Welcome to the word of God online for October 24, 2009

We continue our series and the book of John and today will be reading John chapter 13 from the living Bible which is a paraphrase but out in the 70s

John chapter 13

Jesus knew on the evening of Passover day that it would be his last night on Earth before returning to his father. During supper the doubleheader he suggested to Judas Iscariot, Simon son, that this was the night to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the father had given him everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. And how he loved his disciples! So he got up from the supper table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his loins, poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and wiped them with the tile he had around him.

We came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “master, you shouldn’t be wahing our feed like ths.”

Jesus replied, “you don’t understand now why I am doing it; someday you will.”

“No,” Peter protested, “you shall never wash my feet!”

“But if I don’t, you can’t be my partner,” Jesus replied.

Simon Peter exclaimed, “and wash my hands and head as well — not just my feet!”

Jesus replied, “one who has bathed all over needs only to have his feet washed be entirely clean. Now you are clean — but that isn’t true of everyone here.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “not all of you are clean.”

After washing their feet he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “do you understand what I was doing? You call me Master and Lord, and you’d do well to say it, for it is true. And since I, the Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you are wash each other’s feet.

I am giving you an example to follow: do as I have done to you.

How true it is that a servant is not greater than his master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sent him. You know these things — now do them. That is the path of blessing.

“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know so well each one of you I choose. The Scripture declares, “one who eats supper with me will betray me,” and this will soon come true. I tell you this now so that when it happens, you will believe on me

“Truly anyone welcoming the person, whom I will send, is welcoming me. And to welcome me is to welcome the father who sent me.”

Now Jesus was in great anguish of spirit and exclaimed, “yes, it is true — one of you will betray me.”

The disciples looked at each other wondering who he could mean.

Since I was sitting next to Jesus at the table, being the closest friend, Simon Peter mentioned to me to ask him who it was and who would do this terrible deed.

So I turned and asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

He told me, “it is the one I honor by giving the bread dipped in the sauce.”

And When He had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.

As soon as Judas had eaten it, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “hurry — do it now.”

None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. Some thought that since Judas was there treasurer, Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. Judas left that wants, going out into the night.

As soon as Judas left to roam, Jesus said, “my time has come; the glory of God will soon surround me — and all shall received great praise because of all that happens to me.

And God shall give me his own glory, and this so very soon. Dear, dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you! Then, though you search for me you cannot come to me — just as I told the Jewish leaders.

“And so I am giving a new commandment to you now — love each other just as much as I love you.

Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Simon Peter said, “master where are you going?”

In Jesus replied, “you can’t go with me now; but you will follow me later.”

“But why can’t I come now?” He asked, “for I am ready to die for you.”

Jesus answered, “die for me? No — three times before the cock crows tomorrow morning, you will deny that you even know me!”

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