Washing each other's feet - John 13:1-17

Title: Washing each other's feet
Date: March 25, 2007
Text: John 13:1-17

Introduction

- last week we looked at an event that happened in Bethany
- Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed Jesus feet and head with spikenard
- this was a very precious ointment, and cost her roughly a year's wages
- Jesus says that she anointed him for burial, ahead of the event that would happen 6 days later
- in that event, Jesus would die for mankind, and become a sacrifice for us
- in his death he would become the fulfillment of all the sacrifices that had been made for 4000 years since Abel offered a lamb in sacrifice
- the evening before he was taken captive, Jesus celebrated Passover with the disciples, just like Jews still do today
- at the end of the Passover meal, Jesus did something unusual
- he got up, laid aside his outer robe, and wrapped a towel around his waist
- the next thing Jesus did, has huge significance for your life
- it will change the way in which you see yourself, and is essential for your recovery
- John 13:1-17

1. Jesus washed the disciples' feet

- roads were dusty
- example of working at temple mount excavation
- it was the role of a servant to wash the feet of visiting travellers
- Luke 7:44 - Jesus rebukes Simon the Leper that his feet had not been washed
- remember they were probably lying on cushions, rather than sitting at a table
- smelly feet were as embarrassing as today!
- yet Jesus here sets an example for the disciples
- he took on this menial, not very nice job, for the disciples
- he was not too good, or too holy to take on this task

2. Jesus set an example of being a servant

- this Passover evening was not unique for Jesus
- this was not the first time Jesus had served people
- his mission was to serve others, not himself
- his first act of service was to empty himself of his divine attributes and humble himself to become a man, born as a helpless baby
- he provided dinner for 5000 people, and then another time for 3000
- he listened to the hurt and pain of a broken humanity, and brought healing and comfort
- it seems he had a house in Capernaum, yet he lived most of his ministry on the road, sleeping wherever he could
- he was called to be the Messiah, yet he did not serve himself but the people around him
- when he was attacked, he did not respond in kind
- when he was hanging on the cross, struggling to breathe, his mind was on others
- he made arrangements for John to take care of Mary his mother
- he led the thief hanging on a cross next to him, to salvation
- he prayed for those who were killing him, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do"
- and on his shoulders he carried the sins of the world, taking our burden upon himself
- in his final act in this life, his life was poured out for every man who has ever lived
- he had died to his own will, his own desires for an easy life
- instead, Jesus lived as a servant, he lived for others
- Jesus lived as a living sacrifice

3. We too have been called to be living sacrifices

- Romans 12:1 - "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service
- Philippians 2:3 - esteem others better than self
- Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward"
- John 14:12 - we have been called to do the works that Jesus did
- Philippians 2:5 - we have been called to live, and think and act and breathe the way that Jesus did
- Luke 9:1-2 - go and preach the gospel, heal the sick, and set the captives free
- Matthew 6:33 - seek first the kingdom of God, not money, God will supply your needs
- we have been called to live for others, to be living sacrifices
- v.14-15 - we should follow Jesus' example in washing each others feet
- in today's culture, we wear shoes and socks and our feet don't become dusty, dirty and smelly like in Jesus' day
- but Jesus is telling us, if he as our Lord and Master, conducts himself as our servant, we should serve each other too
- that service extends far beyond kneeling in front of each other, and washing each other's feet
- it extends to how we treat each other, from day to day
- it means turning the other cheek when someone offends us, rather than getting our own back
- it means taking on what seem to be menial tasks in order to serve our friends
- it means laying down our life for others, both in our family and outside

4. Jesus offers to wash our feet today

- notice the short conversation Jesus has with Peter, while washing his feet
- v. 6-13
- Jesus says, if he does not wash our feet, we are not part of him
- there is a particular significance to this washing
- Peter then wants his hands and his head washed as well, but Jesus says the feet is sufficient, the symbolism is complete
- 1 Cor 6:11 "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God"
- Heb 10:22 - "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water"
- Rev 1:5-6 - "To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"
- Psa 51:1-2, 7 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin...Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow"
- Isa 1:18 - "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool"
- Jesus is saying to us, come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest
- he is saying, I came to be a servant and I am still your servant
- he invites us saying, allow me to come and wash your feet, though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white and pure as the driven snow

Conclusion

- Jesus came to be a servant to humanity
- he was a servant to the disciples, and washed their feet
- he did this as an example to us, that we too should be each other's servant
- finally, Jesus offers us a cleansing which is permanent, a parole which wipes out our record, a forgiveness that leaves us as white as snow
- are we ready to accept his offer?