Welcome to the Defender Bible Study, a weekly encouragement to equip the body of Christ through the study of scripture and prayer to manifest the gospel to orphans and vulnerable children around the world. This podcast is a ministry of Lifeline Children's Services where we believe that defending the fatherless begins by being rooted in God's word. It's 05/05/2025, and I'm coming to you Birmingham, Alabama. Well, today, we continue our study on the gospel of John, and specifically, we are looking at John chapter thirteen one through 30, the gospel in the upper room. And so what does it look like when no one is watching?

What does our life look like when we are in private or we are left to our own thoughts in our own head about the people and the things around us? What does love look like at the end of the day when we're exhausted, overwhelmed by the brokenness, burdened by the the piles of work that we're doing or or even for those of us in the helping professions when we're overwhelmed by the the brokenness and and burdened by the brokenness of the moms and dads and children that are around us. Do we choose to show love anyway? You see in John 13, we find ourselves in the upper room. Jesus knows his hour has come.

The cross is looming. The weight of betrayal is already on the table and yet what we see is not panic or pride or posturing but love. John thirteen one tells us, having loved his own who are in the world, he loved them to the end. This is not just the intro to a meal, it's the foundation of our ministry. What Jesus does in the next 30 verses is not only picture of the gospel we proclaim, it is a model of the gospel we must live.

You see, as a ministry, we step into dark, broken, weary places. We love families that are hard to love. We serve when it's costly. We weep when reunification fails and we rejoice when healing comes. And this passage reminds us that Jesus went before us in all of it.

And he calls us not to a position but to a basin and to a towel. John chapter 13 marks a turning point in Jesus' earthly ministry. You see, his public ministry was now complete and Jesus turns his full attention to his disciples in a deeply personal and intimate setting, the upper room. Knowing that his hour has come, Jesus models the depth of his love by performing the humblest act of service, washing his disciples' feet. This act is both symbolic and instructive, pointing to the spiritual cleansing that he alone provides and the servant hearted posture he commands us, his followers, to take.

In this chapter, we see Jesus love to the very end, not just in word but in action. We see the shocking grace of a savior stooping to serve and the painful foreshadowing of betrayal by one who shared his bread. It's a chapter of compassion, confrontation, but also a chapter of commissioning. Jesus is preparing his disciples and by extension us. Not merely for his departure, but for the kind of ministry that reflects his heart.

Humble, sacrificial, and full of grace and truth. So with that, let's look at John chapter 13 verses one through 30. Now before the feast of 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 till the end. During supper, when the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the father had given all things into his hand and he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments and taking a towel tied it around his waist.

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. He came to Simon Peter who said to him, Lord, do you wash my feet? And Jesus answered him, what I am doing, you do not understand now, but afterwards, you will understand. And Peter said to him, you shall never wash my feet but Jesus answered him, if I do not wash you, you will have no share with me and Simon Peter said to him, lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, the one who is bathed does not need to wash except for his feet but is completely clean and you are clean but not everyone of you.

For he knew who was to betray him. That was why he said it, not all of you are clean. When he had washed their feet and put on his garments and resumed his place, he said to them, do you understand what I have done for you? You call me teacher and lord and you are right for so I am. 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 that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen.

But the scripture will be fulfilled. He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me. I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place, you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me resend receives the one who sent me. After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit and he testified, truly, truly I say to you, one of you will betray me and the disciples looked at one another uncertain of whom he spoke.

One of his disciples whom Jesus loved, that being John, was reclining at the table at Jesus' side. So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple leaning back against Jesus said to him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, it is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it. So when he dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him and Jesus said to him, what you are going to do, do quickly. Now, no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that because Jesus, Judas had the money bag, Jesus was telling him, buy what we need for the feast or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out and it was night. Father god, we thank you for your word.

It is powerful. It is active and even this intimate moment that you experience with your disciples is meant for something good. It's meant for our good and your glory. And so Lord may we model what you show us here in this passage. It's in your great name that we pray.

The name of Jesus, amen. Well, as we look at this passage, four ways that Jesus models for his followers, the humility and service of a godward life, a life that reflects the lord. First, Jesus loves to the end and we see this in the first five verses. It says, even in verse one, it says, now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour has come, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them what? To the end.

Jesus knew the cross was before him yet his heart is not preoccupied with self preservation. No, he bends down to wash the feet of his disciples including Judas. This kind of love is not sentimental. It's steadfast. It's gritty.

It stoops low even for those who you know will reject you, who are breathing threats against you, and who will ultimately betray you multiple times. Roman five eight reminds us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus serves not because of the merit or the loyalty or the pedigree of his followers. He doesn't love them because they all see truth and speak truth. No, Jesus sees our loving humility.

He serves out of his loving humility to the father and for others. I love what pastor John Piper says. He says, love to the end means love that is willing to wash feet even in the shadow of the cross. This is not love that needs reciprocation. This is sovereign sacrificial, self emptying love.

Beloved, this is the kind of love vulnerable children, women, and families need. We we walk into broken places not to fix, but to serve, to kneel, to enter into the stories of brokenness with a towel of grace. Gospel ministry starts with a basin and a towel in our hands, not the spotlight, recognition, or glory. But the second way that Jesus models for his followers, the humility and the service of a godward life. Is that Jesus serves with powerful and purposeful humility.

You see, verse three tells us that Jesus knew that the father had given all things into his hands. Yet, what does he do with that authority? All things had been given to the authority of Jesus. All things. And yet, what we see him do?

Loving us and loving his followers to the very end. Yes. Jesus doesn't take that authority and flaunt that authority even though he had every right to do so. No. He kneels.

He washes. The one who had all power chose the path of humility. In Philippians two three through eight reminds us, do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourself which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with god a thing to be grasped but he emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man and being found in human form.

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. John Stott reflects on this verse when he says, greatness in the kingdom of god is not measured by status but by service. It's not how high we rise but how low we are willing to stoop. Beloved, the ministry of Lifeline is not just about policy or funding or programs but it's about Christ like humility. Rather in the counseling room with birth mothers, advocating for adopted families, or serving children with trauma.

We follow Jesus. When we lay down our rights and we serve with inexplicable joy. In life and ministry, we aren't always going to be the one calling the shots or making the decisions. But we can have, we with the spirit's help can be able to choose service over privilege, kindness over complaining, and love for others over love for self. But that brings us to the third way that Jesus models for his followers, the humility and service of a godward life and that is that Jesus reflects the love of the father by his love for others.

You see, after washing their feet, Jesus says, I have given you an example. You also should do just as I have done to you. This is not optional for believers. It's the very shape of discipleship. Galatians five thirteen to 15 says, you were called to freedom brothers, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity through the flesh but through love serve one another for the whole law is fulfilled in one word.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. My dear friend and pastor David Platt says, every follower of Jesus is called to serve not because people deserve it but because he did it first. That's what we see in Matthew 22 verses 33, 30 five to 39. It says, one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law? And he said to them, you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment but then verse 39, and a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. You see, beloved, true love for God is expressed in the way that we love our neighbor. True love for God is expressed in the way that we love one another.

We love one another by the way that we love God. The way we love one another is a true picture, a true reflection of the love that we have for the father. And so our teams don't just build programs. We embodiment we embody gospel love. When we model patient compassion to weary foster families, When we counsel a scared expectant mom.

When we treat our coworkers with gentleness. This is the gospel lived out. This is the gospel with skin on. That brings us to the fourth and final way that we see in this passage. Jesus modeling for his followers the humility and service of a godward life and that is that Jesus loved even his betrayer expecting nothing in return.

You see, Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, yet he washed his feet. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and yet he broke bread with him. Jesus knew Judas would betray him and yet he extended an opportunity for repentance. Jesus here models love that persist even when rejected. That's why Jesus said elsewhere in in the gospel of Luke as Luke records in Luke chapter six verse 27 to 25, but I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. And from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you. And from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so for them.

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?

Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. But love your enemies and do good and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the high for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Beloved, why is it so hard to love our enemy? Why is it so hard to to love the ones that betray us? I remember when my son Caleb was much younger, him saying something to the effect of I would so much rather forgive someone for hurting me physically than to forgive someone for saying something mean about me or to me.

You see, beloved, we care for our reputation and social standing many more times more than we do our physical pain. It's hard to love and serve someone who has mocked us, disagreed with us, lied about us, or even betrayed us. But Romans twelve twenty says, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing so, you will heat burning coals on his head.

RC Spruell says, the measure of love is not how we treat our friends but how we respond to our enemies. And Jesus sets the ultimate example with Judas. Beloved, not every story ends in healing or gratitude. Judas' story ended with 30 pieces of of silver, potter's field, and him hanging by a tree. But our calling is not conditioned by response.

No, we are faithful not because others are worthy but we're faithful because Jesus is worthy. And that's how we serve the birth parent who walks away. That's how we continue to love our child who's been hardened by trauma. We treat them both with persevering grace. So, in closing, how do we respond to this passage?

First, we love unconditionally. There will be hard days. Families will walk away. Birth moms will carry deep trauma. Systems will frustrate us but Jesus love to the end.

Not based on how his disciples would perform but because love is who he is. So, we love even when it's not reciprocated, even when it's inconvenient, and even when it hurts but then we serve humbly. Jesus washed the feet of the man who would betray him. He modeled a kind of leadership that looks like lowering yourself for the good of others. So we serve with joy not for applause.

We put others first in the counseling room. We put others first in adoption planning. We put others first in advocacy meetings because Jesus put us first at the cross. But then third, we prioritize others. Jesus made it clear, foot washing wasn't just about hygiene.

It pointed to our need for spiritual renewal. So we don't just do good, we do the gospel. We live it out. We meet tangible needs. Yes.

But we always point to the greater cleansing that only Jesus can give through his death, his burial, and his resurrection. Every conversation, every intake, every home visit is a chance to point someone to Christ Jesus. But then fourth, we trust God's sovereignty. Even betrayal did not derail Jesus. God's plan marched forward right through pain, right through sin, right to redemption.

God's sovereignty led Jesus to the cross. It led him to be tortured. It led him to die. And it also brought that beautiful Easter morning when on that Sunday, the first day of the week, Jesus exploded out of the grave, defeating death and sin and its power over us. So, beloved, keep going.

We don't quit when life is hard or the need feels too great, but we trust that God is still working. He is still sovereign and he's still writing stories of rescue. Beloved, because Jesus loved us to the end, we can love others with everything that we have. Thank you for joining us for the Defender Bible Study. This week, we are praying for Eurasia, for our orphan care projects in Eurasia, but also for our adoption projects in Eurasia.

So join me as we go to the father on behalf of Eurasia. Father god, we pray for our US team, for Brianna and Caroline and Timmy Ann and Jordan and Ashland. We pray that they would be detail oriented and efficient and gospel driven in everything that they do with adoption. Father, we also pray for our adoption partners in Hungary and Bulgaria and North Macedonia and Kyrgyzstan and Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. We pray for good communication from our team and that they would be good advocates for our families and our waiting children.

Lord, we also continue to pray for the church in Hungary and Bulgaria and Kyrgyzstan and Poland and Romania and Ukraine as as the church continues to care for orphans and vulnerable children. God, continue to give Madison and Europe the opportunities for gospel advancement in Romania and throughout the region of Eurasia to truly equip the church to care for orphans and vulnerable children, to show orphans and vulnerable children the grace of Jesus and the glory of God. Father, we pray for the children. We pray for the children in Eurasia. We pray that that you would help us to advocate for these children well.

We pray that where there needs to be matches, the children will be matched with families. We we pray for the caregivers who are currently caring for these children both in orphanages and in foster homes. Would you give them grace? Would you give them wisdom? Specifically for our adoption programs, we ask that the families waiting be matched with children in each of our Eurasia programs.

We we pray for the families who are preparing to travel in the coming weeks and months. We pray that their time in country would be a delight, that they would bond well with their children, but also, Lord God, that they would be a minister to those in those nations. We pray pray for our post adoptive families who are struggling. We pray that they would be surrounded by positive encouragement and resources. But lord, we also pray that more families would answer the call to adopt from Eurasia.

Lord, that right now, even as you are pricking the hearts and the minds of those who have been called to adopt, would you lead them to adopt from Eurasia? Would you lead them to be faithful, to be a family who would provide a home for a child in need? Oh god, we love you. We praise you and we ask on behalf of these nations in Eurasia knowing that you made the people there in your image and you care more than we ever could. So God, would you serve them?

Would you work in the hearts and the minds of the children, the families, the vulnerable in these nations? It's in your great name that we pray the name of Jesus Christ, our savior and lord. Amen. Thanks again for joining us for the Defender Bible Study. If you enjoy making this podcast a part of your weekly routine, we'd love for you to take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the Defender Bible Study to make it easier for more people to find.

For more resources and information on how you and your church can partner with Lifeline, please visit us at lifelinechild.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by searching for Lifeline Child. You can email us directly at info@lifelinechild.org. We look forward to seeing you again next week for the Defender Bible Study.