Famous Last Words John 13 17 John 13

Famous Last Words John 13 -17

John 13: 35 NIV By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

A job that is beneath your dignity: “I hope I never have to do that? ” Guano Collector Sewer Cleaner Armpit Sniffer Emptying Bedpans

Washing dirty feet “Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal. ” Psalm 60: 8 NIV “Footwashing could be used as a synonym for slavery. To wash another’s feet symbolized the subjugation of one person to another. Those who received footwashing from another were social superiors of those who performed the task. ” John Christopher Thomas Footwashing in John 13 and the Johannine Community, (Sheffield: JSNT Publishers, 1991), . 46

John 13: 1 -17 NLT Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet? ” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will. ” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me. ” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you. ” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean. ”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord, ’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Matthew 20: 25 -27 NLT 25 But 26 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.

2 Forms of Pride �Unwilling another to serve �Unwilling to be served by another ed, t s e t pro r e t ver Pe e ” r , e o ev “N n l l i w t!” e e “you f my h s a w

Acts 20: 35 NIV “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. ’” If I always need to be the giver, and am never the receiver, what does that say about me? Bless people with your needs.

John 13: 3 -4 NLT The Source of Real Humility 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist. Jesus’ great humility grew out of his extreme confidence.

If I’m short on humility… …it’s probably because I’m short on confidence. Ø I don’t deeply understand the power God has given me. Ø I don’t deeply know where I come from (God). Ø Ø I don’t deeply know where I’m going (God). Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. ” Matthew 28: 18 -20 NLT

Humility & Confidence What does humility look like? � � � What does healthy confidence look like? Humility is more interested in hearing others’ stories than in telling one’s own. � Humility takes more delight in crediting others than in receiving credit. � Humility thrives on collaborative decisionmaking. � Humility takes responsibility for mistakes and is quick to make amends. � Humility invites and values feedback and critique. � Humility is motivated by the mission, not by personal advancement, achievement, or recognition. � Confidence doesn’t need to focus on self so delights in focusing on others. Confidence doesn’t need the spotlight so loves to turn the spotlight on others. Confidence is not threatened by strong leaders, but surrounds itself with and collaborates with strong leaders. Confidence doesn’t need to be right all the time, because self-worth isn’t rooted in being right. Confidence invites and values feedback and critique. Healthy confidence lives to please God, not people.

Philippians 2: 5 -8 NLT 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Table Sharing 1. Which is more challenging for you to do— serve someone else by doing a “thankless” job, or allowing others to serve or give to you? 2. What gets in the way of our volunteering to do “low-status” jobs to serve others?