THE GOSPEL OF JOHN IV. THE DISCIPLES’ PREPARATION BY THE SON OF GOD (13:1–16:33) A. THE DISCOURSE IN THE UPPER ROOM (Jn 13:1 – 14:31) 1. The Prelude to the Betrayal (13:1-2) 2. The Washing of the Disciples’ Feet (13:3-17) a. Showing the Example (vv. 3-5) b. Explaining the Example (vv. 6-17)

1) The example misunderstood (vv. 6-11) 2) The example applied (vv )  Read Jn 13:  Now comes the application. ~ It is an argument from the greater to the lesser. ~ Surely, if the Lord of glory is willing to do this, it ought to be easy for mere disciples to render loving service to one another in the spirit of genuine humility!

 One of the ways human pride manifests itself in a stratified society is in refusing to take the lower role. ~ Pride hinders us from fostering the equality which ought to flourish among us. ~ D.A. Carson: “Christian zeal divorced from transparent humility sounds hollow, even pathetic.” ~ Read v. 15 again.

 Is Jesus instituting a new ordinance here, that of feet-washing? ~ No, He is not commanding the disciples to do what He has done; but He has given them an “example” in order that they, of their own accord, may do “as” He has done. ~ What Jesus had in mind was not an outward rite but an inner attitude, that of humility and eagerness to serve.

 Read Jn 13:16.  No emissary has the right to think he is exempt from tasks cheerfully undertaken by the one who sent him, and no slave has the right to judge any menial task beneath him after his master has already performed it. ~ If it was not below the dignity of the Lord, it surely should not be considered below the dignity of the “servant.”

~ This remains true even when the servant is sent or divinely commissioned to function in a high office or to carry out an important task in the Church. ~ William Hendriksen: “If humility is the proper attitude for the Lord and Sender, how unremittingly should not the servant and commissioned individual exercise himself in this grace and grow in it.”

~ To refuse to serve others, to refuse to humble yourself, no matter how high your position, is to place yourself above Jesus.  Jesus taught these soon-to-be leaders that as they labored to spread the gospel, they first and foremost had to be servants to those whom they taught.

~ Today we ought to think of foot washing as an example of servant leadership. ~ Other ways we can show a “foot washing” attitude include: Taking on a menial task or accepting a lesser role. Taking on a menial task or accepting a lesser role. Not insisting on our “rights” or “privileges.” Not insisting on our “rights” or “privileges.” Meeting others’ needs before meeting our own. Meeting others’ needs before meeting our own.

Looking for a job no one else will do and cheerfully doing it. Looking for a job no one else will do and cheerfully doing it. Focusing on the results being achieved, not who is getting credit. Focusing on the results being achieved, not who is getting credit.  Read Jn 13:17.  There is a form of religious piety that utters an enthusiastic “Amen!” to the most stringent demands of discipleship, but which rarely does anything about them.

 Knowledge does not deserve to be called true unless it leads believers to conform themselves to what they know.  The words of Jesus are very clear. ~ FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. (See also Jas 1:22-27; 2:14-26.)  What we have here not a commandment but a very loving and tender declaration. ~ It has been called a promise, but it is even more than that.

~ It is the statement of a fact: THE PRACTICE OF HUMILITY IMPARTS BLESSEDNESS.  The term “blessed” refers to those who are indeed the objects of God’s favor, whether or not they are considered such by other men or even by themselves. ~ The blessedness here spoken of is a matter not (at least, not primarily) of feeling, but of inner spiritual condition or state.

~ The Christian who practises humility possesses this joy whether he is at all times conscious of it or not. ~ Before God, in His eyes, he is blessed. ~ “blessed” – means superlatively blessed, most blessed

 SO, WE ARE BLESSED (HAPPY, JOYFUL, FULFILLED), NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE KNOW, BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT WE KNOW. ~ God’s grace to us finds its completion in the service we, as recipients of His grace, perform for others. ~ We will find our greatest joy in obeying Christ by serving others.