12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
Jesus now showed the importance of living out salvation in daily life.
13:12
So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again,
Jesus finished washing the disciples’ feet and reposed again by reclining on the ground.
He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
Jesus now attempted to make the point of His washing feet obvious. He wanted His disciples to clearly understand His intent in doing so. The disciples at this point had no clue to the meaning of Jesus’ question.
13:13
You call Me Teacher and Lord,
Verses 13 to 17 answer Jesus’ question of verse 12. If the person whom the disciples asserted to have status washed the feet of people without status, then there was a lesson in that.
“Teacher” and “Lord” are titles of respect. “Teacher” was the ordinary way to address a religious leader. The title “Lord” speaks of high reverence. Jesus was not on the same status as the disciples. Learning from Jesus is one thing, but submitting to Him as Lord is another.
and you say well, for so I am.
Jesus clearly ratified His status as “Teacher and Lord.” He understood who He was without any question. As the Son of God, Jesus was on a divine mission.
Note that the disciples never called the Lord “Jesus.” The gospel writers referred to Him as “Jesus,” but that is different than calling Him Jesus in personal relationship.
PRINCIPLE:
Understanding who Jesus is, is fundamental to living as believers.
APPLICATION:
We need to understand who Jesus is and His plan for His followers before we can live out what He expects of us.
