Palm Sunday 2022: The Sign of the Servant

Introduction: When I knew that Tarah was interested..I decided to act

Knowledge determines action…

What I know determines what I do...

You could even say that what I DON’T know determines what I do

Context:

Jesus raises Lazarus

Jesus is anointed by Mary in preparation for his burial

Jesus enters Jerusalem…people lay down Palms and worship

Then Jesus has dinner with his friends..

John 13:1–5 (NIV) 1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

1. Jesus knew who He was

John 14:6 NLT

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

Jesus allowed the Father’s Voice to affirm His identity:

Baptism: Matthew 3:17 “17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.””

Transfiguration Matthew 17:5 “5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.””

Jesus knew His identity carried a purpose…so...

2. Jesus knew why He was here

John 13:1–5 (NLT) 1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

The Father Speaks for the 3rd time during

John 12:27–28 (NLT) 27 “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! 28 Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.”

John 12:30–33 NLT

30 Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

Jesus knew that His identity carried benefits…so

3. Jesus knew what He had

John 13:1–5 (ESV)1 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. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it 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 had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 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.

NIV — ‘authority over everything’

Because He knew who He was (IDENTITY) — He knew what he had — HE KNEW HIS AUTHORITY & INHERITANCE

There was no want in Jesus for anything other than to be with the Father. His only desire, apart from loving the disciples, was to be in the same GLORY AND RELATIONSHIP He had with His Dad (John 17:5). Jesus wanted the TREASURE true connection with God, He was not distracted by the TRINKETS of popularity, materialism, power or respect....Jesus refused to trade His TREASURE for the world’s TRINKETS

Paul Writes something Powerful....

Romans 8:17 “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.....

Ephesians 1:3–14 (NIV) tells us....

Ephesians 1:3–14 (NIV)3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

QUESTION: IF THIS IS TRUE…WHAT MORE DO I WANT OR NEED?

I want respect — I want honor — I want to be heard

If we really believed this…would we want some of the things that we do?

Because Jesus knew who he was, why he was here and what he had....

4. Jesus knew what He could to do

John 13:1–5 (NLT) 1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

B/C of what Jesus KNEW … He could Heal, Preach, Laugh, Weep, Raise the dead…and HE COULD SERVE

Because Jesus knew EXACTLY who he was (identity) he could say...

Luke 22:27 (NLT) 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

He knew that THIS WAS A PICTURE OF HIS LIFE AND THE ASSIGNMENT ON HIS LIFE...That’s why in CH.12....He says...

John 12:32–33 (NLT)32 And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 33 He said this to indicate how he was going to die.

Jesus wasn’t just teaching them how to be nicer to each other. He was showing them a prophetic picture of THEIR identity and calling. He was showing them what kind of lives would be required of them.

It was a message that they would forget in the span of minutes as they would then argue about who was the greatest (Luke 22:24-30)

Remember Paul wrote in Romans 8:17….

Romans 8:17 (NLT)17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Jesus was able to surrender His life because He had an ETERNAL perspective. If we have a TEMPORARY perspective, we care very much about our health, reputation, money, education, legacy, ministry, success. But the SERVANT has an ETERNAL perspective. It’s what allows them do things that look like shame or dishonor. The glory of the servant isn’t in their service, it’s in their surrender.

Because of what the servant knows ETERNALLY, (who they are, why they exist and what they have) … they can offer WHOLEHEARTED and SURRENDERED worship to Jesus and service to HIS purpose.

Because I know who I am I can serve w/out the need to always get credit

Because I know who why I am here I can serve w/out the need to get the glory…

B/C I know what I have I can serve out of the abundant life I have in Christ

B/C I know who I am I can serve my kids w/out fear of losing their respect

B/C I know who I am I can serve my wife w/out insecurity or fear of not being respected..I can serve her even when she doesn’t serve me…

B/C I know what I have I can SURRENDER every life goal I‘ve ever had to Jesus because if HE isn’t glorified in it…IT WAS NEVER WORTH ANYTHING ANYWAY….

IF I’M living for THIS LIFE alone none of this is possible…

Eternal perspective is why Jesus could tell his disciples that in order to gain their lives, they would need to lose them.

Conclusion: Big Idea

What I KNOW determines what I DO

So what does a servant know?

Who I am…why I’m here…what I have…what I can do

Sometimes we can’t see what God is seeing because we are too busy standing and looking down. Instead we may need to consider the posture of a servant. One on their knees looking up for the direction and insight from the one whom they serve.

Where in my life do I need to gain the heart of a servant?

Faith? Home? Work? Family Member?

What might I need to surrender in order to better connect with God and His purpose in my life?

NOT everyone can be Princess Diana…but ANYONE can be Mother Theresa