The Truth about Service

John 13:1-20

We continue our look at the passages in John that contain the Verily, Verily statements from Jesus.

Today we want to look here at John 13:1-20.

In this passage, we find the disciples with Jesus in the upper room having just finished the Last Supper.

Jesus, you can sense by the language is heart sick.

1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

He has walked, served, taught, loved, invested in, and provided for these twelve men that are with him.

Supper has ended, and the devil had already tempted Judas Iscariot to betray him.

Now in verse three the Bible says:

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Verse 1 framed this passage in Jesus’ love he felt for these men, verse 3 frames this passage with the proof of His faith and obedience to the Father.

Jesus knows His time is short and He uses every possible moment to teach His disciples some important truths.

from this moment until He is arrested (John 13-17) He teaches them.

So in verse 4 He gets up lays aside His outer garment, and wraps a towel around his waste to be used to do the work that He is about to do.

He pours some water into a wash bason, and He begins to wash the disciples feet and wipe them with the towel that He is wearing.

It is easy to go past this information without really considering it.

Many of us have heard this story ever since we were little in Sunday School.

But in this day and in this culture, it was shocking and unheard of for a Master, a teacher to bow down before his subordinates and do a gross task like washing someones feet.

I don’t like feet, I think they are gross…If someone touches me with their feet, especially bear feet I almost gag.

It’s bad enough to think of touching them with my hands, but when you think of this in the context of this ancient world…a world where people walked in open sandals through dirty, dusty, manure covered roads, it is a different job all together.

I stepped in some dog stuff the other day and thought I was going to lose it all before I could get it off my shoe.

It is no wonder that this was a job for a servant of the lowest order.

But Jesus begins to wash each of the disciples feet.

When he comes to Simon Peter, Peter says, “Lord you’re washing my feet?”

I’m sure Peter isn’t the first one to think this, but as usual Peter is the first one to speak out.

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Jesus says, “I know you don’t understand right now, but you will.”

To this I can almost see Peter pull his foot away from Jesus and tuck it under him as he says, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.”

“Lord I don’t want this! I don’t want to be a part of humiliating you.”

The Greek phrase he uses is quite strong.

It would be similar to saying, “Now way…not ever!”

There have been times when I have gone to wash dishes here at the church after a potluck, or take out trash, that someone has stopped me and taken over for me and said, “You don’t need to be doing that!”

I know what they are saying, and I appreciate it more than I can tell you!

They are saying, “We love you and don’t want you to have to do that, Let me take care of that for you.”

I don't stop them from taking over, but I do usually say something to the effect of, “Well, I am called to be a servant.”

But Jesus here has a very direct and different purpose.

He is leaving and has a very short time to teach them something.

So Jesus tells Peter, “If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me.”

Jesus gives an equally strong response to Peter’s strong words.

In essence Jesus is saying, “I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. This is for a purpose. Now give me your foot.”

So Peter responds,

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Peter seems to be getting the idea that this foot washing has a spiritual meaning.

He wants as much as possible, if that is the case.

But still, Peter is responding with what he wants, rather than what Jesus wants.

Jesus responds with a something that will distinguish between those who are “bathed” and only need to be wsahed.

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

As Jesus and Peter have gone back and forth they have used the Greek root word níptō.

Here when Jesus says, He that is washed…the word washed is the word loúō.

The difference between the two is very similar to the difference between the English words “wash” and “bathe.”

One implies a spot-cleaning action, the other an all-over deep clean.

Then in verse 11 we are told

11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

Jesus was very aware that Judas would betray him.

He was very aware that Judas was not bathed clean.

Taking verses 8-11 together and studying it carefully gives us a very clear understanding of Eternal Security.

Those who are once-for-all washed need not be entirely cleansed again.

There is no need to be re-saved.

But they do need to wash daily, confess for spiritual cleansing.

So, Jesus now having finished washing their feet takes the towel off and puts his outer garment back on.

He sits down, looks at them and says, “Know ye what I have done to you?”

He is about to make the real point -the point of eternal security was a side point…a rabbit trail that Peter took Jesus on.

But the main thing Jesus wants to teach his disciples is coming:

13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

He says, If I am your Lord and Master - I…who had no business doing this demeaning job (in the cultures eyes) humbled myself and washed your feet.

You need to wash one another’s feet.

I’m the example - follow it!

If the Master is willing to serve…we are obligated to serve one another.

Jesus is not removing his role as Master, in fact He is emphasizing it here.

And yet, He is willing to serve.

If the Master performs a task, His servants don’t get to dismiss that same task as “beneath them.”

No follower of Jesus has a right to turn up their nose to any task and think, “that’s beneath me.”

I don’t care what your status in life, or your title, or your role, or your reputation, none of us have the right to turn up their nose at sacrificial service.

When you do, you are saying that you are too good to be like our Lord.

Now we come to the first Verily, Verily statement of Jesus in this passage.

This was all the introduction to the message today, but don’t worry…I am aware of the time.

But Jesus is saying in verses 16-17,

I. Serve As Jesus Serves

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

If Jesus was willing to serve, we must be willing to serve each other.

This the very foundation of being His disciple.

we need to serve as Jesus served.

So we see first of all,

A. Not Too Good to Serve

16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

You are not greater than Jesus!

You are not greater than the one who sent you!

There are far too many Christians who think they are too good to do some of the menial things in the church.

I praise God that this is not true in this church, but I have seen many people get lifted up in pride because they are asked to be a deacon, or Sunday School teacher, or whatever.

They begin to think, I can’t do that…I’m a deacon.

When the word deacon means servant!

The deacons are supposed to be the leadership in serving!

They are to be the example for people to follow in how to serve the church.

I don’t care who you are, or who you think you are…from the Pastor to the littlest kid we need to serve one another!

Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of serving in humility. Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady.

The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. "It's perfectly all right, Madam," he replied. "Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend." She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.

We need to see the truth today, and we need to serve the Lord by serving one another.

We are not too good to serve!

Secondly we need to understand that...

B. Happiness Comes through Serving

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Those who serve are happy.

It is a hurdle we must get over first.

Because it is not within human nature, our sin nature, to serve one another.

It does not feel like this is the path to happiness.

And yet it is!

You will be happier if you focus more on serving each other than if you are just focused on yourself.

To not do what God asks us to do is sin.

James 4:17 KJV

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

If you know something is the right thing to do, and you refuse to do it you are sinning.

But if instead we realize that when we serve even the least of men, we are serving Jesus Himself.

Matthew 25:42–45 KJV

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Oh the difference!

Oh how much easier it is to serve each other, when we realize we are then serving the Master.

The great Paderewski, a polish concert pianist, a favorite of audiences around the world. Well he occupied a suite in a hotel in New York City many years ago during one of his seasons at Carnegie Hall. It was the master’s custom to practice for a couple of hours every morning on the magnificent instrument that he had brought with him.

On the third morning of his stay an angry lady stormed into the manager’s office and said, “Someone is hammering on an old tin can piano every morning across the corridor from me. This is the third day. It is driving me mad, and unless you stop it I shall leave immediately.”

The astonished manager protested, "But madam, that is Paderewski himself!"

The lady nearly fainted with surprise and said, "Paderewski! Oh, that’s different. Of course I had not the slightest idea. I adore good music. I am an excellent musician myself. Please say nothing at all about it."

The manager was quite amused to note that thereafter, for the remainder of Paderewski’s stay, the good woman kept the door of her suite wide open and entertained a party of friends there every morning while he practiced.

What was the difference? The room? The hotel? The music? No! The only thing that changed was the woman’s attitude. Before, she was irritated and annoyed; now, she was thrilled.

Often our own attitude needs some serious readjustment. The next time you are tempted to complain about your service to the Others, stop and think about whom you are serving. What a privilege it is to know Jesus and to be His coworker. A love for the Lord takes the dead weight out of service for others.

So Serve as Jesus Serves, we are not too good to do it, and the truth is we will be happy if we do.

The last two points will be quick...

II. Receive Whom Jesus Sends

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

If someone comes to you and tries to serve you, humble yourself and let them!

Allow them the blessing of obeying God.

If someone comes to you to try to help you, don’t try to pay them off, don’t tell everyone about it, just let them do what God has laid on their heart…and then look for the opportunity to pay it forward.

There is nothing more frustrating for a servant as when the person you are trying to serve won’t let you help them.

We have to be careful, because often it is pride that tries to prevent it.

"I don’t need help.”

“I can do it myself.”

“This is embarrassing.”

No humility is not thinking of yourself, instead think of how you are giving another person the opportunity to be blessed by God themselves.

I struggle with this too!

I have struggled with embarrassment that the church is paying the money to remodel our kitchen and bathroom.

Don’t get me wrong…It needs to be done.

And I know that it is the church’s property that needs to be maintained like everything else.

I know that It is a wise investment.

I know that it is an act of love toward your pastor, but especially toward my wife who deserves it much more.

But to be transparent, it is a form of pride that does not want to be the one who is served, but wants to be the one who serves.

So I have to be careful, and to be honest I drug my feet last year because of this.

But I have had some dear church members, and not a few, lovingly chastise me and we got the ball rolling.

As soon as we have a few less people living there we will begin the process.

But I am so grateful for your service to me and my family.

I must model this truth, If I reject a service, I reject Christ’s service to me.

I reject Christ.

The same is true for you.

So the next time someone wants to do something for you…let them!

Then thirdly, and quickly let’s not forget...

III. Not All Are Sent by Jesus

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Not all who were in the room with Jesus were saved.

Not all who are in this room here today, or are watching by Live-stream are saved.

Not all are completely bathed - completely clean.

Some may be here because it is good for your business connections.

Some may be here because it makes them feel better to attend church.

Some may be here because they want to fit in, or they are seeking for friendships.

Some have maybe even served the Lord for years...

Matthew 7:21–23 KJV

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

But this does not have to be the case!

We are all sinners

Romans 3:10 KJV

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

And there is a penalty for that sin

Romans 6:23 KJV

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But Christ died on the cross to pay that penalty

Romans 5:8 KJV

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

And He offers the gift of eternal life to you today!

Romans 6:23 KJV

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But we must come to Him and Him alone!

We cannot come to Him hanging onto church attendance as a way to earn our way.

We cannot come to Him hanging onto our works of any kind.

We cannot come to Him thinking we can be good enough.

We must come to Him alone, Accept Christ alone and his death, burial and resurrection alone as our only hope of salvation.

Then when we have done this, then we too may have the opportunity to Serve as Jesus served.

What about you today?

Are you busy serving, or are you too good to get involved?

Are you receiving people that serve you as Christ himself?

Are you one of those Sent by Christ?

Let’s get busy for the Lord today!