The Stooping Savior: Overcoming Pride

THE STOOPING SAVIOR: OVERCOMING PRIDE

John 13:1–20 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. 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. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Series: The Upper Room: Heart to Heart

BIG IDEA: To be close to Jesus and do great things for Him, we must put away our pride, let Him cleanse us from sin, and follow His example of serving others.

INTRODUCTION

A. Illustration: The Red Clay of Virginia

Red clay is not just dirt — it’s a commitment; it sticks to everything and grows heavier with every step.

Most of us leave muddy boots at the door — but we rarely notice when we’ve tracked our pride into our walk with God.

What to do you do when the mud isn’t on your boots - it’s on your soul?

B. The Setting: The Upper Room (John 13)

The most intimate moment in the life and ministry of Christ.

The pivot point: Christ turns from public ministry to pour Himself into His disciples.

C. Big Idea Stated

Every person in this room — from pulpit to back row — possesses a nature that believes standing on top is the goal.

Jesus shows us that being a lowly servant is where blessing is found.

BIG IDEA: To be close to Jesus and do great things for Him, we must put away our pride, let Him cleanse us from sin, and follow His example of serving others.

We are in the Upper Room just before Christ’s crucifixion. Twelve disciples. A table is set. And a King who was about to do the unthinkable.

POINT 1: Overcoming Pride Starts with Acknowledging Christ

Text: John 13:1-5 | Support: Philippians 2:7–8; John 1:14, 18

John 13:1–5 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.

A. Who Christ Is: The Foundation of the Act

He knew the Father had given all things into His hands — He acted from security, not obligation.

He came from God and went to God — John 1:14 “14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” , John 1:18 “18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” : the fullness of God made flesh.

Without seeing Him rightly, the foot-washing is just a nice gesture.

B. Three Actions That Dismantle the World’s View of Greatness

He laid aside His garments — Not relinquishing authority, but using it to serve.

He girded Himself with a towel — Accepted not just the work of a servant, but the appearance of one.

He washed their feet — Stooped to the lowest level; the God of the Universe on His knees.

Greatness in God’s kingdom is not determined by how great you become. It is determined by how much you humble yourself before Him and others!

Philippians 2:7–8 KJV 1900

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

C. Application

Believers: Pride shows itself in refusing to live biblically — e.g., refusing to initiate reconciliation

(Matthew 5:23–24 “23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” ).

Begin by seeing who He is and what He has done.

All: The same hands that created all things desire to wash you clean. Let go of ego. Accept His cleansing.

Transition: To walk with Christ, you must leave your pride at the door and let Him wash your feet.

POINT 2: Overcoming Pride Requires Letting Christ Cleanse Us

Text: John 13:6–10 | Support: 1 John 1:8–9

John 13:6–10 KJV 1900

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.

A. The Problem: Pride Refuses Cleansing

Sin collects daily, just like red clay — and the longer it builds up, the heavier it becomes.

Peter’s “Thou shalt never wash my feet” — not humble Peter, but stubborn Peter protecting his ego.

There is vulnerability when the Master stoops to serve you. Pride reacts against it.

B. The Stakes: “No Part with Me” - John 13:8 “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.”

“Part” (Gk.) = an allotted portion, a shared inheritance — our relationship with Christ is a two-way street.

Refusing His cleansing means forfeiting intimacy with Him.

C. The Practice: Daily Confession

Christ washed their feet — the part most in contact with the dirt of the path. He offers to clean what touched the world that day.

The “I’m fine” game: refusing to admit sin is deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8 “8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”).

Daily practice: confess sin, claim 1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Never let the grime of Monday stay in your soul until Sunday.

Transition: Once washed, Christ sends us out with a mission. God’s grace not only cleanses — it empowers us to serve.

POINT 3: Overcoming Pride Is Demonstrated in Our Service to Others

Text: John 13:12–20

John 13:12–20 KJV 1900

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. 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. 19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

The Command (v. 14): “Ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

The Standard (v. 15): Christ is the example. We are to do as He did.

The Promise (v. 17): “Happy are ye if ye do them.” Happiness is bound to obedience, not knowledge alone.

The Obligation: “Ought” = a moral debt. What He has done for you obligates you to do the same for others.

The Hard Test — The Judas Illustration (v. 2):Christ washed every disciple’s feet — including Judas, knowing the betrayal that was coming.

John 13:14–15 KJV 1900

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.

Application:

It is easy to serve people we like. Are you willing to wash the feet of someone who has betrayed you?

Christ didn’t pick and choose. Neither can we. Real joy comes from following His example for everyone we meet.

His kingdom is the opposite of this world’s — not the top dog, but the lowest servant. That is where true joy is found.

CONCLUSION

Summary — Three Demands of the Upper Room:

See Him rightly. The God of the Universe on His knees — when you see Him clearly, your pride has nowhere left to stand.

Receive Him humbly. Peter saw and still said never. Seeing must become receiving. He waits with the basin and towel every day.

Follow Him sacrificially. Once washed, get on your own knees — for the difficult, the ungrateful, and even the ones who have betrayed you.

See Him. Receive Him. Follow Him.

Closing Image:

Jesus rose from the floor, dried His hands, and sat back down at the table. Twelve men. One would betray Him. One would deny Him. The rest would scatter. He knew all of it before He ever picked up the towel.

He washed their feet anyway.

That is who He is. This morning, He stands ready — basin in hand — asking you to let go of your pride long enough to let Him reach your feet.

Will you let Him? HE is the SAME SAVIOR. READY with basin in hand, asking you to let go of your pride long enough to let Him wash your feet.