Basin Living
John 13:1-17
Aristotle is credited with saying, "The soul never thinks without a picture". He's right. When I have an idea or memory there is always an image that makes up that thought.
The passage we studied yesterday is a familiar one but it requires the reader to make a mental picture for maximum impact.
When I think of being served the first thing that comes to mind is the country club member. The scene involves a cigar chomping retiree who has spent an enormous amount of money on a membership that gives him instant access to whatever his golf-bag-toting heart desires. Whether it be drinks, food, or companionship he gets what he wants, instantly.
Western culture instructs us that money is power. We also quickly learn that education can solve any problem and propel the apt pupil to society's forefront. The moral of the success story is that the more you have achieved the more you deserve. The formula looks like this: I win = I get. Simple. For those who would not consider themselves above average the allure is comparable. Everyone understands we are to look out for ourselves and to secure our own interests no matter who we are, right? This philosophy flies in the face of biblical teaching.
In Philippians 2:1-4 Paul writes that we need to put others ahead of ourselves just like Jesus Himself did. In I Peter 5 the letter's namesake instructs his readers to "clothe themselves with humility". Interesting words coming from Peter.
Peter, along with the rest of the apostles, had a habit of fighting over who would be sitting at Jesus' right hand in the Kindgom. Even 24 hours before Jesus was to be crucified the boys were at it again (Luke 22). John 13 provides a different perspective of the same event.
The frame for the picture is the Passover Feast. It was an annual celebration remembering Israel's rescue from Egypt. This was a sacred time for Jews. Jesus and his guys were together to celebrate the meal in a second story room somewhere in Jerusalem. Luke explains their argument while John points out that while they were eating Jesus silently gets up, removes his outer robe, wraps an apron/towel around his waist and precedes to wash the feet of the disciples.
The service of foot washing was reserved for the lowest of servants in any pecking order. For the Master, or anyone else in a position of authority, to perform this task was unheard of. The streets were not paved with blacktop but an unseemly mix of dirt, mud, urine and excrement both animal and human. For a people group who wore open footwear you can imagine what their feet looked and smelled like. It was customary to have your feet washed even if you needed to do it yourself; which the disciples and Jesus were no doubt used to.
Jesus turns the tradition on its ear. He demonstrates the attitude that ought to drive each one that calls himself a Christ follower. Humility. There are three lessons to take with us as we study this picture.
1. Make love a pursuit not just an idea. John 13:1 says that Jesus loved his followers to the uttermost. He loved them completely and he showed them what that looks like. Within one full day he would show the whole world what love looked like when he was nailed to a cross. After he finished washing their feet he told them in 13:34 their mission was to love one another so the world would know they followed Christ. The principle is simple if we love we will act. Love equals actions.
2. Perform common acts in uncommon ways. Jesus gets up from the meal and begins to wash feet. The silence must have been palpable. This lesson would follow these men for the rest of their lives. This becomes especially poignant when they realize later on that Jesus even washed the feet of Judas who gave Him up for a bag of change. Our principle? We must be humble enough to serve when and where we are needed. The world has too many Christians who are waiting for someone to serve them. Instead let's be a church that engages and is willing to do whatever it takes to engage our communities for Christ.
3. Realize humility unites us with Christ. Peter recoils with horror when Jesus approaches him to wash his feet. Jesus lets Peter know that he must allow this to happen if he is to have fellowship with Him. Paul in Philippians 2 writes that when we put ourselves aside and look out for the needs of others we become one-souled and we have the same attitude Jesus had.
So the only question that remains is this: who do you serve?
Aristotle is credited with saying, "The soul never thinks without a picture". He's right. When I have an idea or memory there is always an image that makes up that thought.
The passage we studied yesterday is a familiar one but it requires the reader to make a mental picture for maximum impact.
When I think of being served the first thing that comes to mind is the country club member. The scene involves a cigar chomping retiree who has spent an enormous amount of money on a membership that gives him instant access to whatever his golf-bag-toting heart desires. Whether it be drinks, food, or companionship he gets what he wants, instantly.
Western culture instructs us that money is power. We also quickly learn that education can solve any problem and propel the apt pupil to society's forefront. The moral of the success story is that the more you have achieved the more you deserve. The formula looks like this: I win = I get. Simple. For those who would not consider themselves above average the allure is comparable. Everyone understands we are to look out for ourselves and to secure our own interests no matter who we are, right? This philosophy flies in the face of biblical teaching.
In Philippians 2:1-4 Paul writes that we need to put others ahead of ourselves just like Jesus Himself did. In I Peter 5 the letter's namesake instructs his readers to "clothe themselves with humility". Interesting words coming from Peter.
Peter, along with the rest of the apostles, had a habit of fighting over who would be sitting at Jesus' right hand in the Kindgom. Even 24 hours before Jesus was to be crucified the boys were at it again (Luke 22). John 13 provides a different perspective of the same event.
The frame for the picture is the Passover Feast. It was an annual celebration remembering Israel's rescue from Egypt. This was a sacred time for Jews. Jesus and his guys were together to celebrate the meal in a second story room somewhere in Jerusalem. Luke explains their argument while John points out that while they were eating Jesus silently gets up, removes his outer robe, wraps an apron/towel around his waist and precedes to wash the feet of the disciples.
The service of foot washing was reserved for the lowest of servants in any pecking order. For the Master, or anyone else in a position of authority, to perform this task was unheard of. The streets were not paved with blacktop but an unseemly mix of dirt, mud, urine and excrement both animal and human. For a people group who wore open footwear you can imagine what their feet looked and smelled like. It was customary to have your feet washed even if you needed to do it yourself; which the disciples and Jesus were no doubt used to.
Jesus turns the tradition on its ear. He demonstrates the attitude that ought to drive each one that calls himself a Christ follower. Humility. There are three lessons to take with us as we study this picture.
1. Make love a pursuit not just an idea. John 13:1 says that Jesus loved his followers to the uttermost. He loved them completely and he showed them what that looks like. Within one full day he would show the whole world what love looked like when he was nailed to a cross. After he finished washing their feet he told them in 13:34 their mission was to love one another so the world would know they followed Christ. The principle is simple if we love we will act. Love equals actions.
2. Perform common acts in uncommon ways. Jesus gets up from the meal and begins to wash feet. The silence must have been palpable. This lesson would follow these men for the rest of their lives. This becomes especially poignant when they realize later on that Jesus even washed the feet of Judas who gave Him up for a bag of change. Our principle? We must be humble enough to serve when and where we are needed. The world has too many Christians who are waiting for someone to serve them. Instead let's be a church that engages and is willing to do whatever it takes to engage our communities for Christ.
3. Realize humility unites us with Christ. Peter recoils with horror when Jesus approaches him to wash his feet. Jesus lets Peter know that he must allow this to happen if he is to have fellowship with Him. Paul in Philippians 2 writes that when we put ourselves aside and look out for the needs of others we become one-souled and we have the same attitude Jesus had.
So the only question that remains is this: who do you serve?
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