Sermons

John 13:1-17 “Jesus' Selfless Love"

2025-04-06
Craig Barnett

The Servant King Washes Feet and Hearts

 

 

 

Jesus' Selfless Love


Jesus, fully God and fully man, stooped to wash the feet of His disciples. In doing so, He demonstrated love in action—calling us to imitate His humility, serve one another, and embrace the cleansing only He can provide.

 

Christ’s Love in Action


In John 13:1-17, Jesus, on the eve of His crucifixion, performed a task reserved for the lowliest servant. He washed the feet of His disciples—those He loved to the end. This act was not only deeply symbolic but an embodiment of divine humility and grace. He gave a living picture of Philippians 2:5-8, humbling Himself, taking the form of a bondservant.


Understanding the Cleansing


Peter resisted, not understanding that Jesus’ washing was more than physical—it signified the inner cleansing that only Christ provides. Like the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:30) and promises of purification (Jeremiah 33:8), Christ's washing pointed to the cleansing from sin through His atoning work. It reminds us that unless we are washed by Him, we have no part with Him (John 13:8).

 

Follow the Servant Example


Christ called His disciples to follow His example—not merely to imitate the outward deed, but the inward heart. Selfless love is marked by humility, service, and the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:3-4). The way of the kingdom is found on our knees, serving others in love..


Love That Flows from Worship


Psalm 84 reminds us of the joy found in the presence of God. True worship leads to humble service. This love overflows in songs of praise and in acts of grace toward one another. What Christ began, He calls His people to continue, empowered by the Spirit.

 

 

Key Verses and Commentary:

 

  1. John 13:1 (NASB 1995) “Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come... having loved His own... He loved them to the end.” – Christ’s love is unwavering and complete.
     
  2. Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB 1995) “Do nothing from selfishness... regard one another as more important...” – The believer’s mindset must mirror Christ’s humility.
     
  3. Philippians 2:5-8 – Christ’s incarnation and humility become our model.
     
  4. 1 John 1:9 – The cleansing Christ offers continues through confession.
    John 13:14-15 – “I gave you an example...” – A command, not merely a suggestion.

 

Key Words:

 

  1. Selfless – Putting others above oneself; modeled perfectly by Christ.
     
  2. Servant – One who ministers to others; Jesus took the form of a slave.
     
  3. Cleanse – To purify from sin; only Christ can wash the heart.
     
  4. Imitate – To follow or mimic; believers are called to live as Christ lived.
     
  5. Humility – Lowliness of mind; esteeming others above self.

 

Key People

 

  1. Jesus – The Servant King, embodying divine love and humility.
     
  2. Peter – The disciple who initially resisted, then submitted to Christ’s cleansing.
     
  3. The Disciples – Recipients of Christ’s love and example, called to follow.

 

From Footwashing to Heart Transformation


The outward act of washing feet pointed to a greater inner work—cleansing hearts and transforming lives. Christ’s message was not simply moralism, but spiritual renewal through His person and work.

 

Original Audience Message:

 

  1. Jesus is not merely a teacher—He is the cleansing Savior.
     
  2. His love is not abstract—it’s demonstrated.
     
  3. His followers must embody the same humility He displayed.
     
  4. To be part of Him, one must be washed by Him.

 

Applications for Believers Today

 

  1. Walk in Humility: Reject pride and model the servant-heart of Christ Jesus.
     
  2. Serve One Another: The way of the kingdom is seen in service.
     
  3. Pursue Cleansing: Daily confess and depend on Christ’s continual cleansing.
     
  4. Model the Gospel: Love visibly and sacrificially in the world.
     
  5. Worship with Joy: Draw near to God with delight, like Psalm 84 expresses.

 

Washed to Walk in Love

 

Christ’s love stooped lower than any man would dare, yet in that lowliness, He exalted the way of true greatness. He knelt not out of weakness, but out of divine strength—serving sinners, cleansing the unworthy, and modeling a kingdom ethic built on humility. He calls us to follow Him—not merely by mimicking His actions, but by living from hearts transformed by His grace. As those washed clean by His blood, let us rise to serve with the same towel-wrapped love, walking in humble obedience, and loving one another as He has loved us.

 

 

 

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