John 13:1-17 Jesus the model servant

The word servant is defined as a person who performs duties for others.

It is a job that if we’re to be honest being a servant is one that isn't glamorous or on a surface level even fun. Serving others is tiring and very often comes at expense to the servant.

Despite the cost of serving and it’s apparent difficulties it is something those who’d call themselves Christ followers are called to do!

Look at John 13:15 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

How do we serve? Especially when those we are supposed to serve aren’t nice?

Mean

Ungrateful

Hurt you?

Are different?

Jesus is the model servant. It is in the account found in John 13:1-17 that we are going to see the example of the model servant.

John 13:1–17 (KJV 1900)

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. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 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. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 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. 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.

Jesus extreme humility

John 13:3-4 “3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.”

Jesus Splendor

“Knowing the father had given him all things”

Jesus has rightful claim to all

Ephesians 1:21

Jesus is equal with God

Phil 2:5-6

Creator

John 1:1-3

King

Is 9:7

Jesus the servant

Despite all Jesus had and was worthy of he have it up and just served

He actually said this about himself Matthew 28:20

In this account he removed his garment.

Took of his nice clothes and in exchange put on a towel.

what humility!

He came to them

not them having to go to him

Those he served

The apostles

He washed these dirty men

he washed those who were going to leave him

even the one that betrayed him

He was in all ways better than them yet served them humbly!

- This is just like us!

Jesus the King & Lord! Stepped down from heaven and came to this dirty Earth to save and serve people!

Phil 2:5-7

The Effect of Jesus Serving

John 13:6-11 “6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 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. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.”

When Jesus washes us the washing final

When we are saved we are washed!

1 Cor 6:9-11

He did the washing

once and through his blood

1 John 1:5-10

The Exhortation to serve like Jesus

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: The Sovereign Servant (John 13:1–35)

By becoming a servant, our Lord did not push us down: He lifted us up

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: The Sovereign Servant (John 13:1–35)

The world asks, “How many people work for you?” but the Lord asks, “For how many people do you work?”

James 1:22–27 KJV 1900

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.