Scripture References
(Jn 13:1-17, Mtt 26:26-30, Mk 14:22-26, Lk 22:14-20)
Series Introduction
Mary Stevenson, in 1936, wrote a poem …
Footprints in the Sand (read)
We want to follow the footprints of Jesus in the days leading up to his crucifixion, death, resurrection.
Jesus was on a journey to Jerusalem and the cross.
As he journeyed- left footprints in-in the sands of time
Footprints man cannot escape, no matter how he tries.
Footprints that tell us a lot about the life He lived.
What type of prints- we leaving behind-sands of time?
foot prints, face prints, or butt prints?
As we walk in the direction God has for us, we leave clear footprints for others to see and even follow.
There are times we will stumble/fall- leave our face print in the sand, but Jesus is ready to pick us up.
At other times, as we struggle against the purposes of God, we leave butt prints as He drags us along.
What type of prints are you leaving behind?
Butt prints in the Sand (read)
Begin journey-Jesus takes disciples into Upper Room.
Our Journey Begins
Jn 13:1
Here we see a picture of Jesus’ love for mankind.
His coming from the beginning was an act of love …
Jn 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. NASU
In- Upper Room- Jesus demonstrates His love for the disciples and reveals to them new truths.
If we take time to pursue Jesus into the Upper Room, we will know His love and He will speak to us.
Jn 13:2
As Judas did then, we have a very real spiritual enemy today that can still influence the human heart.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. NASU
Jesus clearly came and defeated the enemy …
Rom 8:37 … we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
However, consider this story …
Mtt 12:43-45
Enemy can come- when we allow a void in our lives.
Protect ourselves- by filling- hearts w/God’s Word.
Jn 13:3-4
Jesus had every right to be concerned w/His problems.
Instead, He was focused on the needs of others.
The more we focus on our problems- the more they will consume us and make us ineffective for God.
Wet Feet
Jn 13:5
Roads- dirt- men wore open sandals w/no socks.
Washing the feet of a guest was the duty of a servant.
In Lk 7:36-39- another dinner Jesus attended at the house of a Pharisee- a woman enters the room.
She is known as a sinner- in a display of her love for what Jesus had done for her- anoints His feet
w/costly perfume- washes- feet w/her tears/hair.
In- Upper Room we find the same Jesus- who is God, taking the form of a servant, washing- feet of men.
Jn 13:6-11
Why did Jesus wash the disciples feet?
1. To demonstrate His love
As- woman in Lk 7- demonstrated her love for Jesus by anointing His feet- Jesus washes- disciples feet.
Over and over in the Bible, as Jesus saw the needs of people, it says He had compassion for them.
Out of that compassion he healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, comforted people.
2. To demonstrate humility
Phil 2:5-13
He who would be first, would first be last.
3. To set before them an example
Jesus asked the disciples a question that rings down through history to our own day.
Jn 13:12-17
Jesus is saying … you say you are a Christian,
that I am your Lord,
you sing songs about me,
you take communion at my table,
BUT (BUTT) …
have you examined My life carefully?
are you following my example?
are you serving others, as I came to serve you?
Jesus washed the disciples feet as an example to us that we should be washing one another’s feet.
How do we wash one another’s feet?
The issue is not-act of foot washing, but humility/love
As Christ has loved us, forgiven us, and served us, so we should love, forgive, and serve others.
The more we learn to serve, the more we will find ourselves being used by God.
The facts of the cross/resurrection- very important …
Jesus died on the cross for ours sins,
He was physically raised from the dead,
He ascended into heaven, and
He is returning so we can live w/Him forever.
But these facts alone are not going to convince the world that God is alive and cares for them.
Lk 16: (19) 27-31 (rich man and Lazarus)
The world is looking for a demonstration of love, a love that is not of this world, a supernatural love.
We want- see miracles released to draw people to God
Miracles may draw them towards the Kingdom, but only God’s love will secure them.
We are instructed- love/forgive the way Jesus did.
Love is perhaps a prelude to the releasing of miracles.
Jesus had compassion- then He worked miracles.
Dinner for Twelve
Jesus had used the Passover celebration to wash the disciples feet and reveal to them His heart.
The Passover meal/Lord’s Supper- linked together.
We find the story of the Passover in Exodus …
Ex 12:13 ’The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. NASU
God’s judgment passed over the homes of those with blood on the door- foreshadow of Christ/the cross.
Lk 22:14-16 (Mtt 26:26-30, Mk 14:22-26)
One of those times- get to see- personal side of Jesus.
The agony of the death He is about to suffer, appears to intensify His love for the disciples.
Lk 22:17-20
He instructs them- share-cup/bread among themselves
This bread/cup, My body/blood, I am giving for you.
What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper?
1. Freedom from sin
Passover- represented- Jews being delivered from the slavery in Egypt- liberty, freedom.
The Lord’s Supper represents our deliverance from the dominion of sin- captivates the human heart.
2. Covenant
Covenant is a relationship established between God and man, that is initiated by God.
The Old Covenant was based on obedience to the law.
The Lord’s Supper speaks of a New Covenant.
Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, man can enter a new relationship w/God.
3. Relationship of Love
Old Covenant- restored the relationship between the Jews/God lost through disobedience to the Law.
Through Jesus Christ we can now enter into a new relationship w/God based on love, not law.
4. Memorial
A visual picture to remind us of what Jesus did for us.
5. Confrontation
A memory is typically of someone who is gone, but the Lord is alive and with us today.
The Lord’s Supper is not just a memory, but a confrontation/encounter with the Risen Lord.
6. Realization
The Lord’s Supper is a realization of the destructive power of sin.
It is not only the revelation of the love of God for us but also a revelation of the sin of man.
Conclusion
We have seen Christ humble Himself and wash the disciples feet as an example of how we should live
our lives before men.
We have seen God open to man a new relationship with Him based on love- His love for us.
I want to reinforce this in our minds by taking the Lord’s Supper together.
Communion (The Lord’s Supper)
Simplest form of fellowship- eating a meal w/others.
As we eat a common meal- build common memories.
The Lord’s Supper sprang out of the Passover meal.
Passover- a real meal- Jews ate together on the night before they were delivered from slavery in Egypt.
In the East- to welcome someone to eat at your table- was a sign of friendship.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies … NASU
Picture- man fleeing across- desert- from his enemies.
He comes to a home where- family is eating together.
He stands before their home hoping- man of the house will extend a hand and welcome him in.
Once a person is invited in to eat, they are fully accepted and even defended from their enemies.
Those who sit at a meal together are …
committed to each other and to their host, and
their host is committed to them.
We have a real enemy today and Jesus is encamped in the desert, hosting a meal w/His arms outstretched,
welcoming us to dine with Him.
If we accept His invitation- He is fully committed to-
deliver us from our enemies and
give to us-full privilege-citizen in His Kingdom
If you love God, come to the Communion table and remember what Christ did for you.
If you are running from God, come to the Communion table, repent of your sin, He will accept/love you.
If you are sick, come to- Communion table and encounter- God who heals all your diseases.
Take the bread/juice together (Lk 22:19-20)
The Lord’s Supper, in a spiritual sense, is a place not to satisfy the hunger of the body, but of the spirit.
Mtt 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. NASU
Footprints in the Sand
(Mary Stevenson, 1936)
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."
Butt Prints in the Sand
Author Unknown
One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.
But then some stranger prints appeared...
And I asked the Lord, "What have we have here.
Those prints are large and round and neat.
But Lord, they are too big for feet."
"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."
"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith you would not know...
So I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt."
"Because in life there comes a time
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
Or leave their butt prints in the sand."
