A Summary of Yeshua’s Mission

12 ⁴⁴ Yeshua declared publicly, “Those who put their trust in me are trusting not merely in me, but in the One who sent me. ⁴⁵ Also those who see me see the One who sent me. ⁴⁶ I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who trusts in me might not remain in the dark. ⁴⁷ If anyone hears what I am saying and does not observe it, I don’t judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸ Those who reject me and don’t accept what I say have a judge—the word which I have spoken will judge them on the Last Day. ⁴⁹ For I have not spoken on my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has given me a command, namely, what to say and how to say it. ⁵⁰ And I know that his command is eternal life. So what I say is simply what the Father has told me to say.”

This summary of Yeshua’s public message and challenge encourages “secret believers” to become public witnesses who let their words and lives fearlessly proclaim that they rely on God and His truth. To reject Yeshua is to reject God, and his message will stand to judge all humanity.

Yeshua Washes His Talimidim’s Feet

13 ¹ It was just before the festival of Pesach, and Yeshua knew that the time had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. Having loved his own people in the world, he loved them to the end. ² They were at supper, and the Adversary had already put the desire to betray him into the heart of Y’hudah Ben-Shim‘on from K’riot. ³ Yeshua was aware that the Father had put everything in his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God. ⁴ So he rose from the table, removed his outer garments and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured some water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the talmidim and wipe them off with the towel wrapped around him.

Foot washing was a courtesy shown to guests in a home, usually performed by a servant or the host’s wife when the guests entered the house or while they were reclining at table (see Luke 7:44, Mark 1:7). Here Yeshua acts out his teaching of Mark 10:43–44 that the greatest must be a servant. (If you have missed out on this ceremony, you have missed out on a very humbling experience.)

⁶ He came to Shim‘on Kefa, who said to Him, “Lord! You are washing my feet?” ⁷ Yeshua answered him, “You don’t understand yet what I am doing, but in time you will understand.” ⁸ “No!” said Kefa, “You will never wash my feet!” Yeshua answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ “Lord,” Shim‘on Kefa replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and head too!” ¹⁰ Yeshua said to him, “A man who has had a bath doesn’t need to wash, except his feet—his body is already clean. And you people are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ (He knew who was betraying Him; this is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.”) ¹² After He had washed their feet, taken back His clothes and returned to the table, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me ‘Rabbi’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because I am. ¹⁴ Now if I, the Lord and Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Yes, indeed! I tell you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is an emissary greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

A talmid is not above his Rabbi but can become like his Rabbi. This pattern was standard both in first-century and later Judaism. On Yeshua as both the one sent and sender, see the note on Yochanan 3:16-18.

The Meaning of the Foot Washing

¹⁸ “I’m not talking to all of you – I know which ones I have chosen. But the words of the Tanakh must be fulfilled that say, ‘The one eating my bread has turned against me.¹⁹ I’m telling you now, before it happens; so that when it does happen, you may believe that I AM [who I say I am]. ²⁰ Yes, indeed! I tell you that a person who receives someone I send receives me, and that anyone who receives me receives the One who sent me.” 

²¹ After saying this, Yeshua, in deep anguish of spirit, declared, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that one of you will betray me.” ²² The talmidim stared at one another, totally mystified – whom could He mean? ²³ One of His talmidim, the one Yeshua particularly loved, was reclining close beside Him. ²⁴ So Shim‘on Kefa motioned to him and said, “Ask which one He’s talking about.” ²⁵ Leaning against Yeshua’s chest, he asked Yeshua, “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶ Yeshua answered, “It’s the one to whom I give this piece of matzah after I dip it in the dish.” So He dipped the piece of matzah and gave it to Y’hudah Ben-Shim‘on from K’riot. ²⁷ As soon as Y’hudah took the piece of matzah, the Adversary went into him. “What you are doing, do quickly!” Yeshua said to him. ²⁸ But no one at the table understood why he had said this to him. ²⁹ Some thought that since Y’hudah was in charge of the common purse, Yeshua was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or telling him to give something to the poor. ³⁰ As soon as he had taken the piece of matzah, Y’hudah went out, and it was night. ^[1]

This sermon can remind Believers that true greatness in the Kingdom of God comes through servanthood and humility. It encourages them to confront their pride and consider how they might serve others, embodying Yeshua’s love even in the mundane acts of daily life.

In our next post, we will continue to explore the Gospel of Yochanan.

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^[1] Yochanan 12:44-13:30