The Confirmation in the Instance of One Person
"I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me." John 13:18
le. There is a difference among men. This is true even among the group to whom He is now speaking.
"I speak not of you all."
2e. The determining factor is the choice of the Lord.. Only those whom He has chosen will follow Him completely.
"I know whom I have chosen (Elected)."
3e. The Scripture is thus fulfilled again. It is thus proven to be infallibly correct. cf. Psa. 41:9
"But that the Scripture may be fulfilled."
4e. Deception is the method used by the enemy. The most intimate friend turns out to be a deadly enemy.
"He that eateth bread with me."
Outward appearance for a time may cover the truth.
5e. Sooner or later unchanged character will show itself. Judas finally found opportunity to betray Christ.
"Hath lifted up his heel against me."
Notes: The meaning of
this statement:
1. The feetwashing service is a symbolic service pointing to the
ever-cleansing ministry of Christ by the Word. In itself the service is not by
any means efficacious in the life of any believer.2. The following of this command of the Lord, however, is evidence that the believer takes the Word of God seriously and recognizes its clear teaching and its absolute authority.
3. This in turn is evidence of a character that has been removed by the operation of new birth, and is therefore subject to the Lord and His Word.
4. It is further evidence that such a saint is being consistently and continuously cleansed by the washing of water in the Word. By this means the believer is kept in warm and personal intimacy with the Lord.
5. Those who continuously reject the clear teaching of this portion of the Word and refuse to obey the One Who gave it, are apt to be those who minimize the authority of the Word elsewhere and therefore fail to realize the full cleansing power of the Word.
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