How We Love His Example Series

OH HOW WE LOVE HIS EXAMPLE

John 13:1-17

Introduction

As disciples of Jesus Christ, the most powerful thing we can do to influence the world is to follow His example of humble service. John 13 is Jesus’ call to a life of loving and serving others. John 13:1 gives us some insight into what Jesus is thinking. It is Passover - a remembrance of the tenth plague, where God’s faithful people were saved by the blood of the lamb on the doorpost of their home. It is time for the cross “his hour had come” - Chapters 13-16 record Christ’s “Upper Room” ministry as he prepared them for His death and the work they would do after His ascension. He is going to return to His father. He loves these disciples that have followed him. He loved them “to the end” (ESV) AMPC: "He loved them to the last and to the highest degree."

Jesus’ actions in this chapter are unexpected and shocking! It is one of his most profound teachings on love and service. The disciples needed the love of Christ to see them through the difficult trials ahead. Our text offers a beautiful example of humble service followed by an explanation that challenges us.

How can we follow the example of Jesus, the humble servant? What can we learn about what it means to be a disciple that is a humble servant of Jesus Christ?

1. Serving Is Often Inconvenient

John 13:1a Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father,

His hour had come (5 times previously, ‘not come’). This is the most inconvenient time ever for Jesus. When have we let time and inconvenience keep us from serving others?

2. Serving Springs From Our Love for God

John 13:1b having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The motive for moving beyond all the barriers to service is love. Jesus gave himself and all he had for those he loved. Jesus rooted his actions in two aspects of love. Love for those who were in the world with him. Love for his father to whom he was returning. Notice that his love is not based on how wonderful the disciples are? The world may label some people as unlovable, but when we see them as made in the image of God, we can serve in love. “The Christ in me sees the Christ in you and I Love You.”

3. Serve When Others May Not Deserve It

John 13:2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him...

If Jesus were washing the feet of really nice and devoted disciples, that would be one thing. John offers this haunting appraisal of Judas, “the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas…to betray him.” Although that is striking, the truth is that Jesus has served every one of us - and none of us deserved it. We are in that company all of us sinners who need saving.

Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

The cross: the ultimate expression of His love. It is a testimony to our inability to save ourselves. It is a testimony to His love for us. God comes to us in our state of helplessness. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

4. Serving Is Focused on the Needs of Others

John 13:3-5 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that 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.

Jesus is Lord, King, Son of God! This is work for Gentile slaves! Yet he takes no regard for his power, his ability. We may not think of ourselves as people of power and position - but have we overlooked others who needed our help because they were not in the same category / social status / ability as we are? The big question is not ‘can I lower myself to serve’, the big question is ‘what are the needs that I can help meet?’

5. Serving Requires Setting Aside Pride

John 13:6-11 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”