Follow My Example (4)
Notes
Transcript
Christ The Example
Christ The Example
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
This is not a mandate to go around washing feet. It is a principle to be a servant to all those around you and a lesson in being served. Which most miss.
Foot washing was a common custom in Eastern lands. The effect of dusty or muddy roads upon feet shod with open sandals made it customary for water and a basin to be available at the entry of homes. A slave or the visitor himself performed the washing (Gen 18:4), although the host might do so as a mark of special favor (1 Sam 25:41). It was discourteous to neglect the practice (Lk 7:44).
Homer A. Kent, “Foot Washing,” ed. Charles F. Pfeiffer, Howard F. Vos, and John Rea, The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia (Moody Press, 1975).
The real question is, can I be like Jesus and live in away that there is nothing below me in my service and love to my fellow saints?
The second question am I like Peter that thinks ain’t no way you are serving me like that?
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
On the subject of eating and market meat offered to Idol worship, Paul is teaching not what to eat or not eat but on how love does not offend.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.