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July 6,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (10 of 12)

Focus Text: John 13.12-17

“So when He [Jesus] had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.;” (John 13.12-17).

Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” He also asked, “Do you know what I have done to you?” We will have more to say about these two verses presently. Of course they knew what Jesus was doing! What a seemingly strange question. They had probably seen others perform this custom hundreds of time! Of course they knew that Jesus was washing their feet. But did they really know what He was doing; that is the question? When Jesus spoke earlier with Peter about these proceedings, Jesus said, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this…” (John 13.7).

Only a little time had passed, but tremendously significant events had occurred. Peter had denied any knowledge of Jesus at His trial. He was not found guilty of any crime but was nonetheless sentenced to death as a favor from the Romans to the Jews. Three days later, this same Peter had visited the tomb where Jesus was laid only to find it empty. Then on more than one occasion, the resurrected Lord appeared to Peter and to the rest of the apostles. After these significant events, and during a teachable moment, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21.15-17). Three times Peter affirmed his love and to Peter’s responses Jesus said, “Feed My lambs,” “Tend My sheep,” and “Feed My sheep.”

There is a connection between the example Jesus gave in John 13 and His charge to Peter in John 21. The “secret” to Jesus’ success was simple; He came to serve and He never deviated from that role! The apostles’ mindset also had to be adjusted to accept this lowly and humble role. When Jesus washed their feet, this was the lesson, the lesson of humble servitude. They could not bear that message at the time, but their attitudes were to change over time.

Near the end of Peter’s life after having served as an apostle, an evangelist, and an elder/pastor in the Lord’s church, he charged his readers, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5.5). Note specifically, “…be clothed with humility.” Recall that Jesus had girded Himself with a towel just before washing the disciple’s feet. The towel girded about the waist was the uniform of the servant. Now after a lifetime of service, we see that Peter got it! He had donned the towel of the servant just as Jesus had done and had given himself to the service of Christ and His disciples. Jesus, Master Teacher and Humble Servant! These are not contradictory roles; they are complementary!

Questions:

1. Why would Jesus ask, “Do you know what I have done to you?”

2. The example was not to wash feet in a ceremonial way! State the lesson in your own words.

3. Why did Jesus connect love and service in John 21? Were the two connected in His life and ministry?

4. What does it mean to be “clothed with humility?” Was Jesus? Was Peter? Where and when did Peter learn that lesson?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

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