Surprised by Underwhelming Expectations
I rarely introduce myself as Pastor. It’s not that I don’t want people to know the role I play, but I don’t want my title to become a barrier. Sure, it may open some conversations, but it may also hinder others as people might think I’m some holy man - because I am not - I’m a sinner saved by grace.
When people do find out I’m a pastor, their responses are quite varied. Sometimes they are encouraged or curious, other times taken back. Sometimes they clean up their language or express an apology for something they have said.
But there are also times when I’m surprised by their underwhelming expectations.
A few weeks ago, I was helping out at the primary election at John Poole Middle School. It was the night before the primary and we were setting up tables and equipment. I was working with my new friend Homayun to get the registration machines ready to go. Part of that involved laying on the floor and taping cables beneath the tables so that it would look as neat as we could make it. I felt a bit like a mechanic working under a car. It was a fun challenge and not the cleanest task - but we got it done.
The next day, I was working with a lady who had been there the night before and saw us on the ground. When she found out that I’m a pastor - she was surprised, pleasantly so, but surprised nonetheless that I would get on the floor and dirty like that - as though some tasks like that would be beneath the dignity of a pastor.
I don’t remember exactly how I responded, but it made me sad to think how she might have perceived pastors or religious leaders that she has come across in the past.
I tell you that not because I want you to think more highly of me. That task is something that I think anyone would do - or at least anyone could do - regardless of title or position.
I think this task is something that even Jesus would have done - after all - he did a couple of things far more demeaning than I did.
If you have your bibles, open them to John 13. We’re going to look at one of those times when Jesus served.
While you’re turning there, I need to make a little correction. A few weeks ago, I incorrectly noted a major division in the book ofJohn. Many commentators divide the book into two large parts -
The Book of Signs (1-12)
The Book of Glory (13-21).
The first part of the book (the book of signs) largely deals with Jesus public ministry and his interactions around various Jewish festivals, in addition to the signs that he performed.
The latter part of the book largely deals with his private ministry to his disciples - and then of course his crucifixion and resurrection.
I think it’s important for us to pay attention to where we are in the book in order to see how Jesus teaches and interacts with his disciples. Much of what we’re going to consider in these next several chapters take place in the final couple of days before his crucifixion. I had incorrectly noted the division before chapter 12, rather than after chapter 12.
So, as Jesus moves toward the cross, toward his “hour” as John refers to it, Jesus sits down with his disciples for a special meal - possibly a passover meal. During the meal, he does the unthinkable - he washes his disciples feet. He, the master, serves his followers.
I think one of the things we find in this passage is that Jesus’ heart, head, and hands are engaged in this service.
First of all, we see that..
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The heart of service is love (1)
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John 13:1 ESV
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
This theme of love is something we’ll find in the next several chapters.
John clearly notes that Jesus loved his disciples. His ministry among them was fueled by love. His love for them didn’t stop until “the end” of his earthly life - and truly beyond.
When we think through the guys that he had around him, he had quite a mixture of disciples.
James and John - the sons of thunder who had ambitions for the place of honor.
Peter - the disciple who’s mouth would get him into trouble time and again.
Andrew - the soft-spoken brother of Peter - who kept making small demonstrations of faith.
Philip - “the bean counter” - as John MacArthur calls him - he had a flair for the obvious.
Nathanael - also known as Bartholomew - Jesus called him one in whom there is no guile or deceit
Matthew/Levi - the tax collector - who was seen as a traitor to other Jewish people.
Thomas - the twin who doubted even after the resurrection
James the less - we don’t even know enough about him to be able to talk about qualities.
Simon the zealot - a political activist - who likely began following Jesus because he wanted a political revolution.
Judas (not Iscariot) - how would you like to be simply referred to as “the other Judas” or not that guy.
Judas - the one who eventually betrayed Jesus
Some of these men were notable, others were practically invisible. Some were ambitious and others were minimalists.
John notes that Jesus loved them.
Imagine being some of these guys, knowing that you were called out by Jesus, living in the realization of his love for you - in all of your strengths and weaknesses - warts and flaws and all.
He loved them.
But not only these 12, but he loved “his own who were in the world.” It seems like “his own” refers to those who are called out of the world to a life of faith and belief in him. By the time Jesus ascended, there were at least 120 dedicated men and women who were following him (Acts 1). Today, close to 1/3 of the population of the planet calls Jesus their Lord.
Jesus served these men and women out of love.
He served you and me out of love when he went to the cross. He took our shame and humiliation because he loved us.
So Jesus shows us that service comes from a heart of love. Secondly we see that...
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The head of service is established in truth (1, 3)
Let’s look again back at verse one of this chapter:
John 13:1 ESV
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Jesus seemed to have a knowledge of the time. This was not just any passover. This was THE passover - the one that would become the culmination of his ministry.
Look down at verse three.
John 13:3 ESV
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,
Jesus acts of service that we will see in a few moments were established in certain truths - in certain knowledge.
Authority and Responsibility - the Father had given all things into his hands. His assignment here on earth, his ministry among his disciples, his responsibility to steward that authority was all given by God - and Jesus knew that full well. But he also had knowledge of his...
Origin and Destination - Even though he took on human flesh, John helps us understand that Jesus knew he was no mere human - that he had come from God and would return to God. He laid aside the glory of heaven, and would pick it back up again.
We saw this a little bit last week when we briefly considered his high priestly prayer in John 17.
John 17:5 ESV
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
Origin and destination.
Jesus’ actions weren’t rooted in speculation or some political manipulation - it was rooted in the confidence of who he is, what he came to do, and where he would be going.
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So we see that Jesus heart and head were truly prepared for service. In his example, we get to see that...
The hands of service welcome humiliation (4-5)
This seems rather odd to think of it this way, but Jesus does one of the most surprising things here. John tells us in verses 4-5 that Jesus...
John 13:4–5 ESV
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.
The significance of this action is often lost on us as westerners.
People in Jesus day didn’t walk around with shoes like we do. Even today, many people in eastern cultures wear sandals, which means their feet would get dirty.
Bruce Milne notes that “Proper etiquette... taught that guests, begrimed from journeying through the dusty streets, should, on arrival, have their feet washed by a slave. This was a particularly humble task, included in a list of works with a Jewish slave would not be required to perform.” (p. 196)
So, Jesus and his disciples sit down to eat. There are no gentile slaves around to do this task and so the task remains undone.
Gary Burge comments similarly that, “all our ancient sources show that footwashing was a degrading and lowly task. When done by a wife (for her husband), a child (for his/her parents), or a pupil (for his teacher), it was always an active extreme devotion. But since it was an act with social implications, in no way do we find those with "higher" status washing the feet of those beneath them. When Jesus "takes off his outer clothing" and wraps a towel around himself (13:4), he is adopting the posture of a slave.” (p. 369)
Jesus goes against all of their cultural norms and does the unthinkable. He takes to posture of a slave in this act of service. He willingly lays aside his dignity and honor.
This act of service creates a picture for us of what he would do in a matter of hours as he, the God of the universe and second person of the trinity, humbled himself to die a criminal’s death - taking the cross that we deserve.
Paul reflects on his action this way:
Philippians 2:6–8 NLT
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
In coming to earth - Jesus willingly served humanity through humiliation. Then, as a human, he willingly humiliated himself in service to others.
Which brings us to our final consideration from this passage. Jesus, in response to his actions, communicates to his disciples and to us that...
We should serve others as Jesus served (12-17)
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John 13:12–17 ESV
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Jesus demonstrated that as a teacher he would have been elevated socially - and yet he was willing to wash their feet. As Lord, he demonstrates that He is more than that - he is master - and yet was still willing to be humiliated before them. In Greek, “Lord” or “kyrios” refers to someone who has “supreme authority” (Milne 199). And yet he was willing to serve. No level of service was beneath him.
To some degree, it’s difficult to grasp the gravity of this.
One commentator equated Jesus service to that of say Queen Elizabeth coming and sweeping the floors at your house (Burge). Someone of her stature would not do that - normally. And yet Jesus’ stature is infinitely greater! And he did something more degrading than sweeping.
Don Carson noted -
One of the ways human pride manifests itself in a stratified society is in refusing to take the lower role. But now that Jesus, their Lord and Teacher, has washed his disciples’ feet—an unthinkable act!—there is every reason why they also should wash one another’s feet, and no conceivable reason for refusing to do so.
There is no reason we for us not to serve.
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So, in response to Jesus’ example here, let’s consider a few...
Points to Ponder:
In some ways the application is not difficult to reach, but remember - Jesus did more than just serve - he used his whole being - heart, head, and hands.
So...
What is your heart attitude toward others or toward service? Do you truly love those around you?
When you serve , is your service out of duty, obligation, or a guilt trip?
Is your service fueled by love?
Is there someone that you would not want to serve?
Is any measure of serving “beneath you?”
Oh that God would give us his heart for others.
Just as Jesus understood his origin and destination - remember what is true from God about you -
if you are a follower of Christ, your sinful origin has been redeemed. Your destination of eternal life has been redeemed and is secure.
If you’re not yet a follower of Christ, be reminded that your sinfulness marks you. We all stand condemned in our sin - and yet as Jesus served, he took our condemnation. We simply need to repent of our sin and receive his free gift of eternal life.
Remember where you stand with him - you are fully loved and eternally secure.
Your service does not need to gain acclaim - God knows, God sees, find your confidence in Him. Jesus reminded us that in our giving, praying and fasting that… Matthew 6:4
Matthew 6:4 (ESV)
...your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Finally,
We can’t let position, pride, or preference get in the way of our service to God and others.
Whether it’s
volunteering monthly for Kids Connection or helping in Adventure Zone,
joining the deacon team or helping as a greeter,
assisting with the Christmas Musical (even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket) or being available for some youth events,
helping in the thrift shop, distributing food, volunteering with WUMCO or
leading worship -
there are so many ways that service can happen in our community and in our church.
Getting dirty might even mean spending time with your neighbor (even that one that you’ve had a conflict with for years) - or doing yard work for someone who simply can’t.
There are so many ways that we can serve. It’s important to serve out of love and firmly founded in the confidence that we have through Jesus Christ.
When Danielle and I graduated from Taylor University, they gave each of the graduates a towel - of course embroidered with the school logo - as a reminder that we are called to be “servant-leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ’s redemptive love and truth to a world in need.”
Today, as you leave, we’ll have some towels as a reminder that we should serve the way that Jesus served - with from his heart and head, with his hands. These towels can also be a reminder of the way that Jesus served you - by giving his pure life in exchange for yours and mine. Use the towel or simply keep it some place as a reminder.
Let’s pray.
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Benediction:
2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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Sources:
Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993
MacArthur, John. Twelve Ordinary Men. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2002.
Neusner, Jacob. The Mishnah : A New Translation. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1988.
