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Stooping To A Higher Level
John 13:1-17
Do
you value progress?
Do you like to make progress? I do.
I would venture that most of us do. We like to be better. We like to get
ahead. It shows that we are moving. We are learning. We are becoming
smarter and more skillful. And as a result, we can move up the ladder
with more responsibility.
Our desire for progress is also a challenge to our priorities.
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s Hamburgers is the only founder among
America’s big companies whose picture in the corporate annual report
shows him wielding a mop and a plastic bucket. That wasn’t a gag either,
it was done intentionally so that he could lead by example. At Wendy’s
an MBA does not mean a “Master of Business Administration,” it means
“Mop Bucket Attitude!” Service at the lowest levels makes for great
success.
In today’ story, Jesus places Himself in contrast to the disciples who
are looking for places of honor and recognition (cf. Matthew 20:21-22;
Luke 22:24).
The texts that we are about to read determine some of the context of
what was going on as Jesus entered into what apparently would be the
last day of his life.
In Matthew 20…
"What is it you want?" he asked. She (the mother of James and John)
said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right
and the other at your left in your kingdom." "You don’t know what you
are asking," Jesus said to them (James and John). "Can you drink the cup
I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.
In Luke 22, in the upper room, the context of today’s passage, it says…
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be
greatest.
We have no idea of how the dispute arose. Perhaps there was a snide
comment, and the bickering began. All of sudden, there was level-nine
squabble.
But Jesus was about to teach them that the kingdom of heaven works on a
different principle. The disciples thought that being the greatest was
the goal. Sitting at the places of power next to Jesus was the goal.
Instead, Jesus demonstrates that they are missing the whole thing. The
way you raise your level of authority is to stoop to serve.
This is what Jesus shows us. Jesus knew His identity yet served with
humility.
But how? How do we follow His example?
We will find in John 13:1-17 four concerns that Jesus demonstrates in
order to serve with humility. They are concerns that we need to have in
order to serve with humility.
I. The first concern that we must have in order to serve with humility
is about OUR SELF (1-3).
(1) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had
come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his
own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his
love. (2) The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already
prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, 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…
Jesus knew …where He came from
Jesus had came from the glories of heaven. He had left glory. He had
left the best place in the universe to come to earth. He had left the
fellowship of the best relationship there existed in the universe. But,
note this: He left deliberately.
Second, Jesus knew… who He was
Jesus knew that He was the Son of God. This was absolutely confirmed to
Him when John baptized Him. The Father spoke, “This is my beloved Son in
whom I am well pleased.” It was then Jesus absolutely knew who He was.
He was the Messiah that had come to rescue His people from their sin.
Third, Jesus knew…where He was going
He had not left heaven for no reason. He was going to perform the
ultimate act of service.
He was going to the cross.
And though Jesus knew all these things He possessed a quiet majesty,
characterized by love.
I have to wonder what the scene looked like to Jesus. He is going to the
cross. He is about to suffer. And what are these disciples doing? They
are arguing about who is the greatest! These guys were never going to
get it right!
I wonder if Jesus thought, “They just don’t get it.” I wonder if He
thought to withdraw and go sit off in a corner.
But we know He doesn’t do that. He chose to love these men in spite of
the circumstances.
How about you? Is there a “quiet majesty” about you because you know
your identity? For if you are a believer today, you know who you are.
You are a child of the Father. You know where you came from. You were
born into this family through the Spirit. And you know where you are
going. You are destined to spend eternity in fellowship with Him. You
know your identity. You know your self.
The second concern that we must have in order to serve with humility is
about OUR PLACE (4-8).
(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." (8)
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered,
"Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
Jesus dared to stoop to a level that the disciples were unwilling to go.
Jesus washes their feet. This was a menial task that was reserved for
servants only. For any person to do this would be admitting defeat about
who was the greatest. You see, they had all been jockeying for position
around the table. And the person who was the greatest, is down on His
knees. And He washes dirty, grimy feet. Jesus washes 24 stinky feet and
12 proud hearts.
It must have stunned the disciples. I imagine that as they were arguing,
Jesus calmly takes off his outer clothing, strips to his undergarment,
grabs the towel and basin, and goes over to Thomas, kneels, gently takes
his foot, and begins to wash. And there was silence. All the
commotion…all the bickering…all the argument disappears. And they are
speechless.
Until Jesus gets to Peter… As Jesus gets to Peter, he literally responds
this way, “Absolutely never will you wash my feet for eternity!” “You
will by no means ever wash my feet!” “No way…ever!”
But Jesus will wash Peter’s feet. You see Jesus challenged Peter’s
pride, who was unwilling to serve or be served.
What a character this Peter is, for in the same instance he proclaims
his unworthiness to be washed, he suggests that Jesus was making a
mistake. Impetuous Peter, he knows better than the Lord what was right?
So much for humility! Peter had a problem that most of us have. We have
a problem seeing the way God does. And Jesus does what He has to in this
circumstance. He puts Peter in his place.
Peter was humbled, He had to be washed according to Jesus, because he
had a need.
The third concern that we must have in order to serve with humility is
about OUR NEED (9-11).
(9) "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands
and my head as well!" (10) Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath
needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean,
though not every one of you." (11) For he knew who was going to betray
him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
Jesus demonstrated their need to be clean.
Peter had said that he didn’t need Jesus to wash anything, but now he
changes his tune. Jesus can wash everything. Jesus, though has a
different idea in mind and turns this into a lesson about spiritual
truth. It is as if Jesus said, “Peter, all of you, you need your sins
washed!” Their need was spiritual cleansing, not physical cleansing.
Their arguing and bickering showed that their hearts were dirty, but
Jesus, as He washes their feet, forgives them and washes their heart
clean.
Except for Judas…But Jesus has not given up on Judas.
Jesus’ love is so strong that He fights to the end for the deliverance
of Judas. Betrayal was in the air. Judas was going to stab him in the
back. He was going to sell out Jesus for some pieces of silver. And
Jesus knows. He knows it quite well. Yet, it was never too late for
Judas. He could turn around his own betrayal.
The French constable Javert, in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, is one of
the most tragic figures in all of literature. Armed with a rigid code of
right and wrong, Javert is in near-lifelong pursuit of a released
convict, Jean Valjean. Javert is convinced that he works for the Lord.
Valjean eludes Javert’s grasp time and time again. In a turnabout near
the end of the book, Valjean has the opportunity to kill his antagonist,
but lets him go. This mercy shatters Javert’s code. The mercy of Valjean
threatens his control. He cannot receive such mercy. So he throws
himself into the Seine River.
Javert is a picture of Judas. For all the while, Jesus fights for him.
He loves His enemy. He loves His betrayer. And He washes his feet. Yet,
Judas will still reject Him.
The fourth concern that we must have in order to serve with humility is
about OUR RESPONSIBILITY (12-17).
(12) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and
returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he
asked them. (13) "You call me `Teacher’ and `Lord,’ and rightly so, for
that is what I am. (14) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed
your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (15) I have set you
an example that you should do as I have done for you. (16) I tell you
the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger
greater than the one who sent him. (17) Now that you know these things,
you will be blessed if you do them.
Jesus encouraged their understanding to become an undertaking.
Remember, love is not some emotion. Love is an act of commitment. Love
acts. And Jesus sets the example. He got up…an action. He took off his
outer clothing…an action. He wrapped a towel…an action. He poured water
into a basin…an action. And He washed their feet…an action.
And here is the lesson: Belief changes your behavior. You act on what
you belief. Understanding becomes an undertaking.
Now Jesus doesn’t demonstrate this to keep us busy. No. Jesus sets this
example for us for our own benefit.
Jesus’ ultimate desire for us is to live a life of joy.
This is what works! The way up is down. It doesn’t make sense according
to the world standards. But in God’s economy, it is the way. It is the
way to joy.
Those who are not afraid to do small things for God will eventually be
used by God to do great things!
APPLICATION:
Jesus willingly removed his kingly robes and came to earth, taking the
role of a servant. In the process, He identified with the needs of those
He came to serve.
Jesus lowered Himself to our level so that He could lift us up to His.
The path of greatness in the Kingdom of God is not worldly recognition
or the applause of men, but it is having the attitude of service. It is
simply in being a servant.
It is time to follow Jesus example, and touch the hearts around us with
an attitude of service.
We know that we live in a society where “I” takes precedence. We don’t
have to look far to see it. With all the instances of “road rage,”
people pushing to the front of the line, littering, and the refusal to
do one’s work. We are filled with doing what we want. And we are filled
with proving my rights over yours.
But as Christians, we must be different than this (for we are not always
that different). If we are going to be lighthouses, we must become
channels of God’s love as we reach out with simple acts of kindness. For
kind acts can sway people to Christ. Kind acts can say so much more than
our words.
You can…
…offer to care for a pet of vacationing neighbors
…loan a helpful gardening tool
…organize a block party
…help a neighbor with lawn cleanup or shovel snow
…provide childcare
…pick up trash in the neighborhood
…give clothing
…go for a walk with a neighbor
…give away food from your garden
…help coworker with task
…assist a classmate with an assignment
And the list could go on and on…
Jesus knew His identity and yet served with humility.
So can you.
Know your self…you are a child of the Heavenly Father, born into this
family by the Spirit of God, destined to spend eternity with Him…so
rejoice in this knowledge;
Know your place…we always seem to strive to be on top, but God’s way to
the top starts at the bottom, ready to be humbly served with a needed
cleansing and then, serving, offering the cleansing to others;
Know your responsibility…don’t just believe in love, but offer it; don’t
just understand service, rather, make service an undertaking; dare to
care as Jesus did for us.
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