Let us read JOHN 13:1-7
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
God, bless your word today that every word will be a seed that will grow in our hearts, we rebuke the lies and works of the enemy, anoint thy servant as she speaks your word, cover me at the back of your cross. Move in every heart and let it be than we will be a servant that always honor you all days of our lives. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen and Amen.
Main Q.: What did Jesus do as a servant?
Who is Jesus?
Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus openly presents himself as the divine Son of God.
We will highlight in the next discussion about who is Jesus as a servant described in John 13.
There are just 3 things that I will be sharing to you tonight. And we will highlight the acts of Jesus as a servant and his message to his disciples as a servant.
1. JESUS AS THE LOVING SERVANT
Verse1-2 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
A. Jesus selfless love
- During the Passover festival Jesus exactly discerned what was in the heart of Judas at that moment of time. But still Jesus showed his selfless genuine love to them.
- Jesus knew that Judas already sold him with a money worth 30 pieces of Silver and betrayed him.
And despite of all the things that He knew, He chose to deal with them with pure and genuine love.
· Jesus acknowledge his disciples as his own.
· They were His own because He chose them.
· They were His own because He gave Himself to them.
· They were His own because His Father gave them to Him.
· They were His own because He would soon purchase them.
As a loving servant Jesus did a self - denial of his identity.
B. Jesus Self Denial of Identity.
v 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
- And this time Jesus knew this time that his public ministry is over. He is putting off his identity and began to serve. But the disciple didn’t know that the greatest service that he will do is that, Jesus would soon be hang on the cross.
- His disciples didn’t know that it was his last and Jesus used these last precious hours to serve and prepare His disciples.
What Jesus did? He did an extreme act of Servanthood.
2. JESUS EXTREME ACT OF SERVANTHOOD
5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
a. JESUS WASHING THE DISCIPLES FEET
Jesus arose from the table, laid aside His garments (the outer ones) took a towel, girded Himself, poured water in a basin, and began to wash and dry the disciples’ feet. You know what, Washing feet was an act of hospitality in that land where people generally traveled by foot, wearing sandals, walking in hot, dusty sand. Washing the feet of visitors was done to comfort guests, meet their needs, and welcome them. It was often done by servants and was considered a menial task.[1]
- Jesus took upon Himself the humblest of duties, generally left to a servant.
- Jesus didn’t think about the torture of the cross but he thinks about His love for them (disciples)
B. JESUS DEMONSTRATED THE TRUE ACT OF SERVICE.
- Jesus knew that the disciples were arguing about who is the greatest?
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:46)
- Jesus knew that their heart is full of pride and they don’t want to serve each other.
- Take note, They just want a title or position but they don’t want to serve.
- Mark 10:44-45 and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
This is the time that more than telling what is true service, Jesus demonstrated it in front of them.
What is Jesus message to his Disciples?
3. JESUS DEEPER MESSAGE TO HIS DISCIPLES
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
A. There is more than just washing of the disciple’s feet.
- Jesus sought to emphasize a deeper lesson they should learn. He reminded them that He was the teacher and the Master. The servant is not greater than the Master. So, if the Master washed their feet, they should wash one another’s feet.
- Jesus wanted to teach the proud and arguing disciples about true humility in service.
- He didn’t just say it but He showed it to them.
B. Jesus came to serve and to saved
- Jesus at this time knew that He will die for them to saved them.
- He knows that He is about to go to the cross and suffer for their sins.
Therefore, Jesus emphasizes that a true servant is the one who;
1. Serve out of Love.
- Jesus is simply teaching us to give out our service out of love.
- Serve even in the moments of betrayal because that is where your true service will be tested.
- Jesus was able to wash the feet of his betrayer because his love for them is greater than what he knows about them and this is what true service means.
· Even in what profession you are in.
· In your family – as a husband/wife/a daughter or a son
· In the Ministry
· In the work
· In doing your business
· Even if you are still a student
· It takes a genuine heart and a genuine love to serve.
No matter how good or how knowledgeable a person is, if he is serving without love he is nothing.
2. Serve out of humility
- Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.
Philippians 2:3
- As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, he was demonstrating an extreme act of servanthood. The moment that he prepared the basin and the towel he just did it without any word, without asking any assistance from his disciples who were in the room. In this we will realize that in serving, we don’t want to tell anyone that we are serving. We don’t have to let the people acknowledge us but we just serve out of humility knowing that our true master in heaven sees everything. He sees our hearts.
- If you can’t get a “Great job” from the church, from your school, from your company, or from other people. Know that while you are serving, God is telling you “Great job my Child
- Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31
3. Serve selflessly
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
· This means that when we serve, we serve selflessly. Taking away every pride in us. We are after the towel more than being after the title.
I would end this sermon with a question that I will give you.
I won’t condemn you; I won’t evaluate you one by one. But tonight, what is it that God is speaking to you?
What specific talents or gifts that God has given you that you can use in serving?
In what field did God placed you?
How are you using your gifts and talents to serve others?
Remember to serve with towels not serve because of titles.
After hearing all of these, asked God to help you. Asked God to enable you.
Just like the disciple of Jesus, you may not realize what is true service, today let us allow the Lord to wash us and cleanse us. For us to be able to serve just like JESUS .
Prayer: God, tonight we come to you today, humbling ourselves as your servant. Search our hearts Oh God. Amen.