Confident to Serve

Introduction

It’s an old story. Sydney J. Harris was a longtime journalist and syndicated columnist. His death in 1986 was quickly followed by anecdotes of those who spent time with him. One in particular caught my attention. Harris and a colleague were headed to work in Chicago. Harris stopped to buy a newspaper from a newsstand. He spoke pleasantly to the attendant. But the attendant was snappy and inconsiderate. No smile. No thank you. Simply whipping the newspaper toward Harris. Harris paid for his newspaper and told the clerk to “have a pleasant day” which was only met with a grunt and snort that reflected that such was going to be impossible. As they walked away from the newsstand, Harris’ companion asked him how he could be so congenial toward someone who had been so curt and hateful. Harris responded “Why should I allow one man’s sour demeanor affect my own.”

In one of his columns Harris wrote: When you run into someone who is disagreeable to others, you may be sure he is uncomfortable with himself; the amount of pain we inflict upon others is directly proportional to the amount we feel within us. Perhaps he wrote those words in response to the newsstand incident. This illustrates that how we respond and act toward people says more about ourselves than it does about the other person.

The person who says “I have every right to be angry because of the way I have been treated” says more about their own behavior and emotions than about the person who inflicted the pain. Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount remind us that those who belong to him act and respond differently. We understand that we have a higher calling. That the things of this life do not create our thoughts and actions. That we are listening to the call of God who sets the direction and tone for our lives in this world. This is not easy. In fact, it takes far more courage and self-control to follow the ways of God than to act in the way the world encourages us to act.

The world says if someone hurts you, then retaliate. The world says if you see an opening to better yourself take it without thinking about how it will affect others. After all you deserve better. The world says that if the person you are married to doesn’t make you happy find another mate. The world promotes selfishness. The world endorses a self-centered approach to life. But we listen to our God who has called us to serve others. To lower ourselves so that others may be encouraged. If we believe that call (and the last three weeks we have been allowing God’s word persuade us that this is true) then how do we serve? How do we seek God’s way when there is such a desire for us to win; be on top? As we study today we are going to look at Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples. He has something to teach us about how to serve.

The Event

For three years Jesus has ministered to people. For three years he taught, healed, encouraged, and rescued so many. The final days are upon him. And in these final days he has two desires—to honor his Father and to spend time with his closest friends. So they will eat the Passover meal together. A time to remember God’s deliverance so long ago is going to be given a fuller meaning. The purpose is the same—deliverance. But this time it is not physical deliverance but spiritual deliverance.

Jesus and his disciples enter into a room that has been prepared for them to share this meal. And in this room filled with 13 men who have spent the last three years together, Jesus does something which is absolutely unbelievable. After sharing this meal together, Jesus takes off the coat of a teacher and puts on the towel of a slave. And one by one he washes the feet of his closest friends. In those days folks would have eaten the meal reclining at a table. Leaning on the left elbow, the feet would have been stretched out away from the table. Typically, the feet would have been washed before the meal but since there was no servant available to do that the basic expression of hospitality had been put off.

The host would have provided a slave for such an activity. The washing of feet would have been a menial task. Two basins would have been used. Water from one small basin would be poured over the feet while the second larger basin would have collected the water and then the towel would be used to dry the feet. Such an act was considered demeaning thus the reason why a slave was used. The Talmud (a Jewish commentary about Scriptures) suggests that only non-Jewish servants should do the foot washing because the very act was beneath the dignity of even a Jewish slave.

So when Jesus gets up and begins doing the very task which was below the dignity of Jewish slave, you can imagine what happened in that room. Notice verses 14 & 15. Jesus knew who he was with his disciples—he was Lord and Teacher. Lord is used to refer to God in some texts. Jesus knew his role; so did the disciples. If the Lord and teacher is willing to do the task that is beneath the dignity of a Jewish slave, then I want you to do the same thing in regards to each other. Verse 15, this example was to be replicated by his followers. After all no servant is greater than his master. If the master will do the lowliest of tasks then those who are less than the master must be willing to do the lowliest of tasks as well.

But How?

We watch Jesus. We see him do what he does. We are challenged by the very act. We even get the point. But how? How are we able to do that which is the lowliest of tasks. Notice two parts of the text. Look at verse 3. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God. Jesus knew his true status and position. It was because he knew who he was and what was going to happen that he could wash the feet of his disciples including the one who was going to betray him.

We act like we have to prove something. We have to convince others of who we are and what we have to offer. The one who recognizes that we are here for God and will one day return to God needs to prove nothing about self.

The real servant knows that there is no indignity done to one’s character except when one refuses to serve. How do we serve? Service is a response of who we are in connection to God. We may lose our focus. We may think of ourselves in lofty terms. We may think that God is blessed to have us.

But the one who knew who he was had no embarrassment in doing the most menial of tasks not to make a point but to express how deep his love was. The one who was going to lay aside his life for all of God’s creation laid aside his garment to show his friends how much he loved them.

Out of his confidence he humbled himself. Some are not confident about who they are in relationship with God.

One other thing to notice. When Jesus approaches Peter in verses 6-11 to wash his feet, Peter’s reaction is to note that things are out of order. While he isn’t willing to take on the task he knows that Jesus shouldn’t be doing it. So out of his embarrassment and pride he resists the Lord. Some of us are like Peter, too proud to accept what Jesus wants to give. Look at Jesus’ response in verse 8 “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John’s gospel is filled with words which carry a double meaning. Such is the case here. Wash carries the idea of physical washing but it also has the meaning of cleansing and Jesus’ words that cleansing must take place in order to be connected to him demonstrates that a person must admit that they are dirty.

Peter’s pride didn’t want Jesus to continue the washing. But Jesus says to Peter and to all who want to follow him that without an admission that we are dirty one cannot be connected to Jesus.

Jesus does for Peter and for us all what only he can do—wash us and to make us clean. And they way he does that is by laying aside his life for us all. The one is Lord became death for us so that we might live. Serving us; we live. When we serve others, like Jesus, we assist others in living. We receive God’s favor when we serve like Jesus.

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