Sermon Tone Analysis

Even in the act of humility, Jesus, the Master Teacher, began to teach.

This question is asked but we have no response.

Why?

Jesus asked this not expecting an answer, but to get their attention to His own answer.

The cleansing had taken place.

Now, the Master began to teach why the cleansing was necessary and the attitude in which the cleansing took place.

The Rabbi was following the precepts of the teaching that had been taught throughout the Jewish history.

Christ saw it fit to explain the signs and sacrifices that were made.

Teacher in the Greek is didaskalos.

We see throughout the gospels that this is what the disciples called Him.

He was addressed as Rabbi by John’s disciples in , Nicodemus (3:2), and teacher by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law (8:4).

Martha called Him teacher (11:28) and Mary Magdalene called Him Rabbi (20:16).

Jesus was aware the disciples called Him teacher.

They also addressed Him as Lord.

The word used is kyrios.

We see it used several times as a respectful term meaning “sir.”

This was used by people who did not realize yet who He was: the Samaritan Woman, the royal official (4:49) the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda (5:7), the crowds (6:34), the woman caught in adultery (8:11), the blind man (9:36) and Mary Magdalene (20:15).

He was also called Lord as something much more than a title of respect and as one that deserved obedience.

When Jesus says you call me Teacher and Lord, He is indicating that the disciples were not only showing respect and obedience, but they should model that which they had been taught.

He is our Redeemer and Savior.

He is our Teacher, our Master and our Instructor.

We call Him such because in reality He is and we should be delighted to do so.

Calling Him Master and Teacher is an obligation to receive and do His instruction.

John 12:14

There as some that have taken this quite literally.

St. Ambrose did ans so made it the practice of the church in Milan.

makes reference to washing one’s feet as one of the good deeds of widows.

This is the only other place in the NT that makes a reference to washing of the feet.

Some churches made it a practice that was part of their regular worship and it became meaninglessness and done for show.

From a figurative standpoint, it is a point of instruction to be willing to serve others in humility.

Jesus is saying to follow His example.

How do we do this?

A great teacher teaches by a great example.

We see the admonition continued also in :

1 Timothy 4:1

Profound truths are often communicated more through emotion and sensory experience than any other means.

How have you learned the example of Jesus through someone else?

We are not greater than the Lord.

Jesus emphasized this also in :

Knowledge is one thing.

However, knowledge that produces action is a great opportunity.

The blessing comes not in knowing but in the doing.

Sounds like another of Jesus’ parables:

Matthew 7:

Luke 6:47-49

What are you building on?