John 13:21-38 | What's a lesson for the original audience?

A major lesson that is spoken of very clear in this text is to look upon how Jesus conducted Himself and to do likewise. This is a command that is instructed all throughout Scripture and specifically in the New Testament. Paul shares it in passages like this:

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
-Ephesians 5:1-2

Peter speaks of it in repeating what is written in the Old Testament:

15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
-1 Peter 1:15-16

And look at the amount of times John encourages this type of behavior in his first epistle.

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
-1 John 1:7

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
-1 John 2:6

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
-1 John 3:3

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:16

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:17

This was a very common theme among the original audience, just as it is to us today. They were instructed by Jesus to look upon His works that they would know how to work. They were told to look upon His example of love that they would know how to love. The biblical writers got that. So they instructed it as well. And what are they too look at in this particular passage? They are to see Christ's example of humility, servanthood, and love. Similarly then, they are to take those same virtues upon themselves. They are to not exalt themselves, seek to be served, and avoid love. They are to imitate Christ.

What lesson are you seeing?