IN THE UPPER ROOM WITH JESUS (3)

 

THE PERFORMANCE OF A SERVANT

John 13:4-11

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     In January, we began a series entitled:  “In the Upper Room with Jesus.”

1.       This series comes from John 13-17.

2.       Jesus enters an upper room with His disciples in order to partake of the Passover.

3.       While there, Jesus speak His last words to His apostles before His arrest and crucifixion.

 

B.      John is the only gospel writer to record this discussion. 

 

C.     We have had two previous lessons:

1.       Lesson #1:  Introduction

2.       Lesson #2:  Preliminary Thoughts (John 13:1-3)

 

D.     In this lesson, we will study John 13:4-10.  The title of our lesson is:  “The Performance of A Servant.”

1.       Jesus takes His disciples by surprise in this text.

2.       He also has an interesting conversation with one disciple, Peter.

 

I.                    THE CLEANSING OF THE DISCIPLES’ FEET (John 13:4-5)

 

A.     The Preparation to Wash (John 13:4-5a)

 

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  After that he poured water into a basin…

 

1.       Jesus and the apostles ate the Passover and reflected on the events long ago that happened in Egypt when the angel of death passed through the land of Egypt killing the firstborn of the Egyptians but sparing the firstborn of Israel (Exo. 12).

a.       They may have talked about bondage.

b.      They may have talked about the power of God.

c.       They may have talked about the Passover lamb.

d.      They may have talked about the blood put on the door posts and lintels.

e.       They may have talked about redemption and freedom.

2.       All of a sudden, Jesus rose from the floor and stands.  This alone would have grabbed the attention of His followers.

3.       He made preparations to wash the feet of His disciples by attiring Himself in the garb of a servant.

a.       He removed His outer cloak.

b.      He took a towel and wrapped it around him.

c.       He poured water into a basin.

4.       Jesus did not speak any words.  The room must have been silent as He made His preparations.  We can almost hear the water as it is being poured into the bowl. 

5.       LESSON:  To perform the actions of a servant, there are certain tools that are needed.  They are some who will never lower themselves by clothing themselves in the attire of a servant.

 

B.      The Practice of a Servant (John 13:5b)

 

…and he began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

 

1.       Washing of the feet was usually done by the servants prior to the eating of the meal.

a.       Not one of the twelve had taken the initiative.

b.      Not one of them felt the need to humble himself and serve his brethren.

c.       Thus, Jesus performed the action of a servant after the meal.

2.       We are not told which disciple was the first to be washed.

3.       It must have been a humbling experience for all of them as they saw Jesus go from person to person washing and drying their feet.

4.       NOTE:  Jesus was the humble one, and each of the apostles was humbled. 

a.       The Master was washing the feet of His servants.

1)      This was not a normal occurrence.

2)      However, it was one of the reasons Jesus came to earth, that is, to serve.

a)      Matthew 20:28

 

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

b)      Philippians 2:7

 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant…

 

b.      LESSON:  Often the opportunity is present to serve, but we overlook the moment.

 

II.                 THE CONVERSATION WITH PETER (John 13:6-10a)

 

A.     The Perplexity of Peter (John 13:6)

 

Then cometh he to Simon Peter:  and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

 

1.       It would have been interesting to have been in the mind of Peter at this time.

2.       As he watched the Lord wash the feet of others, he knew he had missed an opportunity.

3.       Now it was his turn.

a.       He knew this was Jesus the Son of God.

b.      He knew this was his Lord and Master.

c.       All he could do was ask:  “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?”

d.      It is almost as if he were saying:  “Lord, do you really have to wash my feet?”

 

B.      The Profession of Jesus (John 13:7)

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

 

1.       Jesus did not just hear Peter’s words, He also looked into his heart.

a.       He knew Peter was confused.

b.      He knew Peter did not understand His actions.

c.       “What I do thou knowest not now.”

2.       He promises, however, that Peter would come to understand.

a.       He would understand the action in the teaching of Jesus that would follow.

b.      Too, he would come to understand as he would watch the Lord throughout the events of The Passion.

3.       LESSON:  We do not always understand and appreciate the lessons our teachers are attempting to get across to us.  At a later date, we sometimes come to an understanding, and we are thankful (Ex., Psychology class in college and “the gift of the Holy Ghost at MSOP).

 

C.     The Prohibition of Peter (John 13:8a)

 

Peter saith unto him, thou shalt never wash my feet.

 

1.       Question:  Was Peter being rebellious?  Or, was Peter being respectful?

2.       In his mind, he was probably trying to acknowledge that Jesus should not be engaged in such an action on his behalf. 

3.       He knew that it should have been he who was doing the washing on this occasion.

4.       His response involves a powerful word, “never.” 

a.       The word means “not ever, at no time, not at all.”

b.      It is a word of finality or conclusiveness. 

c.       It is a word that offers no other alternatives. 

d.      It is an absolute prohibition.

 

D.     The Pronouncement of Jesus (John 13:8b)

 

Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

 

1.       Peter never expected the response that Jesus gave him.

2.       Jesus’ answer was powerful, final, and had no alternatives.

3.       “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

4.       Peter loved Jesus.  He had faith in Jesus.  He was convinced He was the Messiah and the Savior of Israel.

5.       To have no part with Jesus was to have no redemption, no freedom, no salvation, and no hope. 

6.       This is NOT an option that Peter desired.

7.       LESSON:  Fellowship with Jesus is conditional.  If a man refuses the conditions, he will have no part with the Christ.

 

E.       The Proposal by Peter (John 13:9)

 

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

 

1.       Peter was overwhelmed by Jesus’ response.

2.       Remember, he had said that Jesus would NEVER wash his feet.  Now, he wanted his feet, his hands, and his head washed by Jesus.

3.       NOTE:  This is how much Peter desired to be a part of Jesus Christ.

4.       Explanation:

a.       When we enter into a place to eat, we often go to the restroom and wash our hands.  If we have had a long day, we might also splash some water on our face.

b.      In the first century, a servant would wash the feet of the guests.  Water was also supplied for the hands and face of the guest if needed.

c.       Thus, Peter requests for Jesus to wash his feet, hands, and head.

 

 

F.      The Practicality of Jesus (John 13:10a)

 

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit…

 

1.       Peter’s response was an over kill.

2.       Prior to eating the Passover, most individuals would bath themselves.  Thus, their hands and head would be clean.

3.       Their feet would need to be washed because they wore sandals and walked on dirt roads and paths.

4.       Jesus, therefore, responds practically to Peter.  “Peter the rest of you is clean.  Only your feet stand in need of being washed.”

5.       Jesus might have chuckled a little within when He heard these words of Peter.  He knew He struck a nerve deep in the heart of Peter.  He knew Peter longed to be a

faithful disciple.

 

III.              THE CONCESSION OF JESUS (John 13:10-11)

 

…and ye are clean, but not all.  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

 

A.     Jesus’ words take a turn here.

1.       He is no longer talking only to Peter.  The “ye” refers to all of the apostles.

2.       He is not talking about their being physically clean.  He now has reference to their inner man.

 

B.      Ye are clean, but not all.

1.       Eleven of these men had pure hearts.

2.       There was one, however, who did not. 

a.       Jesus does not name him at this time.

b.      He will be part of the discussion in the upper room very soon.

c.       Jesus was calling out Judas and his betrayal.  This was weighing extremely heavy on the mind of Jesus that night.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have read about “The Performance of a Servant” in this lesson.

1.       Jesus as the Master shocked His disciples by serving them.

2.       LESSON:  In order to lead effectively, one must first be able to serve.

 

B.      There are two lessons that each of us needs to evaluate as we close this study.

1.       We can only be a part of Christ, if we submit to His conditions of fellowship.

2.       It is possible for one who is a follower of the Christ not to have a clean heart.  If Jesus were here, and said:  “…ye are clean, but not all,” would He be talking to you?