SERVANT LEADERSHIP - Part 2
John 13: Servant Leadership • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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TEXT: John 13:12-30
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, 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 also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
BACKGROUND & INTRO
When we’re told to be like Jesus…is that intimidating to you at all?
My friend Gary Cobb (in Heaven now) would share about when he first came to Christ…when Jesus saved him.
“WWJD?”
“The problem was every time I would try to figure out what Jesus was going to do…he’d pivot and do the opposite.”
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As we learned last week: Jesus Humbly Gets Low in a way that is hard to comprehend.
Jesus loves like we cannot.
He does what we cannot.
…and yet, He teaches us to follow Him…He commands us to.
Last week we learned that as a leader:
He served the mission and he led by serving those on mission with Him!
True leaders lead with stained towels and dirty knees.
Jesus demonstrates that a significant trait of being a humble servant - a trait that cannot be counterfeited - is the willingness to inconvenience ourselves for someone else’s benefit.
Today, the focus shifts to those in the room in a different way.
1. There is a LESSON TO LEARN
1. There is a LESSON TO LEARN
understanding His example John 13:12
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND? (v12)
In order to get to the heart of why this question hangs so heavy here, it’s important to factor in Dr. Luke’s account of the events after this supper.
In Luke 22:24-27
24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
When the cross was just a few hours away, these men are still arguing about the matters of PRIDE AND POSITION.
Another cultural aspect I learned about this footwashing ritual
when there was NO servant present, assigned to this menial task
the first (one or two) guests to arrive could perform this as an act of hospitality for the remaining guests.
(AS IF SOME OF YOU NEEDED A REASON TO BE LATE…MAYBE THIS IS WHAT IS MEANT BY BEING FASHIONABLY LATE)
The disciples weren’t in the mood for that.
Kent Hughes writes, “It’s possible this “who’s the greatest” controversy began even before the supper and bubbled up afterward.
THESE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS were willing to FIGHT FOR TITLES, but no one wanted the towel.
Take note of just how quickly they were quarreling after such a tender lesson from the Master.
I love Jesus as a teacher here.
Remember, he knows them…better than they know themselves.
He knows you better than you know yourself.
He knows where to press in when its needed / helpful.
Jesus wants to make sure they understand what’s happening!
(v13) They all called him Rabbi - “Teacher”
But HE was teacher and LORD
He is both
NOTE: Judas only referred to Him as Teacher / Rabbi
(v14) Since I’m the teacher…I’ve taught you something today.
As your teacher I’ve taught you
As your LORD / MASTER, you should want to follow my example
Though He had dressed like a servant and acted like a slave, HE WAS STILL LEADING THEM.
Look at verse 16 with me
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
In that culture and in ours, the newest employee is NOT greater than the founder/CEO
In this moment in Scripture and in our time - the messengers/ambassadors/sent ones ARE NOT GREATER THAN OUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND TEACHER…and He humbly got low to serve!
and we all say AMEN
and then we’re tempted to bicker of lesser things that have to do with stroking our ego as we leave church
THIS WAS MORE THAN A SPECTACLE.
THIS WAS MORE THAN A PASSIVE TEACHABLE MOMENT.
JESUS WAS TEACHING THEM A LESSON ABOUT SERVING & LEADING…
HE WANTED THEM TO LEARN IT AND LIVE IT.
One of the first courses I had the privilege of taking at the seminary where I recently completed my masters of arts and theological studies was A philosophy course on WORLDVIEWS.
At the beginning of the class, the professor challenged us to be like the men of Issachar from the old Testament… He was referencing first Chronicles 12.
32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.
They had understanding of the times.
They knew what they ought to do.
The point was it’s one thing to know about things. It’s another thing to implement them in a way that they mark our lives. Which leads us to the next verse.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
2. There is a LORD TO OBEY
2. There is a LORD TO OBEY
following His commands John 13:17
Jesus is teaching the disciples - he’s teaching us.
THERE IS A LESSON TO LEARN, for sure…
BUT CONSIDER THE SOURCE.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him, 48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.
49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Jesus is not just teaching them…He is calling them to obedience.
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Obeying Jesus is not the same thing as loving Jesus,
BUT obeying Jesus is the most telling evidence that we love him.
There is no record of Judas calling Jesus LORD; only teacher!
“The essence of our love is our delight in what we treasure. The evidence of our love is how we respond to the treasures demands.” - Jon Bloom
THERE IS A LESSON TO LEARN (so we seek to understand what He says and does).
THERE IS A LEADER TO OBEY (so we follow His commands).
3. There is a LIFE TO LIVE ON MISSION
3. There is a LIFE TO LIVE ON MISSION
living as His sent ones John 13:20
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
(NOTE: I’ll come back to verse 18-19 in a moment)
Let’s walk through this verse for a moment:
Jesus says whoever receives the one(s) I send…is receiving me.
And if you receive me, you’re receiving the FATHER WHO SENT ME
AFTER JESUS RESURRECTED, HE SAID:
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Mission Bible, you know where I’m headed…
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Before He ascended into Heaven, he said
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
WE LIVE AS SENT ONES…
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
THIS IS MORE THAN A LESSON ON HUMILITY
THIS IS MORE THAN A LORD TO OBEY
THIS IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING - WE LIVE OUR LIVES ON MISSION FOR HIM
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
THERE IS A LESSON TO LEARN (so we seek to understand what He says and does).
THERE IS A LORD TO OBEY (so we learn and follow His commands).
THERE IS A NEW LIFE TO LIVE…ON MISSION (so we live as “sent ones”)
I’d like to register one more thought from our text with you today…
In verses 18-19…
18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
Remember, Jesus knows what is coming.
He knows who is among them.
He knows what the Father has in store…the plan of redemption for mankind.
HE KNOWS THAT THERE IS A REAL ENEMY, THAT GOD ALLOWS AS A PART OF HIS UNFOLDING PLAN OF REDEMPTION.
Let’s read these final verses, then I’ll put that last point up and make a couple observations
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
4. There is a LURKING EVIL TO FACE
4. There is a LURKING EVIL TO FACE
be on guard, we have a real adversary John 13:21-30
JESUS KNEW.
THE FATHER KNEW.
THE HOLY SPIRIT KNEW.
SATAN THOUGHT HE KNEW HOW THIS WOULD ALL GO DOWN.
He is NOT all-knowing. He is NOT all-powerful. He is NOT all-present.
Jesus had withstood him after 40 days of fasting.
You and I are NOT JESUS.
God commands us to ARMOR UP…to put on the whole armor of God that we may resist his fiery darts.
Let me hasten to Peter’s application of facing this evil:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
We are not ignorant of his schemes and devices.
he sows hatred, murderous, evil seeds in high places.
4 … he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
LOOK AT JESUS:
There’s much to learn as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand this Bible and point us to Jesus.
There’s a leader to obey…in fact He’s Lord. Two words that don’t go together, “No” and “Lord”.
There’s a life to live ON MISSION…He’s called and equipping us to as He makes us new.
There’s evil lurking to try and trip us up and distract us from WHAT MATTERS MOST.
KNOWING, LOVING, AND OBEYING JESUS TOGETHER
AND MAKING DISCIPLE-MAKING DISCIPLES FOR HIS GLORY!
