DRAMA IN THE UPPER ROOM

DRAMA IN THE UPPER ROOM John 13:1-17 With grateful acknowledgement of these sources of direction and inspiration: the Holy Spirit; the Word of God; F. F. Bruce, The Gospel and Epistles of John; Curtis Freeman, "What's That Mean?"; Anne Graham Lotz, My Heart's Cry; John R. W. Stott, The Incomparable Christ; Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew April 4, 2004 Given by: Pastor Rich Bersett [Index of Past Messages] Introductory A little Baptist boy and a little Catholic boy were best friends, and they got parental permission to visit one another's church on two successive Sundays. The Baptist boy attended Mass with his Catholic friend. When they went into the solemn-looking building his friend genuflected in the middle aisle before entering his pew, so the boy asked "What's that mean?" When the priest raised the host in the air, when the people made the sign of the cross and when the incense was dispensed, the Baptist boy asked, "What's that mean?" and each time he got an answer from his helpful Catholic friend. The next week they went to the Baptist church. The little Catholic boy was impressed with the buses full of children, the boisterous songs the people sang and the bulletin he was given. Several times he asked, "What's that mean?" and got an answer from his Baptist friend. Soon the pastor ascended to the pulpit, opened his big Bible and ceremoniously removed his watch and laid it on the pulpit next to the big Bible. The Catholic boy asked, "What's that mean?" His friend answered, "Absolutely nothing!" Let's come together to the thirteenth chapter of John, the account of the washing of the disciples' feet and together ask the Holy Spirit what that means to us. The Drama (verses 1-5 and 12) The Gospel of John is different from the other three Gospels in several respects. One of the most notable differences is in the emphasis John gives to the last week of Jesus' life. A full third of the book (chapters 12-19) is given to a detailed account of the teachings and events of the last week of Jesus' life, culminating in the crucifixion. John, above the other writers, saw and highlighted the drama of Jesus' earthly life and reflected the growing tension of His ministry as it built to the crescendo of crucifixion and resurrection. When we read John's record of that momentous Thursday evening meal in the upper room, we can sense the quickening cadence of the movement toward Calvary and feel the mounting tension among His disciples. "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son" is symbolically played out in this act of Jesus as He washes the feet of His friends and followers. In verses 1-4 we see the picture of Jesus having left His home in heaven and come to earth to seek, save and serve. Verse 4 says, "…so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist." We can see Jesus rising from His throne, laying aside His glory and dressed Himself in the clothing of humanity. Verse 5 goes on: "After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." It isn't hard to see a picture of Jesus humbling Himself and becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2). When Jesus underwent the incarnation, He did it all as a loving act of service. Similarly, this poignant act of service to His disciples, and when He finished, according to verse 12, "he put on his clothes and returned to his place." That was another picture-a demonstrative enactment of the truth that He was about to return to the Father. Verse 1 tells us it was "just before the Passover" which puts this story in the springtime, when the air was balmy and the early spring rains had already turned the inch-thick dust on the Palestinian road into a paste of thick, clingy mud. Sandaled feet didn't have a chance of staying clean. It was the job of the household servant to wash, rinse and dry the feet of guests to the house. Being a borrowed room, normally rented, groups would not have the luxury of a servant. Being rugged men they didn't worry too much about it, and they lumbered into the room, mud-encrusted feet and all. The problem was that they didn't eat as we are accustomed, sitting at a tall table with our feet parked neatly out of sight under the table. They ate at a low table around which they sat on the floor, leaning on their elbows, with their neighbors' feet right by their faces. None of the disciples had thought to offer getting a basin of water and some towels for the customary cleansing, let alone doing this servant's job themselves. They might well have taken it as a mild rebuke when Jesus Himself took on the dirty task. When Jesus stooped to wash the feet of those twelve men, He was illustrating the entirety of His mission. He had already told them, "the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). A missionary and author wrote about the time when he was in the remote mountains of Taiwan. There he met another Navigator missionary who said he had had the privilege of meeting the founder of the Navigators, Dawson Trotman. He said, "I will never forget Dawson Trotman. He was one of the most outstanding men I ever met." So the author asked him what Mr. Trotman had said that impressed him so much. The missionary replied, "Oh, I don't remember anything he said." "Well, what was so outstanding about him?" "I'll never forget it," he said, "He shined my shoes." Dawson Trotman was that kind of person. He loved doing things for people. He found enjoyment in discovering little needs they had and then making it his objective to meet those needs. This is the spirit of Christian service-emptying ourselves of ourselves and serving others in His Name. Toward the end of his life, Albert Einstein removed the portraits of two great, influential scientists from a prominent wall in his home. They were James Clerk Maxwell and Sir Isaac Newton. He replaced their portraits with the portraits of Mahatmas Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer, saying it was time to replace the image of success with the image of service. Greatness in the kingdom of God is measured in terms of obedience to the call to serve others. Jesus personified such greatness in all that He did. Those who are afraid that their lack of greatness might show always act great in hopes of masquerading their way to a great name. The truly great, Jesus said and demonstrated, are only concerned in taking care of others. And in this selflessness true greatness is displayed. The Scandalous Service (verses 6-11) One by one, Jesus makes His way around the table, giving the ancient equivalent of a pedicure to these twelve men, one of them his own betrayer. How many times do you suppose he had to empty that basin and get clean water? I would imagine the disciples were pretty quiet during the ordeal, half out of embarrassment for not having offered themselves to serve and half dumbfounded by the prospect of the Lord of heaven and earth washing their filthy feet. But if anybody is going to break the silence in the room, who do you suppose it would be? Of course! Simon Peter-old "open-mouth-insert-foot" himself. When Jesus comes back with a fresh basin of water and kneels down before him it's all Peter can take, and he protests. He will have none of this-the Master acting like a slave! This was preposterous! And with a pride that was trying hard to look like humility, Peter told Jesus in no uncertain terms, "…you shall never wash my feet" (13:8). Why is it so hard for sinners to take favors? Are we afraid of being indebted to someone? Are we afraid we will look inferior to our benefactors if we accept their kindness? What is it about our sinful condition as human beings that disallows grace? Whatever it is, it's the same stuff that makes it hard for us to accept God's free, no-strings-attached offer of salvation. "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." That simple statement broke the heart of the proud man. The first step in the destruction of pride is this-recognizing that Jesus is Lord, and if He wants to do something one way, it is not our place to suggest another plan. The one thing the lovable, but impetuous Simon Peter wanted was to be near to Christ, to be with Him forever His friend. So when Jesus made it clear, "It's my way or the highway", Peter swallowed his pride. President Theodore Roosevelt's love of the outdoors is well documented. He was responsible for the creation of several national parks and monuments. In his first inaugural address, he spoke freely of the blessings of God upon our nation, saying, "I reverently invoke for my guidance the direction and favor of Almighty God." It's said that when President Roosevelt entertained diplomatic guests at the White House he was fond of taking them out to the back lawn at the end of the day. As the president stood gazing at the night sky, all eyes would eventually be cast heavenward, as his were. In his day, the vast array of stars was not dimmed by the city lights, and the magnificent display of God's brilliant creation would overcome the party. After a long moment, Mr. Roosevelt would say, "Gentlemen, I believe we are small enough now. Let's go to bed." What was Jesus saying to Peter in this sharp comment? What did he communicate that made Peter snap to it? I think He said two things: 1) Pete, you cannot come to me on your terms, only on mine, and 2) Here are my terms: when I direct, you obey. In an instant, Peter heard and understood. We do not come before the Lord in the pride and pretense of who we think we are and stand arrogantly in His holy presence. And to help heal us of our pride He demands the things that humiliate: repentance, acknowledgement of our sin, obedience. And it is so important that we get healed of our pride that He absolutely insists that we come to Him on these terms. I usually picture Christian baptism as an act of humility. Acknowledging publicly that I am a sinner who on my own initiative have no right whatsoever to be reconciled to God, let alone His child and co-heir with Christ, and then being plunged under water by someone else and standing up dripping and water-logged in front of the rest of the church community. Well, that's humbling, any way you slice it. But we have a roomful of people who were happy to go through repentance and baptism. Why? Because being humbled is lots of fun? No, because doing exactly what Jesus wants us to do is the biggest kick life has for us! If we don't let Jesus cleanse us, and cleanse us just the way He wants to, we remain dirty and distant from Him. Jesus told Peter, you have to let me serve you by letting me wash your feet. It was a picture of the larger and even more important truth. Jesus was about to lovingly give His sinless life in order to save us. The ultimate act of love and service. The Model (verses 12-17) It is somewhat of a rare occasion when Jesus does something profound and then says to us what He said to the disciples, "Do you understand what I have done for you?" When Jesus explains His actions to us it means one thing-this is important! Three times in verses 15-17 Jesus emphasizes that what He did was a model for what they will be doing. The most often repeated command of Jesus to His disciples was to serve. Brothers and sisters, we have not become children of God until are hearts are bent in the direction of service to Him and to others in His Name. But I want us to get the idea here that this is service, not just when it is easy or convenient, it is service in the midst of our pain and difficulty. Jesus was not living in ease and serving out of some great comfort level. This was a terrible time in His short life as He faced the cross. When He most needed to be served He got our dirt on His hands. We will be called upon to help others right about the time we feel we need help. Our most significant times of ministry to others is when our own souls need ministry. We are being called to give to others when our own hurts, disappointments and trials have us nearly blinded and sidelined. Here's a challenging word from Anne Graham Lotz: "When you are overwhelmed with problems and pain and pressures, when you're facing the most terrifying challenge of your life, do you look for opportunities to get involved in the needs of others? NO? What do you do? Do you throw a pity party and invite others to come? And do you have a lot of well-meaning "partygoers" who give you cheap sympathy and, in the process, increase your pain and prolong your suffering and deepen your despair because the focus remains on you and your needs? Then it's time for you to stop it. Call off the party, thank the revelers for caring as you show them the door, then drop to your knees and cry out to God, Please, just give me more of Your dirt on my hands!" The most effective way of overcoming our own private battles is deliberately changing our focus from ourselves to Him and to others. Folks, don't let Satan get you into a pity party. Go out and get your hands dirty serving someone in the name of Jesus and watch your own troubles evaporate. Someone suggested ten easy steps for feeling better when you're down: 1) Go out and do something for someone else, and then 2-10) do the same thing nine more times. God made us to serve Him and to serve others. Quit bellyaching and get in there and serve someone! Concluding Exhortation A couple years ago Dr. Robert McQuilken resigned his position as president of Columbia Bible College. He is a well-known, well-loved leader and Christian statesman who walks closely with the Lord, and, whose wife is in the late stages of Alzheimer's. I want to read you the letter he wrote when he resigned: My dear wife, Muriel, has been in failing mental health for about eight years. So far I have been able to carry both her ever-growing needs and my leadership responsibilities at CBC. But recently it has become apparent that Muriel is contented most of the time she is with me and almost none of the time I am away from her. It is not just "discontent." She is filled with fear-even terror-that she has lost me and goes in search for me when I leave home. So it is clear to me that she needs me now, full time. Perhaps it would help you to understand if I shared with you what I shared at the time of my resignation in chapel. The decision was made, in a way, forty-two years ago when I promised to care for Muriel "in sickness and health . . . till death do us part." So, as I told the students and faculty, as a man of my word, integrity had something to do with it. But so does fairness. She has cared for me fully and sacrificially all these years; if I cared for her the next forty years I would not be out of debt. Duty, however, can be grim and stoic. But there is more; I love Muriel. She is a delight to me-her childlike dependence and confidence in me, her warm love, occasional flashes of wit I used to relish so, her happy spirit and tough resilience in the face of her continual distressing frustration. I do not have to care for her; I get to! It's a high honor to care for so wonderful a person. And this is our lesson this morning, summed up neatly in verses 17: "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." [Back to Top]