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He Serves. John 13: 1-17 p. 993. A Famous Story. Jesus washes his disciples feet. Week 6 of our series: “What of God was one of us?” So far: The Logos COMES! Gives up his divine privileges. Comes to SAVE! Not to condemn. Copies the Father – Perfect Love & Intimacy make them one!
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He Serves John 13: 1-17 p. 993
A Famous Story... • Jesus washes his disciples feet. • Week 6 of our series: “What of God was one of us?” • So far: • The Logos COMES! Gives up his divine privileges. • Comes to SAVE! Not to condemn. • Copies the Father – Perfect Love & Intimacy make them one! • He gives LIFE! But requires hard decisions of us! • Willing to DIE! Life in the world nothing – life in eternity everything!
1. An Outrageous Act • Stunned silence and embarrassment • John the Baptist (Jn 1:26-27) ... • “things of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie” • The lowliest of lowly tasks. • Simon Peter explodes with embarrassment: • [lit] “You will never wash my feet, not in all eternity!”
1. An Outrageous Act ... “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (v 8)
2. Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. • Within 24 hours Jesus will be dead! • Jesus knew: • The hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father (v 1) • The Father had put all things under his power (v 3) • He had come from God and was returning to God (v 3) • [ who was going to betray him (v 10)]
2. Unless I wash you, you have no part with me ... • There had been a dispute amongst the disciples (Luke 22:24-26) • Who would be the greatest? • They could not serve until they got it sorted out – in the Spirit! • Our service, like theirs, and like Jesus’ is based on: • Who we are in Christ • Where we are going through Christ • What God has done for us • The rights and privileges bestowed on us
2. Unless I wash you, you have no part with me ... • We wash other’s feet because he first washed ours • “Having loved his own who were in the world he loved them to the end” (v 1) • The Philippines’ Bible Student and the dirty washrooms. “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (v 8) “Then Lord, not just my feet, but my hands and head as well.” (v 9)
3. You also should Wash one another’s feet • Jesus asks: “do you understand what I have done for you?” (v 12) • What did Jesus do? He instituted a mindset, an attitude of sacrificial service and servanthood. • You should do it for one another • Immediately Jesus predicts Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial.
3. You also should Wash one another’s feet ... We don’t wash the feet of people who’ve earned it We wash the feet of people who need it • What is washing feet? Doing for others, for one another, whatever is needful for them to know the grace and love of God. • The story of early church growth – serving the sick !
Wash one another’s feet . . . It’s not a gift of the Spirit It’s not easy or convenient It’s not rewarding or self-actualizing • We wash feet because: • of who we are in the Kingdom of God • of the love of God overflowing within us • we are servants of the Master
Wash one another’s feet . . . “Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them.” (v 17)