The Humble Servant

Background

John 13-17 starts a new phase in Jesus Ministry Life-

It is comprised of about 24 hours of time but consists of about 1/4 of the book of John

It is an important period, called “His Upper Room Ministry to the disciples”

He has departed from public ministry and now ministering His heart to the disciples

Prepares them for his death on the cross and the work they would do after his ascension.

Pregame meeting

John 13:1–2 (NKJV)

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

The Humble Servant Loves Completely

V:1- He Loved them to the end: (Telos) He loved them to the uttermost; Continually (No end in Sight)

Persevered in love till he ascended

V:1- Jesus knew that His Hour had come that he should depart

His Hour- Was the time for Him to take up His Cross

Single Focus- Despite knowing his hour had come he was focused on intentionally loving and ministering to His disciples

He wasn't sulking in the corner having a pity-party

He wasn’t event packing and bags preparing to go somewhere far better

He was focused on demonstrating love to his disciples

Preparing them for His crucifixion- (Would rock their world)

Gearing them up for the ministry after his ascension

Running through the Finish Line in a long race…(Crawling in)

No matter the pain/agony/anguish you face, you push through...

Persisted in loved till the point of death

John 15:13 “13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

V:1- Having loved his own who were in the world...

These are his friends…His disciples

That includes Judas...

Who he knew would betray him.

For God so loved the WORLD (Judas, You, and I)- John 3:16.

His love did not have any contractual clauses or any disclaimers of ways out.

This offer is not valid in Hawaii or Alaska or to employees or families of employees and only available while supplies last...

THE HUMBLE Servant LOVES COMPLETELY

John 13:3-5

“3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

The Humble Servant Cares about People not Position

John 13:6-11

“6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.””

The Humble Servant Reveals the way to be completely clean

John 13:12-17

“12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

The Humble Servant details our duty as servants

Learning the Word

Read John 15:1-8, what is the message that Jesus is trying to communicate to Peter in John 13:7-10?

What does it mean to abide in Christ?

Investing In relationship

How can we learn from Jesus’ example of loving the disciples “till the end”?

How can we apply that principle to our relationships, even when the people we are loving don’t realize what we are communicating to them or how we are persevering to love them? (John 13:7&11)

Following the way of Christ

What does Jesus specifically tell the disciples to learn and follow as their Lord and teacher in John 13:13-15.

How can you practically demonstrate these characteristics in a culturally relevant way like Jesus did?

Engaging your world

What is the reason that Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 that he has made a deliberate choice to live a life of humility and service to others?

How have you seen this open doors to communicate the Gospel in your life?