John 13:1-17
Introduction:
1. Our passage is set the night before the crucifixion, preparing for the Passover.
2. At the time, the twelve were jockeying for position in the kingdom, prompting Jesus to denounce such power struggles and redefine greatness (Luke 22:24-30).
Discussion:
I. Leading By Example
A. Jesus moved from teaching to training in John’s text; it is better to show than to tell.
B. His love and humility in this scene demand we follow suit (John 13:14-17; 1 John 3:16-18).
II. The Scope of His Love
A. Unconditional Love: neither betrayal nor denial by His disciples kept Him from serving them.
1. Though Judas would betray Him, He still washed his feet (John 13:2, 11, 26-27).
2. The same is true of the others who would deny Him (John 13:36-38; Matthew 26:31).
B. Condescending (in the good sense) love.
1. Condescend= “to put aside one’s dignity or superiority voluntarily and assume equality with one regarded as inferior” (Dictionary.com); “to waive the privileges of rank” (Webster).
2. Jesus was well aware of His position and theirs (John 13:3, 13-16; cf. 5:22-27).
3. Yet, He forfeited His standing for the sake of His inferiors (cf. Philippians 2:5-11).
4. The King interrupted His own supper to wash His subjects’ dirty feet (vv. 2-5).
5. Peter understood this was culturally backward (vs. 6).
C. Active love: “he arose from supper…”
1. What a powerful example to pause His meal to serve them (vv. 2, 4, 12, 26-27).
2. This was culturally beneath them all, but Jesus showed His love in this humble act.
III. Serving Like Our King
A. How could a disciple of the servant King not live as a servant of others?
B. To do so is to elevate one’s self above his/her Master (vv. 12-16; Matthew 10:24).
C. Jesus washing feet leaves no excuse for self-elevation (cf. 1 Peter 5:5-6; Romans 12:10, 16).
D. True discipleship demands we love one another as He loved us (John 13:34-35).
Conclusion:
1. In a woefully selfish society, such ideas seem like utter nonsense.
2. All who call for equality need to be introduced to true Christianity (James 1:9-11, 27; 21-13).
3. May we serve like our King so that the world sees the Christ in us (Matthew 5:13-16).
Further Food for Thought
1. Look around this assembly and be honest with yourself, would you wash the feet of the people you see right now if that command was active today?
2. If not, why not?
3. If so, in what ways should you and I better live out these principles?
4. What acts of service do you find “a bridge too far” in your service to Christ?