Serve One Another

Serving changes our expectations.

v. 1-5

John 13 starts a change in Jesus’ ministry
- The focus shifts from the crowds to the disciples
- Jesus wants to give final instructions because he knows his time has come
Jesus changes our expectations about who serves.
- He shifts his role from dinner host to servant
- This is a deliberate and symbolic act.
He begins washing the disciples feet one by one
- Imagine the thoughts going through their minds.
- This act of service sums up the whole of the life and ministry of Jesus
  - It points us back to his birth.
    - He lowered himself from his position in heaven to dwell among us
  - It points us forward to the cross
    - On the cross he will again give up his rightful place, lower himself in humility, and become the servant to all
  - This picture is captured beautifully in Philippians 2
- I don’t want us to miss that Judas is present for all of this.
  - Even though Jesus knows what is happening in the heart of Judas, Jesus loving ly serves Judas
- Jesus changes our expectations about who we should serve.

v. 6-11

And then he gets to Peter
“you will never wash my feet.”
Peter is shocked by the idea of Jesus serving
Peter is still holding onto his pride and self-sufficiency
Look atthe physical postures of foot washing
- There is an imbalance of power
- Jesus is lowering himself. He’s not in a position of power
At the same time there is vulnerability in the one being washed
It costs both people something

v. 12-17

Why we serve
- Jesus returns to the table and begins teaching
- This is a living parable. An object lesson that they all participated in
You call me teacher and Lord, if I serve you also must serve
Now that you know what it takes, do it.
“We would gladly wash the feet of our Divine Lord; but he disconcertingly insists on washing ours, and bids us wash our neighbor’s feet.” William Temple
- It’s easy for us to see ourselves serving God, or see the worth in washing the feet of Jesus.
Serving has changed us as a church and as individuals