God's plan for us
"God’s plan for us"
Introduction
Have you ever had someone wash your feet the way that Jesus washed his disciple’s feet? I have. It happened a few years ago when one of the young adults wanted to honour me for my input into his life and for my example to him and to others.
I have to tell you I felt really awkward but allowed him to do it because it seemed the right thing for him at the time.
Why was it awkward? I don't know really but you have to admit that foot washing in that way is not something we do today in our world.
Since then I have come to realise that sincere as this young man was in his desire to honour me the pity of it was that he was doing it for the wrong reason. He had missed the point and significance of what Jesus did and why.
We'll come back to that later
Background
We have already seen our scripture today and in a moment we are going to see a part of it again. But first let's put this into context
What is happening before this passage?
The triumphal entry
What is happening after this passage?
Do not let your heart be troubled
I go to prepare a place for you
I will come back for you
I am the way, and the truth, and the life
no-one comes to the father except by me
Greeks = Gentiles (non Jews)
4 John they represent the scattered people of God
see - ask questions
see - ready to believe i.e. to become "Christian"
signal the end of J ministry in Judaism - he now belongs to the world
Summary of J teaching in chapter 12
believes in me - believes in he who sent me
sees me - sees him
Light - darkness
Not judge but save
my words will be their judge
say what the Father has told me to say
Let's now look again at that scene in the Upper room - what we often refer to as the Last Supper. I want you to look closely and see what strikes you as you watch it
re show the DVD (ch 13 only)
Flashes of insight from chapter 13
I don't intend to go through this verse by verse but here are a few things that struck me as I watched it. I don't intend to say much about them but offer them to you to think about and ponder
Jesus and foot washing
Knowing God had given him complete power & secure in the knowledge of that & who he is he became a servant & washed his disciple feet
Looks of surprise on disciple’s faces as Jesus disrobes preparing to wash their feet
What is he doing?
Dirty feet!
J disrobes to his underwear
If I don't wash your feet you won't be my disciple?
I have set an example for you
How happy you will be if you put it into practice
Bathed = clean
All except 1
Ref to Judas - already knew he would betray him
You call me Lord & Teacher
that is what I am!
common place to Jesus & his followers
like Queen coming and sweeping the floor at my place - just not done
it is the fact that it is Jesus doing this which brings power to this image
Foot washing – young man - awkward - wrong reason
Jesus has given his disciples a concrete image of what it means to be loved
to serve as Jesus served requires humility. It means taking up the "lesser role" for the benefit of someone else.
our service must be motivated by the same power that touched the lives of Jesus disciples. Jesus love & service for us transform and empower us. Without such knowledge we can't wash another’s feet as Jesus would have us
Judas' betrayal
The scripture must come true
Judas goes out at night i.e. in darkness
Upper Room = spiritual turning point in which Jesus was doing profound spiritual work
where God is most deeply at work Satan's attack is that much more acute.
Jesus speaks of his glory (light) - contrast to Judas & darkness
a parable and a warning
Judas saw the light and rejected it and suffered for it.
the "betrayer" is someone who "hands over” Christ to his enemies and who (unwittingly or not) serves the forces of darkness rather than the light.
we too risk misunderstanding Jesus and of being seduced by our own dreams and visions for life.
whoever receives the 1 I send receives me & he who receives me receives the father
Great confirmation for us that when we go in Christ’s name we are leading people to God
Jesus Predicts Peter's denial
The love command
not a suggestion - a command
bears all the weight of the person who uttered it
for John showing Christ's love ranks in importance to having faith in Christ
the command to love has it first application in the church - by this you shall know that you are my disciple if you love one another
nothing astonishes a world as much as finding a community in which radical, faithful, genuine love is shared amongst its members. It is the mandate of the church to become a community of love, a circle of Christ's followers who invest in one another because Christ has invested in them who exhibit love not based on the mutuality and attractiveness of its members but on the model of Christ who washed the feet of everyone including Judas!
For us - we need to show this love for each other - others must see this in us as they come to join us. This is what will attract them & help them stay
Peter - R u really ready to die for me
Conclusion?
R u really ready to die for him
God's plan for us here at Redoubt North
So what does this all mean for us today? Jesus has revealed God's plan to his disciples. What's God's plan for us in the 21st Century?
vision casting
moving into new era w bldg complete - what happens after
Children's ministry
follow his example of loving service - going into the new ministries - what will you do - op to bring in the idea of doing something in the background for ministries? but also the need to look to how you will be involved. - not just pew sitters but participants
a people of love - loving one another and sharing with each other - attractive to the community. Sharing that love with others
removing any barriers between each other. Won't always agree but must disagree in love - look to the bigger picture - what does Jesus want
Conclusion
Jesus' death is not the result of a random act of human injustice; it is part of God's plan of salvation & the means by which his glory is revealed to everyone - incl the Gentiles who came looking for him. Jesus can predict his death because he is committed to serving God's purposes rather than his own interests.
This selfless service is the model for all of us who want to follow Jesus and enjoy eternal life. By putting Jesus washing of his disciple’s feet in his knowledge of God's almighty plan, John shows that it is trust in God that frees us to serve. That Jesus performs such a menial task shows that, as well as his death, his life is characterised by service. While the washing of the disciples' feet symbolised their need of spiritual cleansing, it also illustrates the practical nature of Christian service. Hard and humbling though it may be, it is only by living according to the example of Christ who came as a servant that God's blessing is experienced.
I leave you to ponder these questions
How will you live according to the example of Christ?
What acts of service will you humbly do?
What role will you take in fulfilling God’s plan for Redoubt North?
What role will you take to see the people of this area brought into the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus - the saving grace and knowledge that you know.