Serving Jesus' Way Series

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.