Sun,
Jul 20
1. A GENTILE CONCEPT
a. What destructive mentality originating with Lucifer affected Judaism (including Christ’s disciples) and can also affect us today? Luke 22:24, 25.
“Lucifer desired God’s power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. Thus alienation, discord, and strife will be inevitable. Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest. The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a steppingstone on which he himself may climb to a higher place.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 435, 436.
“In the kingdoms of the world, position meant self-aggrandizement. The people were supposed to exist for the benefit of the ruling classes. Influence, wealth, education, were so many means of gaining control of the masses for the use of the leaders. The higher classes were to think, decide, enjoy, and rule; the lower were to obey and serve. Religion, like all things else, was a matter of authority. The people were expected to believe and practice as their superiors directed. The right of man as man, to think and act for himself, was wholly unrecognized.”—Ibid., p. 550.
“By spiritual pride, a desire to dictate, an ambitious longing for honor or position . . . the church may be disturbed and her peace sacrificed.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 241.
Mon,
Jul 21
2. A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE NEEDED
a. In stark contrast to ambitious longing for a higher position, what principle did Jesus establish—and what example did He give in this regard? Luke 22:26, 27; John 13:13–16.
“Christ was establishing a kingdom on different principles. He called men, not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, education, placed their possessor under the greater obligation to serve his fellows. . . .
“In Christ’s kingdom there is no lordly oppression, no compulsion of manner. The angels of heaven do not come to the earth to rule, and to exact homage, but as messengers of mercy, to cooperate with men in uplifting humanity.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 550, 551.
b. Describe how Christ treated faulty humans—an attitude to replace our own natural tendency. Philippians 2:3, 4.
“It is a natural, but not a pleasing, trait in our characters to be keen in our perceptions, and tenacious in our remembrance, of the faults and failings of others.
“Brother B does not try to be in union with his brethren; his self-confidence has led him to feel no special necessity for union. He feels that their minds have been cast in a mold inferior to his own and that to receive their opinions and counsel as worthy of attention would be a great condescension. . . . He feels that he is too wise and experienced to need the precautions which are indispensable to many. He has so high an opinion of his own abilities and such a reliance upon his own attainments that he believes himself prepared for any emergency.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 444, 445.
“The influence of worldly selfishness, which is carried about by some like a cloud, chilling the very atmosphere that others breathe, causes sickness of soul and frequently chills to death.”—Ibid., p. 528.
“If there is that love among brethren which will lead them to esteem others better than themselves, there will be a giving up of their own ways and wishes to others.”—Gospel Workers, p. 447.
Tue,
Jul 22
3. A TENACIOUS TENDENCY
a. What concern did the apostles still have shortly before the Passover? Matthew 20:20–24; Luke 22:24.
“There was ‘a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.’ This contention, carried on in the presence of Christ, grieved and wounded Him. The disciples clung to their favorite idea that Christ would assert His power, and take His position on the throne of David. And in heart each still longed for the highest place in the kingdom. They had placed their own estimate upon themselves and upon one another, and, instead of regarding their brethren as more worthy, they had placed themselves first. The request of James and John to sit on the right and left of Christ’s throne had excited the indignation of the others. That the two brothers should presume to ask for the highest position so stirred the ten that alienation threatened. They felt that they were misjudged, that their fidelity and talents were not appreciated. Judas was the most severe upon James and John.
“When the disciples entered the supper room, their hearts were full of resentful feelings. Judas pressed next to Christ on the left side; John was on the right. If there was a highest place, Judas was determined to have it.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 643, 644.
b. What earlier illustration had the disciples apparently forgotten, thus triggering another cause for dissension among them? Matthew 18:1–4.
“Another cause of dissension had arisen. At a feast it was customary for a servant to wash the feet of the guests, and on this occasion preparation had been made for the service. The pitcher, the basin, and the towel were there, in readiness for the feet washing; but no servant was present, and it was the disciples’ part to perform it. But each of the disciples, yielding to wounded pride, determined not to act the part of a servant. All manifested a stoical unconcern, seeming unconscious that there was anything for them to do. By their silence they refused to humble themselves.”—Ibid., p. 644.
“Let us think how our words sound in the ears of God, how our selfish thoughts look in His sight, when we judge and condemn others, who may be better in heart and purpose than ourselves.”—The Signs of the Times, February 19, 1885.
Wed,
Jul 23
4. A PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION
a. After patiently waiting for the disciples to take the initiative, what did Jesus finally do? John 13:3–5.
“[John 13:5 quoted.] This action opened the eyes of the disciples. Bitter shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They understood the unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a new light.
“So Christ expressed His love for His disciples. Their selfish spirit filled Him with sorrow, but He entered into no controversy with them regarding their difficulty. Instead He gave them an example they would never forget.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 644, 645.
b. How did Peter react when it was his turn? John 13:6–8 (first part).
“Peter could not bear to see his Lord, whom he believed to be the Son of God, acting the part of a servant. His whole soul rose up against this humiliation. He did not realize that for this Christ came into the world.”—Ibid., pp. 645, 646.
c. How far had Judas yielded to Satan’s temptations—and how did Christ show He was aware of this? John 13:2, 10, 11.
“Before the Passover Judas had met a second time with the priests and scribes, and had closed the contract to deliver Jesus into their hands. Yet he afterward mingled with the disciples as though innocent of any wrong, and interested in the work of preparing for the feast. The disciples knew nothing of the purpose of Judas. Jesus alone could read his secret. Yet He did not expose him. Jesus hungered for his soul. He felt for him such a burden as for Jerusalem when He wept over the doomed city. His heart was crying, How can I give thee up? The constraining power of that love was felt by Judas. When the Saviour’s hands were bathing those soiled feet, and wiping them with the towel, the heart of Judas thrilled through and through with the impulse then and there to confess his sin. But he would not humble himself.”—Ibid., p. 645.
Thu,
Jul 24
5. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FEET WASHING
a. With this act, what does Jesus really desire to do? John 13:8 (last part).
“By the act of our Lord this humiliating ceremony was made a consecrated ordinance. It was to be observed by the disciples, that they might ever keep in mind His lessons of humility and service.
“This ordinance is Christ’s appointed preparation for the sacramental service. While pride, variance, and strife for supremacy are cherished, the heart cannot enter into fellowship with Christ. We are not prepared to receive the communion of His body and His blood. Therefore it was that Jesus appointed the memorial of His humiliation to be first observed.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 650.
b. What significant words did Jesus pronounce after the feet-washing ceremony—and what should this bring to our minds during our observance of this? John 13:12–17.
“We are fallible, and have erred many times. Let us return to the Lord with repentance and confession. As we assemble to participate in the ordinances of the Lord’s house, let us make every wrong right, so far as lies in our power. When bowing before a brother, washing his feet, ask yourself, ‘Have I aught in my heart that separates me from this brother? Have I said or done anything that estranges us?’ If so, take it away by heartily confessing your sin. Thus heart will be cemented to heart, and the blessing of God will be manifest.”—Reflecting Christ, p. 283.
Fri,
Jul 25
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Explain the contrast between the heavenly attitude and that of earth.
2. If I refuse to wash my brother’s feet, what am I actually refusing?
3. How is the inner experience of Judas a warning to me?
4. Explain how Christ transformed the attitude of the disciples.
5. What is the purpose and significance of the feet-washing ceremony?