Recently I watched a documentary called "The Fake Famous." It highlighted three average “Joes” who manipulate social media by purchasing followers, manipulating algorithms and other technics designed to fool people into believing they were famous and trend setters. Since ministry has gone online, even ministers have been tempted to use slick ads and worldly technics to improve likes, increase followers and have almost forgotten the guiding principles of ministry. The documentary called these Fake Famous people influencers. They are used to influence public opinions, styles, clothing, cars, etc. We should be mindful of the culture’s attempt to influence the church in the online climate. The disciples were almost swayed by the crowds, the lure of position and popularity is strong. We must constantly ask ourselves, Why are we doing what we do?
After the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, the Pharisees were more determined than ever to put Jesus to death. Jesus is no longer speaking in parables, He had revealed himself to the disciples as being the Christ, the son of God. Throughout the Gospels The disciples had almost always addressed Jesus as Lord. The disciples knew His Identity and had experienced what he could do. They have experienced the miracles of Jesus; his power had been on full display. In John’s Gospel alone, He turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana, Healed a Blind man by the pool of Bethesda after 38 years of sickness, fed thousands with two small fish and five barley loaves, opened blinded eyes and finally raised Lazarus from the dead. The disciples had witnessed the crowds become massive. They had begun to think about positions, power and privilege. Jesus knew how vital this lesson was because his disciples were discussing which of them were the greatest in the kingdom. Two disciples James and John, along their mother requested that Jesus would grant her sons special seats of honor.
As wonderful as social media is, I wonder how successful our ministry really is today. I wonder are we building the God’s kingdom or our own kingdoms? It is a wonderful thing to follow Jesus and study his life as he dealt with popularity and influence. Jesus used a guiding principle for his ministry. We need to understand the principal Jesus used to stay focus. Jesus honored God by always serving others and loving the kingdom of God. Satan tries to create confusion in the body of Christ in the area of the service we give and the love we demonstrate. All of us will face tremendous pressure from within and without. Our greatest challenge will be responding in such a way that God is glorified. It has been said, “life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% how we respond to what happens to us.”
I believe God is using the pandemic to slow us down enough to examine ourselves. The scattered church has been confused and wandered away from their assignment. The disciples were confused by the crowds, the cheers, and the excitement of the moment. Jesus had to remind them, the Kingdom of God is not about popularity, position, power, and influence. The kingdom is about love and service. I want to share some principles of ministry from John 13. Here in the lesson of love and service, Jesus sets the clear example to be followed.
Principle #1 – John 13:1 “And before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come when He should depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own in the world, He loved them to the end.” Notice Jesus’ attitude towards those who serviced with him. He knew these men were not perfect, saints or angels. They were worldly men with worldly weaknesses who need ongoing support and guidance. He made a commitment to love them. We must make a commitment to love one another.
Principle #2 – John 13:3 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and went to God,” You can only serve and love as he did when we know who we are, where we came from and where we are going. Knowing his identity, allowed Jesus to serve and love with confidence. We must not allow our identity to from Facebook followers, the numbers of likes or public opinion. Our identity must come from God. My life came from God, ministry came from God, he knows what He has given me and called me to do. Don’t be swayed by the crowd or lack thereof.
Principles #3 John 13:4 “He rose up from supper and laid aside His garments. And He took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” Jesus moved the focus from popularity and positions of power to humility. This lesson of miracles could not teach this lesson. The day before, Jesus was anointed with expensive spikenard and his feet had been dried with Mary’s hair. Now he rises from the table and washes his disciple’s feet. The act is a reflection of Jesus’ ministry in the world, he strips himself and took the form of a servant. After the act of service, he takes his own garment again.
Principle #4 John 13:6 “Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, Lord, do You wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said to him, You do not know what I do now, but you shall know hereafter. 8 Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me. 9 Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head.” Jesus teaches Peter a lesson in submission. Even though Peter may have had a bath, he needed his feet to be washed again and again. Our mission in the world will cause our feet to get dirty again and again. Submission will allow us to receive the help and support needed. Submission means both allowing our feet to be washed and at times washing the feet of others. Jesus’ instructions are, “to do as I have done” not do what I have done. The principle was not feet washing, it was to practice mutual submission. During the earthly ministry of Jesus, traveling on foot, wearing open scandals, there was a need for feet washing. Jesus is saying, submit to God and to one another so when a need arises meet it, give aid and assistance when you can.
Principle #5 -John 13:21” When Jesus had said this, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, Truly, truly, I say to you that one of you shall betray Me. 22 Then the disciples looked upon one another, wondering of whom He spoke.” Jesus reveals the cost of true love. When you love much, it make you vulnerable. Those who are closest to you have the power to hurt you. As long as we are in this world, we are subject to get hurt. We must learn to count it all joy. Jesus knew who should betray him and kept it to himself. His love for the disciples was so deep, Jesus refused to sow discord among the brethren. Jesus chose not to expose Judas at this time.
Principle #6 - John 13:34 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. 35 By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.” Finally, Jesus shows the power to be effective witnesses will be revealed in the love we show to the world. The world display the signs and wonders of men, the medical miracles of science, the ability to feed multitudes, but only the Church can demonstrate the love of God. Only the church can love their enemies, false friends and critics.
As believers will have an occasion to have a pity party, to reveal our injuries, and to hurt others in revenge. We will have opportunities to expose someone’s shortcoming or faults, to sow discord among the church family, Jesus teaches us how we should respond. Jesus calls on us to show the one thing the world cannot duplicate, His Love. We are called to love the good, bad, and the ugly. We are called to love anyway, help anyway, and to do good anyway. We are called to demonstrate that we are people of God who know who we are, to know what we have, to know where we are going and to know to whom we belong.
The verses below reportedly were written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India, and are widely attributed to her. They seem to be based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way. Both versions are shown below.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
This writing like John 13 refers to The Guiding Principles of Ministry which are Service and Love. Jesus lived his life for the glory of God in love and service and he calls us to follow him. Will you? Will I? Really?
