March 13, 2022: John 13:1-11, "From the Ashes: Humility"

From the Ashes

Prayer: “God, help me to identify with Jesus by the way I treat people. Whenever I am tempted to think more of myself than I ought, remind me of my position before you. Help me to see others as worthy of my love and service. Remind me that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you by serving others.”

Scripture: John 13:1-11

American poet and Pulitzer Prize-winner Edwin Arlington Robinson used to spend his summers at the MacDowell Colony near Peterborough, New Hampshire. Arriving at breakfast one morning, he found the writer Nancy Byrd Turner and a new member of the colony already seated at his table. "This is Mr. Robinson," said Turner to her companion.

"Robinson! Not E.A. Robinson -- not the Mr. Robinson?" gushed the other woman.

There followed a long, uncomfortable pause, then Robinson replied, "A Mr. Robinson."

This is a story, an example of humility, that invites our admiration of Edward Arlington Robinson. A story like this doesn’t need any explanation because we all understand what’s going on. It reminds us of Paul’s encouragement in Romans 12:3 that says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

We want to be humble, to be helpful, to think of others more so than we think of ourselves. And today we get an opportunity to learn from the example of Christ. The King of kings and Lord of lords who humbled himself and conquered death so that we might experience abundant life.

Scripture

Let’s stand today for the reading and the hearing of God’s Word:

John 13: 1-11

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

And may glory be the God for the reading and the hearing of His Word this morning, “Thanks be to God.” You may be seated.

Listen to Paul’s words from Philippians 2 in regards to humility;

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5

Paul’s encouragement is for believers to be like Christ.

For our attitudes to be like His.

Our actions to mirror His.

On the one hand you could say, “Yeah that’s easier said than done, you’re talking about the very son of God!” And on the other hand, Paul goes on to list out for us the attitudes and actions we should model;

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:5-8

Here are some specifics Paul identifies in Jesus and I believe we can all get on board with them;

Don’t take advantage of your position. Or said another way, don’t lord yourself over others. Most all of us are leaders in some area of our lives at some point in our lives. We will all have opportunities to take advantage of others, but Paul is reminding us here that Jesus had all the power and opportunity in the universe to use His position to His advantage and instead, He chose to lay it all aside.

Once upon a time a rider came across a few soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log of wood without success. The corporal was standing by just watching as the men struggled.The rider couldn’t believe it. He finally asked the corporal why he wasn’t helping.

The corporal replied: “I am the corporal. I give orders.” The rider said nothing in response. Instead, he dismounted his horse. He went up and stood by the soldiers and as they tried to lift the wood he helped them. With his help, the task was finally able to be carried out.

Who was this kind rider?

The rider was George Washington, the Commander-in-chief.

Serve others. When Christ laid aside His royal position He chose instead to become a servant. Throughout His earthly ministry Jesus gave himself to the needs of others. We’ll get into this point more later.

Give your life away. Jesus’ humility led Him ultimately to the cross. We are all familiar with this story, but what about your story. Where are you holding on too tightly to all the things you want; your kingdom, your things, your dreams and aspirations?

What do you need to let go of? Where, or who can you give your life to this coming week?

Reba McEntire once said in her song “Love Isn’t Love Until You Give It Away”,

Love isn't love till you give it away

Love isn't love till it's free

The love in your heart

Wasn't put there to stay

Oh love isn't love till you give it away

You might think love is a treasure to keep

Feeling to cherish and hold

But love is a treasure for people to share

You keep it by letting it go

Cause love can't survive

When it's hidden inside

And love was meant to be shared

Humility isn’t as much a destination to be reached as it is an attitude to be embraced.

And, it’s an important attitude, posture, and way of living to God.

As evidenced in the life of Christ and in the number of different times and places the Bible encourages humility and gives warning to the destructive nature of pride.

While I don’t have time today to go through an exhaustive list, I do have time to hit some highlights and encourage you to set aside your own time for further study.

We already heard from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians, so here’s what Peter says about humility;

“ ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5-6

James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, quotes the same old testament passage that Peter does when he says;

“ ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’

Both of these New Testament church leaders are encouraging humility and both men quote the same passage from Proverbs 3:34 when they describe God opposing the proud and giving grace to the humble.

Now obviously no one here wants God opposing them, which is a strong enough argument in itself to promote humility and selflessness. But let me take it a step further for you today. Turn with me to Psalm 138:6 which says,

“Though the Lord is on high He looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.”

That’s the NIV translation, the NLT gives it even further clarity;

“Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but He keeps His distance from the proud.”

Although George Whitefield disagreed with John Wesley on some theological matters, he was careful not to create problems in public that could be used to hinder the preaching of the gospel. When someone asked Whitefield if he thought he would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield replied, "I fear not, for he will be so near the eternal throne and we at such a distance, we shall hardly get sight of him."

In Psalm 138, God distances himself from the prideful. Pride and arrogance are incompatible with humility.

And with that in mind, let’s come back to John 13 where Jesus washes the disciples feet.

Let’s come back around to today’s Scripture in John 13.

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

At the end of verse 13:1 John records Jesus showing them the full extent of His love. Later in the chapter John records Jesus saying,

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:14-17

So Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords got down on his knees, filled up a basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples.

The washing of feet was an incredibly lowly act of service, as the feet were considered to be the dirtiest, most unclean part of the body at the time.

There is much to be taken from the example Jesus set here, but here’s where I think it gets incredibly poignant.

Jesus wanted the disciples to know how much He loved them.

So he took the position of a simple house servant and washed their dirty feet clean. He did this to show that no one is too important to get down and serve another. He did this to show His love and care for the disciples.

His example in John 13 is recorded for the church today too. So we can see and know the heart and character of our Savior.

So it begs the question today...

Who do you need to serve this week?

Where might you need to confess your pride?

How will the example of Christ impact your daily routine starting tomorrow morning?

Jesus was our humble servant. He experienced one of the most gruesome, brutal deaths that we can imagine so that we would never have to experience death. He died for us. And now, He gives us the opportunity to receive Him into our hearts as we believe in Him.

SALVATION POEM