Christ A Humble Servant

Text

John 13:1–5 KJV 1900

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. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 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.

Introduction

His Presentation as King in chapter 12

In John chapter 12 we can see the Lord presenting himself as he parades into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey under the palm branches and cheers of some in the vrowd. When the crowd hears that he is going to be crucified and die they reject him.

John 12:33–34 KJV 1900

This he said, signifying what death he should die. The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

His Humble Expression

As we make our way to the 13th chapter we have an amazing picture of humility, maybe one of the most amazing pictures of humility in all of the Bible.

There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is Lord. His hand are the hands that have fashioned the entire universe. Yet he has condescended to earth and taken the form of a man, for the sole purpose of Glorifying God through the redemption of his creation. Is there anything more significant than this love?

Transition

I. Christ’s Comprehension

Before we can truly appreciate Christ as a humble submissive servant we must comprehend him as God. One of the defining characteristics of God is his omniscience. God knows everything from eternity past to eternity future.

Christ is very God:

John 8:58 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 17:5 KJV 1900

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Colossians 1:17 KJV 1900

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Revelation 1:8 KJV 1900

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

He knew His hour had come

“when Jesus knew”

John 13:1 KJV 1900

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.

This is a reminder to us that the Lord knows everything

His hour had arrived and he was prepared to meet it with purpose and poise

John 12:27–28 KJV 1900

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

He knew victory was promised

John 13:2–3 KJV 1900

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

He knew He would return to the Father

“and that he was come from God, and went to God”

II. Christ’s Condescension

John 13:4 KJV 1900

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

A. His Garments

“and laid aside his garments”

His real garments are kingly garments - a white robe of righteousness

“laying aside” - he was willining to take these garments off

Application: What are we willing to “lay aside”?

Our personal interests

Our hobbies

Our earthly affections

Our love of money

We are to be clothed.... notice these verses:

1 Peter 5:5 KJV 1900

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Laying aside our clothes involves humility and submission - that is what the Lord is demonstrating for us in the most dramatic way. Our God, Our King … laying aside his garments.

B. His Girding

“and took a towel, and girded himself”

This symbolized the fact that Christ was willing to serve

The towel was part of the job to be accomplished

C. His Gesture

John 13:5 KJV 1900

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.

before the priest would enter the temple he would wash in the laver

Imagine the hands of almight God with water washing the feet of the disciples

It was a dirty job - it was a humbling job

Application: We are washed clean by the blood of Christ once and for all the moment we are saved.

1 John 1:7 KJV 1900

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The verse says “cleanseth us from all sin” - All of our sin was completly washed but there is a need for a continual cleansing. We are stuck in this sin cursed world and it does not take long for its dust to cling to our lives and a continual cleansing is thus required.

1 John 1:8–9 KJV 1900

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Water is symbolic of the Word of God

Psalm 119:9 KJV 1900

BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Ephesians 5:25–26 KJV 1900

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

So we see- a continual cleansing will allow us to practically experience the positional cleaning we posess in Christ.

III. Peters Confession

John 13:6–9 KJV 1900

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

A. He was Inquisitive

“doest thou wash my feet?”

Peter begins with a question.

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts

We do not see what he sees “what I do thou knowest not now”

Illustration: Christ is continuing this work as we speak as he interceeds to the Father on our behalf.

1 John 2:1 KJV 1900

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Romans 8:34 KJV 1900

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Hebrews 7:25 KJV 1900

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 9:24 KJV 1900

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Christ follows with an answer

Arthur Pink:

An Exposition of John Chapter Forty-Five: Christ Washing His Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1–11)

Peter, this gives a picture, a sample, of the work which I shall perform for My people when I return to the Father. You do not see the significance of it now, but you will later, when the Holy Spirit has come. This was really a rebuke; but given tenderly.

B. He was Impervious

“thou shalt never wash my feet”

How easy it is to rebuke Peter here

He questioned - then he boldly declined the servile offer

Illustration: We may not use Peter’s words but many times we act them. We know better than to say what Peter said but we havent learned to follow in obedience. Peter defiantly refuses the washing our Lord is prescribing but he quickly repents and what follows is proof!

Matthew 21:28–32 KJV 1900

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

C. He was Insistent

“not my feet only, but also my hands and my head”

Now Peter wants to tell Jesus how to do it

Not my feet but my hands and my head - but Christ never said anything about your hands and head Peter

We can appreciate his change of heart but it was somewhat misguided

John 13:10 KJV 1900

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.

Jesus said - Peter it is your feet that are coming into contact with this world - I have fully cleansed you by the blood - you have been saved - but remember that your feet need to be cleaned regularly so they can bear appropriate resemblance and testimony to this dark world!

Conclusion

Jesus Christ is God and knows all from beginning to end - Christ’s Comprehension

The Lord removed his garments and displayed in humility the heart and habit of a servant - Christ’s Condescension

Peter was typical Peter - bold and brash - You are God he said - you are not washing my feet! - Peter’s Confession

Final Application: