Servants: Not Greater Than the Lord

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: John 13:12-17
Psalters: 15, 242, 207, 366
Confession of Faith
  1. The significant setting.
    1. Jesus sent Peter and John to make ready the Passover (Luke 22:7ff).
    2. In the evening Jesus with the other ten arrived at the room (Mark 14:17) travelling a couple miles over dusty roads.
    3. On the way the disciples argued among themselves who was the greatest (Luke 22:24-30).
  2. The real washing [we must see this truth before we will understand the example].
    1. Without a word, Jesus poured water in the basin, took a towel and went from one to another, washing their feet.
    2. Jesus used this as the occasion to instruct concerning His real purpose in coming: His love cleanses them from their sin.
    3. Jesus pointed out to Peter that by refusing the sign, Peter was refusing the reality (8b).
      1. Jesus speaks to the picture (the foot washing) and to the reality (the thorough washing of regeneration).
      2. 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
  3. Jesus drove the point home after He finished.
    1. They all knew that He was the Mater and Lord, and they spoke of Him as such (13).
    2. To believe in the foot-washing-Jesus is to follow His example.
      1. They must be ready to render to each other whatever service is needful, no matter how lowly it may seem (14).
      2. Rank in Jesus’s kingdom comes in the willingness to serve.
    3. The washing of dirty, sweaty, smelly feet is a lesson, demonstrating Jesus loving us to the end (1).
    4. Jesus concludes by declaring of what happiness consists.