CCF: So That You May Know the Servant

John 13:1-17

Bro. Popit Aragones

John chapter 13 accounts Jesus’ upper room discourse with His disciples on the night before His death. He gave final instructions to prepare them for His death and resurrection, events that would change their lives forever. In this chapter Jesus modelled servanthood by washing the feet of His disciples, one of the lowliest task reserve only for slaves during their time.

The act of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples exposes the heart of the disciples. Jesus wanted them to realise that they have heart issues and that is PRIDE. The kind of pride that stems out from self-righteousness. 

PRIDE. Nowadays, the face of pride changes from a vice or wickedness to a face of virtue. 

Pride resides in each one of us in varying degrees. Pride hinders us from seeking God. Most importantly, it takes away the glory due for God. While the sin of pride is often overlooked by our society, God takes the sin of pride very seriously.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished. - Proverbs 16:5

“Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” Declares the Lord God of hosts, “For your day has come, The time when I will punish you. “The arrogant one will stumble and fall With no one to raise him up; And I will set fire to his cities And it will devour all his environs.” - Jeremiah 50:31-32

Satan fell because of pride because he desired to be like God and not a servant. It was through pride that the devil became the devil. 

Pride Paralyses. It cripples us from loving and serving one another truthfully. It removes our focus on God and others and imprisons us from our own selfish desires. Be very careful not to rob the glory that is rightful to God alone.

Got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. - John 13:4-5

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:26-28

So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realise now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” - John 13:6-8

Genuine Humility Enables. It allows us to go beyond our borders, to love and serve others unconditionally. Despite of Jesus’ deity, He emptied Himself and took the form of a servant so He can serve His disciples. Genuine humility is not a sign of weakness but strength. An expression of God’s grace through us, His children.

Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. - Matthew 23:12

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” - James 4:6

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. - Matthew 16:24

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. —CS Lewis

Jesus gave emphasis on the difference of bathe and wash. Similarly for people who accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour, they are totally cleanse by His blood but still needs the continuous cleansing of their feet daily. Because as we continue to walk in this world, we make actions, decisions and thoughts that make our feet dirty again. 

As Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He taught us that we are ought to do the same for other people as well. To love and serve in humility for the glory of God.

Pride paralyses but genuine humility enables.

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