John 13

John 13: Washing of the Feet

                After Supper was over; Jesus, knowing that His hour had come and that He would soon go down to take upon Himself the Sins of the World and knowing that Judas would betray Him. He put aside His garments and girded a towel around Himself and began to wash the feet of His Apostles. As Jesus was washing the feet of the Apostles, Simon Peter asks Jesus; “…Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (John 13:6) Peter was shocked that Jesus would do such a thing, seeing that He was the Son of God! Jesus tells Peter; “…What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” (John 13:7) Peter is shocked that someone like Jesus would be washing his feet! After all, he felt like he was nothing in the sight of Jesus, he tells Him; “…Thou shalt never wash my feet…” (John 13:8). But Peter forgot the importance of the work of the Lord, just because Jesus was the Son of God, did not mean He couldn’t serve His Apostles. Jesus responds; “…If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (John 13:8) Upon hearing this statement, Peter asks God to wash also his hands and head. Jesus explains that he did not need further washing, for he was clean. However, Jesus points out that not ALL of the Apostles were clean.

After washing the feet of all the Apostles, including Judas Iscariot (who would soon betray Jesus), Jesus teaches them; “Ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you… I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:13-16) Jesus taught that we should LOVE one another, and treat each other with kindness and respect. We should never take on a role of superiority that puts down others. Leaders, lead best when those they are leading are their equals. We need to follow the example of the Lord, and do as He would do.

Upon addressing the Apostles, He boldly proclaims; “…one of you shall betray me.” (John 13:21) The Apostles immediately started to question one another and themselves, they all asked who it was, Jesus responded; “…He it is, to whom I shall give a sop [morsel or mouthful], when I have dipped it…” (John 13:26), immediately Jesus dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas and said to him; “…That thou doest, do quickly.” (John 13:27) Upon receiving this, Satan entered into Judas and he immediately left. Some of the Apostle wondered why he left, but thought that maybe Jesus had commanded him to buy things for the feast.

After Judas had left, Jesus turned to the remaining Apostles and said; “…Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:31-35)

Peter asks Jesus why he cannot go with Him, and Jesus explains that he wouldn’t lay his life down for Him. He tells Peter that before the cock crows, he will deny him three times.

Leviticus 7-8

Leviticus 7-8

Chapter 7: Forgiveness through Sacrifice

The Law of the Trespass Offering, after the burnt offering has been killed the meat is to be eaten by the priest and any males that are with the priest during the time of the sacrifice. Theses shall be made as Atonement; At-One-Ment is a way to address a wrong, such as a sin.

If the burnt offering be as a “thanksgiving”, then the sacrifice of thanksgiving must be presented with unleavened cakes mingled with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil and fine flour, fried. The sacrifice must be eaten the day that it is sacrificed, unless it was a vow, then the sacrifice may be eaten in 2 days, but on the third day it must be burnt. If the sacrifice be eaten on the third day, the sacrifice shall be void and the person who commits this will be committing an abomination unto the Lord.

The children of Israel are commanded to not eat the fat of any beast, regardless of how the animal died. The fat is to be used for other purposes, but to never be eaten.

Israel is also commanded to not eat blood. (Leviticus 7:26)

Chapter 8: Washing and Anointing

The Lord commands Moses to bring the congregation of Israel before the doors of the Tabernacle, where Aaron and his sons are washed an anointed, they are clothed in the robes of the priesthood and are consecrated before Israel. Moses and Aaron offer sacrifices of reconciliation unto the Lord in the same manner as I have discussed in the previous chapters of Leviticus.

Exodus 39-40

Exodus 39-40

Chapter 39: Holy Garments

Holy Garments are made for Aaron and his priests, under the instructions given to Moses by God. The Tabernacle is finished and Moses blesses the people.

Chapter 40: Temple Washing

After completing the temple, Aaron and his priests go into the temple and are washed and anointed and given an everlasting priesthood.

The children of Israel are guided by a cloud in the sky. When the cloud was taken up into the skies, the children of Israel knew to move forward on their journey. But when the cloud descended upon them they knew to stop and not journey until it was taken up again. (Exodus40:36-37)

The cloud in the sky was to light up the tabernacle by day and fire by night.

Exodus 29-30

Exodus 29-30

Chapter 29: Washing and Anointing

Aaron and his sons are to be washed, anointed and consecrated. Sacrificial rites are performed in the temple.

They are to bring a basket of unleavened bread tempered with oil and wafers anointed with oil, made of wheaten flour. Bringing with them a bullock and 2 rams. The bullock and the 2 rams are to be killed and burnt as offerings. One of them rams will be eaten with the bread in the basket.

All of this being done as a atonement for the sins of the people.

Chapter 30: Altar of Incense

In the temple there is an Altar of Incense, where the priests can burn incense. This altar is built of shittim wood. This Altar is to be placed before the veil, which is by the Ark of Testimony.

Upon the altar of incense, a ritual of atonement is to be performed only once per year. The Lord speaks to Moses and tells him that everyone that is numbered in Israel needs to pay a half a shekel upon entering the temple. The money is to be used for the service of the tabernacle.

The Lord speaks to Moses again and tells him to make a “laver” of brass. Laver meaning wash, a wash basin made of brass. This is to be used by Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet. The priests are commanded to wash their hands and feet before entering the temple, and to be anointed with oil.