experienced the love of Christ.
The following sermon was preached on Sunday morning, September 1, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Benbrook.
Sermon Summary
As I approach the Lord’s Supper table today, I want to begin by letting the Word of Christ dwell richly among us. I read from Hebrews 10:12-14, which reminds us of Christ’s single sacrifice for our sins and how He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. As we come to the table, I hope we can see it with new depth and meaning, especially through the lens of John 13, which presents the Last Supper in a unique way.
I’ve been enjoying our journey through the Gospel of John, and I realize how different it is from the other Gospels. John doesn’t focus on the elements of the Passover meal like Matthew, Mark, and Luke do. Instead, he highlights Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, an act that carries profound significance. This is our goal today: to understand how John’s account leads us to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
In John 13:1, we see that Jesus knows His hour has come, and He loves His disciples to the end. He prepares them for what is about to happen, including His betrayal and crucifixion. While the other Gospels emphasize the bread and the cup, John emphasizes the act of foot-washing, which teaches us important truths.
First, in Christ, through the cross, we are completely clean. Jesus tells Peter that the one who is bathed is completely clean, signifying that His sacrifice is a once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins. This is a radical shift from the understanding of sacrifice that Peter and the others had, where one sacrifice was needed for each sin. Jesus’ death on the cross perfects us for all time, freeing us from guilt and shame.
Second, we still get our feet dirty. While we are completely clean through Christ, we still sin and need to confess and seek forgiveness. This ongoing process of sanctification means we must regularly come to Christ for cleansing, just as we would wash our hands after getting them dirty, rather than needing a full bath again.
Finally, Jesus gives us a new commandment: to love one another as He has loved us. This commandment is new because it is modeled after Christ’s love, which is characterized by humility and service. When we reflect on Christ’s love for us, we are called to radiate that love to others through our actions.
As we prepare for the Lord’s Supper, I invite you to meditate on these truths. When you hold the bread, think about how in Christ you are completely clean and free from condemnation. Reflect on any areas where you need to confess and seek forgiveness. When you hold the cup, consider how you can love others in humility and service, just as Christ has loved you.
Let us prepare our hearts for this sacred moment together.