Living Parable Of Servanthood

A LIVING PARABLE OF SERVANTHOOD 10/22/00p RRC

John 13:1-17

Jesus, the master teacher, always taught in parables. Parables are simply word pictures using a familiar subject to teach an important truth. On the night before His crucifixion the teacher was still teaching. This time He used another parable with a familiar subject, foot washing, but He did not paint a word picture but He made this a Living Parable as He acted out the truth of SERVANTHOOD.

Tonight, as we continue our series on the Spiritual Disciplines we want to focus on the discipline of Serving One Another. Let us examine this Act of Service by the Lord Jesus to learn of the discipline of Service.

JESUS ACTS OF SERVICE IS A PICTURE.....

1) OF HUMILITY (13:1-5)

a. Task of Foot washing was the task of the lowliest of servants

-places the person in a position of subjection (on one’s knees)

-unpleasant task

b. Task of Foot Washing cannot be completed with a heart of pride

Php 2: 5-8) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in the fashion as a man, He humble Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

2) CONTRARY TO THE WORLD’S THINKING (13:6-7)

God’s ways are in complete difference with the world’s ways.

Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-12)

(Matt 20:25-28) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

3) SYMBOLIC OF THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP (13:8-10)

Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet due to Pride. Jesus was his Lord and Master. Peter did not want to see his master in such a lowly position. To accept his leader in such a way would force him to follow in the same manner.

(Matt 16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

4) OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (13:11-12)

Jesus did not condition His Service

Jesus washed the feet of the one who betrayed

5) TO PATTERN OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES AFTER (13:13-16)

Jesus never asks us to do something he has not first done himself

6) OF THE JOY OF SERVANTHOOD (13:17)