Gospel of John: March 23, 2017

Date	Theme	Scripture & Class Exercises
March 23	The Last Supper Chapters 13-17	Jesus washes the disciples’ feet: 13: 1-20 Jesus’ New Commandment: 13: 31-35 The Promise of the Holy Spirit: 14: 15-31

The Last Supper:  Chapters 13-17

1. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet: 13:1-20  (DVD Disc 2; Chapter 3)

What is the act of foot washing?  Why was it done in Jesus’ time?   Who usually did the act?    There was a space when people entered the house to wash your feet.  Feet were usually dirty since sandals were worn. This was usually done by the lowest servant or slave in the household. Touching feet was sometimes considered to be an act of uncleanliness or submission.  Jesus breaks the established hierarchy.  This goes back to his decree that the lowest become the highest and the Highest must lower themselves.  Jesus shows that he is without shame, or worried about caste structure, and that there is no shame in serving.  He is living his example of personal humility and teaching that the purpose of the Highest in our society must serve the Lowest.

            How would the different disciples have felt when Jesus washed their feet?

Class Response:

Peter: Doesn’t want Jesus to demean himself but doesn’t want to be excluded 

Judas: Probably very uncomfortable since he knows he’s going to betray Jesus

John (the author):  Probably was one of the disciples who accepted what Jesus was doing

James and John (Zebadee):  These two were always trying to figure out their place in Jesus’    

          Hierarchy, so this was a strong lesson for them.   Showed them that life was about serving,  

           not a competition

Thomas (the doubter):  Probably wondering what this really meant

Nathaniel (the skeptic):  Probably wondering what good this would do.

Matthew (the tax collector):  Probably felt very assured and included

            How would you have felt?

2. Jesus’ New Commandment: 13:31-35  (DVD Disc 2; Chapter 5)

            What is “new” about Jesus’ commandment?

1^st two commandments are:  1. Love God with all your being; 2. Love your neighbor as yourself

This sets up two “trinity” relationships: this first one is communal and the second is personal

                                                           

               GOD                                                              GOD

           /               \                                                      /               \ 

         /  CHRIST   \                                                  /  CHRIST  \

        /                     \                                               /                       \

PERSON ------- NEIGHBOR                        PERSON ----- OUR OTHER SELF

                                                               (the problem part of us that we pray about)

The Third Commandment: To love others as Christ loved us; puts Christ in the middle of these two trinities to achieve this.

3. The Promise of the Holy Spirit: 14:15-31 (DVD Disc 2; Chapter 6)

            How does the word “Counselor” describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

Class Response:

*The Holy Spirit is connected to God and then is witnessed as connected to Jesus at his Baptism.

*The disciples see the Holy Spirit utilized in Miracles and witness Christ’s Transfiguration.

* The disciples start to connect to and use the Holy Spirit when they begin to heal people.

Holy Spirit: Advocate, Counselor, Helper, Accessible to Everyone

     LAW: Follow the rules but doesn’t guarantee eternal life

     GRACE: Holy Spirit guides us as Christ guided us in God’s love.  Leads to Eternal life.

            What is the difference between love through Christ and earning through our good works?

            How does the peace Jesus offers differ from the peace offered by the world? 

4.   How do the three concepts of being a servant, the New Commandment, and the Holy Spirit affect you?