Servants: Not Greater Than the Lord
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
7/1/2018 PM
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Text:
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John 13:12-17
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Psalters: |
15, 242, 207, 366 |
Confession of Faith |
- The significant setting.
- Jesus sent Peter and John to make ready the Passover (Luke 22:7ff).
- In the evening Jesus with the other ten arrived at the room (Mark 14:17) travelling a couple miles over dusty roads.
- On the way the disciples argued among themselves who was the greatest (Luke 22:24-30).
- The real washing [we must see this truth before we will understand the example].
- Without a word, Jesus poured water in the basin, took a towel and went from one to another, washing their feet.
- Jesus used this as the occasion to instruct concerning His real purpose in coming: His love cleanses them from their sin.
- Jesus pointed out to Peter that by refusing the sign, Peter was refusing the reality (8b).
- Jesus speaks to the picture (the foot washing) and to the reality (the thorough washing of regeneration).
- And they are clean, “but not all” (10,11), i.e., not all of them might be saved, though they have the sign – same true: baptism
- Jesus drove the point home after He finished.
- They all knew that He was the Mater and Lord, and they spoke of Him as such (13).
- To believe in the foot-washing-Jesus is to follow His example.
- They must be ready to render to each other whatever service is needful, no matter how lowly it may seem (14).
- Rank in Jesus’s kingdom comes in the willingness to serve.
- The washing of dirty, sweaty, smelly feet is a lesson, demonstrating Jesus loving us to the end (1).
- Jesus concludes by declaring of what happiness consists.