Tag: Bible

ROAD TO REDEMPTION

Posted on by larry.lundstrom in Design

Road to Redemption — PeteR

John 13:1–17 (ESV)

13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”
11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Key Truths

Peter struggled to see, hear and understand Jesus’ plan. Why?
His own pride.

“Lord, do you wash my feet?”
“You shall never wash my feet.”
—John 13:5-8

Redemption Can Begin WHEN we STOP resisting, And start trusting.

The Road to Redemption is Marked by humility and obedience.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet… For I have given you an example…”
—John 13:12–17

We can trust God’s greater plan. Peter’s Redemption became a platform for multiplication.

EXTRA Research

Greek Word Insights

  • Agapáō – “Loved” (John 13:1)
    Meaning: Divine, sacrificial love.
    Significance: Jesus loved His disciples to the fullest extent, pointing to the cross.
  • Ekdýō – “Took off” (John 13:4)
    Meaning: To lay aside or strip off.
    Significance: Jesus laid aside His privileges to serve and ultimately to die.
  • Niptō / Louō – “Wash” (John 13:5, 10)
    • Niptō: To wash part of the body (feet, hands).
    • Louō: To wash the entire body.
      Significance: Salvation is a one-time cleansing (louō), but we need ongoing sanctification (niptō).
  • Doulos – “Bondservant” (John 13:16)
    Meaning: One who belongs entirely to their master.
    Significance: Jesus calls us to full surrender, not part-time service.
  • Makarios – “Blessed” (John 13:17)
    Meaning: Deep spiritual joy.
    Significance: The joy of obedience flows not from knowing, but from doing.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I resisting Jesus’ work in my life?

  • Where in my life am I holding on to control rather than surrendering to Christ?
  • Are there specific areas—habits, relationships, ambitions—where I sense conviction but still delay obedience?
  • What excuses or fears do I use to justify staying where I am instead of stepping into transformation?
  • How might I be mistaking comfort for peace, or routine for faithfulness?

📝 Consider writing down what you sense Jesus inviting you into—and what it might cost you to say yes.

2. What does humility look like in my leadership or relationships?

  • Do I listen more than I speak? Am I willing to be wrong?
  • How do I handle criticism, correction, or someone else’s success?
  • In what ways do I serve others without expecting recognition or reward?
  • Am I more focused on building people up or building my platform?

📝 Reflect on someone who models Christlike humility. What can I learn from them? What’s one practical shift I could make this week to lead more like Jesus?

3. Who needs to see the love of Christ through my service?

  • Who in my life is overlooked, hurting, or burdened—and how can I tangibly show up for them?
  • Am I willing to inconvenience myself for the sake of someone else’s healing, hope, or joy?
  • Are there people I avoid serving because of past hurts, differences, or discomfort?
  • How might God be asking me to love beyond my comfort zone?

📝 Make a list of names—people in your circle, your community, your church—then ask God: “Who needs to experience Your love through me today?”

Sermon — Watch or Listen