The Servant King
John 17:1-17
Introduction
Did you know that you could actually reach higher ground by bowing low? You can descend in such a way so as to actually reach higher elevations!
Jesus showed how… On the last night that He spent with His disciples before being crucified, Jesus taught some profound lessons in a simple act of service. He had taught them these truths before… but in a vivid way, He lived it out before them so that they could experience it. What did He do? He washed His disciples’ feet.
We’ll look at the events leading up to this event. Jesus had entered Jerusalem on Sunday, and on Monday had cleansed the temple. Tuesday was a day of conflict as the religious leaders sought to trip Him up and get evidence to arrest Him. These events are recorded in Matthew 21-25. Wednesday was probably a day of rest, but on Thursday He met in the Upper Room with His disciples in order to observe the Passover.
The emphasis in John 13:1-3 is on what our Lord knew
Verses 1-3 is the opening section and in it we see that Jesus knew 3 things.
1. Jesus knew His time had come
John begins his account with a simple statement of the situation as it existed at that time, pointing out that “Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end”. What was this divinely appointed “hour”? It refers to the time when He would be glorified through His death, resurrection, and ascension. From the human point of view, it means suffering; but from the divine point of view it meant glory. He would soon leave this world and return to the Father who sent Him, Jesus having finished His work on earth (John 17:4). Jesus knew ahead of time that He must leave His disciples. And he wanted to prepare them to face whatever issues might arise in the days ahead. And certainly the drastic events immediately following proved the need of such preparation.
2. Jesus knew of the betrayal by Judas
Satan had entered into Judas, and had given thoughts for Judas to lead the arrest. The word “put” literally means “to throw”, just as one throws a stone with great force into a lake, Satan had made Judas suddenly become obsessed with an overpowering impulse to betray Jesus. This was because Judas was an unbeliever and didn’t have a “shield of faith” to ward of Satan’s attacks. But through all this Jesus remained calm, for He knew that this was all in God’s master plan.
3. Jesus knew He had all things in His hands
In verse 3 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands”. John emphasizes the fulfilment of God’s plan and Jesus’ control of the situation. Even though Jesus had all things through His Father, He was poor yet rich. Because of who He was, He knew where He came from, what He had, and where He was going. He was in total control of the situation. Jesus wasn’t insecure with the whole situation. How do you become insecure? Insecurity occurs, when we put all our trust and faith in ourselves, and not putting it all on God. You and I as believers know that we have been born of God, that we are one day going to God, and that in Christ we have all things; therefore, we ought to be able to follow our Lord’s example and serve others.
Main
In John 13:4-5 is on what our Lord did.
What Jesus knew helped determine what Jesus did (John 13:4-5). The reaction of the disciples would have been one of shock. Jesus, their Master had finished supper, lay aside His outer garments even He was as to lay aside His life, wrap a towel or a slaves apron around His waist, take a basin of water, and start washing their feet and drying them with the towel, the outward badge of His servitude. This was a menial task. Even Jewish servants didn’t wash their masters’ feet, but Gentile slaves might have done it. As it was meant to be a servant’s job and there was no servant there, nor did anyone volunteer for the job, Jesus took it upon Himself to do this menial task. Jesus’ action was done deliberately to teach 2 lessons. 1) It was a lesson on humility, but also 2) set forth the principle of selfless service that was so soon to be exemplified in the cross. Luke says that in rebuking the disciples over a quarrel concerning who would be the greatest, Jesus said; “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). Jesus’ life of service would culminate on the cross. This sacramental action Jesus is showing illustrates the cleansing power of His death.
Application
What Jesus did was truly amazing. How many “kings” of today do you know even think of opening a door for their employee? Or allow them to sit in a comfortable chair, or even buy them lunch? Could you imagine it if Bill Gates would give free computers to someone who can’t afford it? Or how about if Sadam Hussein would wash the feet of His generals or even infantry? Pretty hard to imagine isn’t it? Well there is one easy and simple explanation for this. They are lacking 2 major things in their lives that prevents them from achieving these things. 1) HUMILITY and 2) The saving Grace of God. Jesus, is King above all kings, Lord above all lords, Master, Creator, and King, and yet through all that, He was born in a feeding trough for animals. He had no crib, and was born in a very non-sterile environment. Do you think James Packer was born in a situation like that? That is what makes our Lord unique. In the sense that he was a King born in a manger. Though he was physically poor, He had all things through His Father. And though He had enough power to do anything He wanted to, he used gentleness (power under control) and he showed HUMILITY.
The Father had put all things into the Son’s hands, yet Jesus picked up a towel and a basin. His humility was not born of poverty, but of riches. He was rich, yet He became poor (2 Cor 8:9) For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. A Malay proverb says, “The fuller the ear of rice-grain, the lower it bends”.
Peter’s reaction
The Protest
When Jesus came to wash the feet of Peter, he protested. He protested because he didn’t understand what Jesus was doing, he regarded it as an act of what a servant would do, which was correct in one sense, but had a deeper more spiritual meaning to it. In making this protest Peter was in fact displaying the pride of unredeemed men and women, who are so confident of their ability to save themselves that they refuse to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. They desire to do everything for themselves. Peter, here, would rather wash Jesus’ feet that Jesus wash his. McGregor said “Peter is humble enough to see the incongruity of Christ’s action, but proud enough to dictate to his master” Here humility and pride gets mixed up. He’s asking here, Lord what are you doing? Jesus points out to him that the full significance of this washing will become clear to Peter hereafter, i.e. after the crucifixion and resurrection. But Peter persists with the protest, “Thou shalt never wash my feet”. Jesus then tells him “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me”. So basically what Jesus is saying here is that if you don’t accept this there will be nothing in common between them, and that their companionship must be forever abandoned.
The Acceptance
To go from the extreme of complete refusal, to the extreme of complete acceptance, Peter now says not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. He’s saying it’s all or nothing Lord, turn the shower on, I want it all. But Jesus said v10. The word “wash” used in John 13:5-6, 8, 12 and 14 means to “wash a part of the body”. (niptô). But the word “washed” in John 13:10 means “to bathe all over”. (louô). The distinction is important, for Jesus was trying to teach His disciples the importance of a Holy walk. Peter is right in thinking that it is a more complete cleansing that Jesus wishes to effect, but he does not understand that the washing by Jesus of his feet is in fact a symbol of total cleansing. Jesus therefore reminds him that a man who has bathed has no need of further washing, but is entirely clean. Those who are humble enough to receive what Jesus in His humility is ready to do for them, those, in other words, who are willing to accept the cleansing which His own submission to death makes available for them, are wholly clean. No other washing is required; no further means of salvation are necessary. Morris said “Such a cleansing as you indicate is not necessary the one who has thrown in His lot with me, who has identified himself with me, who has been washed by me, has no need to supplement that washing”. He has been totally cleaned. If I clean you it’s done. You don’t need to find another comprehensive way to be cleaned.
Application
We often resist what the Lord is doing with us – we don’t understand it at the moment, so we pull away. But all things happen in our lives for a purpose. For example, we wonder why God didn’t allow us to go on holidays on a specific time, or why He wouldn’t allow us to buy “that” car. Just as Peter says, “You shall never wash my feet”, so we say, “Lord, you shall never run my life” or “Lord, you shall play no part in the decisions that I make”. Notice how in those sentences it is always “my” or “I”. That is because we are lacking in what Jesus had, and that was humility. Peter usually spoke and acted before thinking. Peter was probably trying to convey His high regard for Jesus. Despite what all the other disciples did, he wasn’t going to let the promised Messiah stoop to such a level to clean his dirty feet! …And yes, Judas had his feet washed as well, but it wasn’t a louô wash.
Jesus explains the meaning
The question
Jesus asked the disciples if they understood what He had done, and it is not likely that they did.
The answer
So, he explained it; He had given them a lesson in humble service, an example for them to follow. The world thinks that happiness is the result of others serving us, but real joy comes from serving others in the name of Christ. The world is constantly pursuing happiness, but that is like chasing a shadow, it is always beyond your reach. The world’s definition of happiness is based primarily on self, what can other’s do to make me happy, what can I gain from others. This is not true happiness. We should instead look to make others happy, by first meeting their needs, we should first help others, and then we will find true happiness. The great example was that of Jesus, whose service is a reminder of how we should live our lives.
The command
In verse 14 Jesus is using His example as one that the disciples should follow. Go and serve others, “wash their feet”. Do as I have done to you and humble yourselves and do the duties of a servant. He used the example, “If I your Lord and Master” to show that no one is too high to that of a servant, and it shows in verse 16. If the servant is not greater than his master, and if the master becomes a slave, where does that put the slave? On the same level as the master. By becoming a servant, the Lord didn’t push us down: He lifted us up! He showed Humility, self sacrifice, and importantly service.
The result
True happiness. It is not enough to know these things. In the second part of the verse it says that you will be happy if you do them as well.
Conclusion
What can we gain out of this? Nothing! It is what others can gain through the things we do for them. Jesus showed one of the greatest lessons man could learn from this chapter. It was the lesson of Christian service, and to achieve it we all need something that the Lord had…humbleness. Though the Lord had everything, He still was humble enough to get down on His knees, and start washing His disciples feet, even Judas’, the one who would betray Him. Jesus here shows that we should not only serve our friends, but our enemies also. One thing we should’ve gained from this is the love of God toward us. The world sees love in a different way to the way a Christian should. Here are a few examples of worldly love:
· I’ll love you as long as you love me…
· I’ll love you as long as we’re happy with one another…
· I’ll love you as long as it’s convenient for me…
· I’ll love you as long as times are good…
· I’ll love you as long as you give me something in return…
· I’ll love you as long as your health (or looks) stays good…
· I’ll love you as long as you do what I say…
A major contrast is the love of God:
· God’s love is an unconditional love.
· God’s love is a committed love.
· God’s love is a forgiving love.
· God’s love is an eternal love.
· God’s love takes initiative – instead of being passive.
· God’s love focuses on giving, rather than receiving.
Jesus didn’t have to get down on His knees and wash his disciple’s feet! But He did because He loved them to the very end. And He wanted to express that to them.
Application
So what does this love look like in our everyday live?
· Actively asking your children and grandchildren about their homework.
· Taking the initiative to break the ice with someone by a phone call, letter, or visit over coffee so that you can begin a relationship.
· Taking your teenage daughter or granddaughter out “on a date” and just talk and listen to the things that interest her – not you!
· When the baby cries in the middle of the night, you get up, so Mama can get some rest – instead of just rolling over and acting like you don’t hear her.
Because when you do these kinds of things you are taking the initiative to “wash the feet” of somebody, not because you have to, but because you really love them.
Illustration: George Washington
During the American Revolution a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a small defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions, but making no attempt to help them. When the rider asked why the shouting man wasn’t helping the other soldiers, he retorted with great dignity, “Sir, I am a corporal!”
The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the exhausted soldiers. When the job was done, he turned to the corporal and said, “Mr. Corporal, the next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, go to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again.” (It was none other than George Washington.)
None of us are too high and mighty to be expected to chip in and serve in humility.
Finally, what does this humility look like?
· Signing up to clean the church, even though most people will never realize it…
· Helping to set up chairs before an event, even though you are one of the organizers…
· Withholding the urge to constantly “correct” everyone who may be sharing from his or her heart, because you happen to be an authority in the topic of conversation…
· It’s letting your husband repeat his favourite stories without interrupting him.
· Sometimes it is a matter of simply saying, “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Do you have Christ-like humility? Do you want to serve others because they will think more of you, or is it because you want to do what Christ did, and “wash their feet?” Are you living a life to please God or man? Are you constantly looking for what people can do for you, rather than looking for what you can do for others? Remember, Jesus, the Master, became the Servant…The Servant King.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
