Membership Matters 4: Serving with Style

John 13:1-17

 

I wonder what kind of weekend you have been having? Where did you go? Anywhere nice?  The garden centre? A restaurant? Coffee shop? Get to see a film? How about the sport’s centre? Go on a train journey or stop at a motorway service station? Buy any petrol? Maybe you ended up in the supermarket or got dragged round the shopping centre. If you were unfortunate, maybe you even spent some time in A&E? Did you meet anyone special? If you went to any of these places, you met some very special people although you may not have noticed them. A few are highly paid but most are not. Some wore a uniform, some didn’t. Some wore a name badge. Did you notice? Most will have made themselves smart and presentable just to meet you. Brushed their shoes, ironed their shirts, combed their hair, even put on makeup, but you almost certainly didn’t compliment them, indeed you may not even acknowledged them, you were so busy in conversation with friends or family. Yet they were there to serve you. To welcome you. To feed you. To serve you. To make you comfortable. To meet your needs.  Did it cross your mind to think what it would be like to do their job? Did you wonder why they were doing it? Probably not for the money. Did you call them by name? Did you look into their eyes? Did you thank them? They say you never know what it feels like to be a servant until you are treated like one. Jesus said,

 

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:13-15)

 

“Imagine what would happen if people in our world - by the masses - saw countless Christ-followers take up serving towels, draped them over their arms and willingly (even joyfully) serve people every day, as the norm. What would the effect be? Would they be more open or less open to hearing about Jesus? As we shall see this morning, we are never closer to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ than when we are adding value to other people’s lives. People who are far away from God are rarely more impacted than when they see 21st Century Christ-followers behaving as Jesus Christ behaved.”

 

We are at a significant moment in the history of our church. Our planning application to extend the church and build the new village hall goes before Runnymede Borough Council in early February. We are beginning the search for a full-time student pastor and children’s and family pastor. At Easter we plan to move to two main morning services. But these will not, in themselves enable us to reach more people with the good news of Jesus Christ. Our Church is not going to realize its full potential through employing more staff or by increasing the number of services or by building larger facilities. We will reach our full potential as a church only when every one of us rolls up our sleeves, places a towel over our arm and serves. Each one of us invests our talents to serve Christ. To know Jesus and make Jesus known. Which would you rather do this afternoon?  Watch a group of fisherman on a river bank or hold the rod yourself? Would you rather watch a game or play in one?

 

I would rather get the golf clubs out and play a nine hole round of golf with Joanna than watch the best pros at a Match Play from behind the rope on the 18th. I’d rather kick a ball around the garden with Michael than watch international football on TV. “Spectating never compares with the thrills of being in the middle of a game.”

 

It’s the same in the Church.  You can park your car in the usual place, make your way to a comfortable seat… watch a good service, chat with friends over a coffee, and then go home. Or you can “join a team of like-minded servants, and help build the local church God has called you to be a part of.”[i]  Bill Hybels says,

 

“The satisfaction most people are looking for comes from being in the middle of life’s action, not on the sidelines. Following Jesus is something people do, something that takes time and burns calories and stretches capacities as individuals and entire churches roll up their sleeves and activate their faith by serving others. It takes commitment and perseverance. Intentionality and selflessness. But nothing can match the rewards for those who find their place to serve.”

 

Please turn with me to John 13 and let us allow Jesus to teach us this morning three lessons in love - three lessons in loving servanthood. We are going to discover first of all - the full extent of loving service; secondly, the primary purpose of loving service and thirdly, the ultimate proof of loving service.

 

1. The Full Extent of Loving Service 13:1-5

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:1-5)

 

Notice how John understands this act of love by Jesus. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” (John 13:1). Think about that. Jesus has already demonstrated his love for them in countless ways but now he shows them the ‘full extent of his love.” What comes to mind when you think of ‘full extent’ or something fully extended - stretched? That’s what John has in mind. The Greek word used here is the same word used in John 19:30 when from the cross, his arms stretched wide, Jesus says “It is finished”. John wants us to understand this act as a prefigurement of the cross.  Now lets get the context for this dramatic act of Jesus. In a country as hot and dusty as Palestine, where people wore open sandals, it was the custom to eat at low tables so that your feet were not far from the faces of other guests, the custom was for a servant to be at the door of the house to wash the dirty feet of guests as they entered. According to Jewish tradition  "Foot washing" was not even required of a Hebrew slave, it was the task of a foreign slave. On this occasion there was no one to do it. The foot washer had not shown up. Imagine the scene.

 

“The first disciple enters the upper room and discovered there’s no foot-washer. Suddenly, for him, its decision time. Does he wash his own feet? Does he take off his outer garment, go and get the water and wash everyone else’s feet? Look into his eyes. He’s thinking. Not me. That’s not my job. I’m not a slave. I’m no foot-washer. He tries to size up where Jesus will sit and chooses an advantageous position at the table. The second disciple enters, realizes there’s no footwasher and sees his friend already seated at the table. Well, he thinks, if he’s not going to stoop to the level of foot-washer, neither an I. And he heads toward the second-best seat in the house.

 

All the disciples do the same thing. They file in Walk past the water basin. Choose the best remaining seat at the table. Recline. Stick their dirty feet in each other’s laps. Last, Jesus enters. Watch him. He looks at the water. He looks at the filthy feet of the disciples. The smell is apparent. You can see it in his eyes. Three years. Sermon after sermon, illustration after illustration, confrontation after confrontation. Can you see it? It looks a lot like failure. He walks to the table and reclines. He just sits there, silently. Maybe someone will at least have the humility to wash the feet of their Master. But no, nobody moves. Now watch him.

 

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.” (John 13:3-4)

 

Why did Jesus get up from the table? Because he knew Almighty God had put all things under his power. How many things? All things. Because Jesus knew he was Lord of heaven and earth… Because Jesus knew he had come from heaven and would soon return… Because He know that God the Father had given him all authority on earth… Because he knew that the destiny of the entire world hung on his shoulders - he got up from the table, took off his outer garment. Carefully he picks up the towel and slips it through his belt, exactly the way a foreign slave would. Then he pours the water into the basin. Now look at the eyes of the disciples. What can you see? Disbelief. Embarrassment. Then as Jesus begins to wash the feet of the first disciple, you see something deeper in their eyes: agony, regret, maybe tears. What is the matter with me? How did I miss this? My whole world revolves around me. Its bad enough I wasn’t humble enough to wash my brothers’ feet. But I wouldn’t even wash my Saviour’s feet! How could I have done this? In the silence of that room the careful, deliberate washing must have lasted a long time. The breathing of the kneeling man became heavier as the minutes passed, and his hair fell over his forehead.  The Lord of glory was on his hands and knees cleaning his disciple’s feet because none of them was willing to stoop that low to serve.  So the Lord of glory became their servant.  This is how Jesus showed them the full extent of his love. The full extent of loving service is servanthood.  In the next few verses Jesus leads us to understand the second lesson - about the primary purpose of loving service.

 

2. The Primary Purpose of Loving Service 13:6-11

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.” (John 13:6-11)

 

Jesus gradually circles the table and comes to the feet of Peter. Peter resists. Peter is so emphatic, he uses a double negative, “No, … you shall never wash my feet.” Perhaps it was the fisherman's zealous determination not to be done a service that made him cry out in protest. Maybe it was the humiliation that he had not offered Jesus this simple act of hospitality himself.  Someone once said, “It is possible to give without loving but impossible to love without giving.” Service is an act of loving.  

 

This was what Jesus is communicating so graphically here. Through surrendering our pride to the hands of Christ, by identifying him bent over the bowl scrubbing us clean like little children, that is how our salvation comes. "If I don't wash you", said Jesus, "you have no part of me."  Jesus uses the same word here as God used when he promised an inheritance to the Israelites. Unless we receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have no future, no hope. What ever it was for Peter, his feet exposed his independence, his pride. Peter would rather wash the feet of Jesus than let Jesus wash his feet. Later Peter would insist, he would rather die for Jesus than let Jesus die for him.  And that was the lesson he was beginning to learn.  This vivid act of Jesus, which even a Jewish slave was not required to fulfill, is intended to show us what Jesus did for each one of us at Calvary.  As the beautiful Easter hymn puts it:

 

"When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride." 

 

The person who has not yet learnt to count in this way cannot cope with this image of Jesus the servant. Do not be surprised when some friends and family make excuses when you invite them to a service or Christian event. They like to pretend they don't need a wash, they're clean enough already.  “I know I don’t go to Church but…” But what?  We can do nothing for Jesus until we have been washed by Jesus. Then you won’t be complaining about your place of service because your eyes will be on him, not yourself.

 

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” (John 13:9-10)

 

Its important to understand what Jesus is saying to Peter. We must not question the Lord's will or work, or try to manipulate him.  He knows what He is doing. Peter had a difficult time accepting Christ's ministry to him because Peter was not yet ready to minister to the others.  It takes humility to serve others, and the first step is to allow our pride to be humiliated to the point that we repent of our sin and ask God to forgive us, wash us clean and make us new. So let me ask you, have you allowed Jesus to wash you?   

 

The invitation is here. Just remember what Jesus said to Peter, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (John 13:8).

 

The ultimate purpose of loving service, if they are to count for eternity, will lead people to Jesus to be forgiven and made clean as we are.  Christ Church is not primarily a club, a choir or a charity. We are a community of servants, serving a loving Lord by serving one another, by serving others. We should evaluate all our activities by this criteria, by this standard. The full extent of loving service = servanthood.  The primary purpose of loving service = salvation. The third lesson?

 

3. The Ultimate Proof of Loving Service   13:12-17

Jesus said to the disciples, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” (John 13:12). Lets look at these verses in a little more detail.

 

3.1 The Mandate for Loving Service (13:12-14)

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. (John 13:12-14)

 

Do you understand the implications of what Jesus has done for you? If we call Jesus our teacher and Lord we have no choice. Loving service is no longer an option. The only question is where and how. We are mandated to serve one another - by washing one another’s feet, bathing one another’s wounds, one another’s sins, one another’s fears. The mandate for loving service.

 

3.2 The Model for Loving Service (13:15-16)

“15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:15-16)

 

Jesus is our example. Our supreme example. A Christian not engaged in practical acts of loving service on a regular basis is saying in effect that they consider themselves greater than Jesus. If sacrificial service is beneath you, then so is Jesus. Jesus has given us the benchmark for loving service. You know the weekly task that challenges me the most?

Early Tuesday mornings wheeling the rubbish bins from behind the church a hundred metres to the entrance of our drive way on Callow Hill so that the refuse collectors can take away our garbage… then hauling them back later in the day. And every week I am tempted to think to myself, why am I doing this? And every week I remember Jesus has called me to serve and I thank him for this weekly reminder. The mandate of loving service. The model of loving service, and,

 

3.3 The Motive of Loving Service (13:17)

17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17)

The purpose of loving service is to bring a blessing. A blessing to ourselves, a blessing to others. If we are ever to touch the people around us in any lasting way, it will be by sharing the humble, sacrificial love with which Jesus loves us. This is how we will create a revolution in Virginia Water. For as we serve one another as Christ has served us, our lives are transformed and the power of Christ is revealed. The full extent of loving service = servanthood.  The primary purpose of loving service = salvation. The ultimate proof of loving service = submission.

 

As you came into our building this morning, who washed your feet? Did you notice anyone washing your feet? How many times have your feet, or the feet of those you love, been washed already this morning? Or will be washed before you leave? Several people served you as you entered. One or more of the ushers… the welcomers… the flower team… gardening team… admin team, operations team, the cleaning team… the readers who read God’s word… the prayer who will intercede for you… the crčche looking after your baby, Chipmunks your pre-school toddlers, the Scrambler leaders, Climber, Explorer, Pathfinder leaders, the PA team, the musicians, the treasurers who will count the collection after the service, the refreshments team, the prayer team, the wardens who will check the windows and lock up long after you have gone. These are just some of the people who wash your feet every week. They are wearing their towel around their necks - it says “here to serve”. And they are. What about you?

 

In your CC News is our Five Week Challenge. It highlights the present serving opportunities. We are scheduled to fly with two morning services from Easter but we won’t take off in April without the crew on board in March. Appropriately, its our youngest members, the little people, who need serving the most. 

 

If God has spoken to you this morning, if God is asking you to respond, please don’t put it off. Fill in the serving challenge leaflet and place it in the collection or the box in reception and we will help you find a place of service that matches your gifting, your talents, and availability to serve. 

 

In his book “The Volunteer Revolution” under the heading “This what I was made for” Bill Hybels tells this story “Some years ago a new staff member of our church asked me how I had the gall to ask people who are already busy at work or in the home to get involved as volunteers at church. "I mean, don't you feel a little guilty doing this?" he asked. "Isn't it hard to heap such a burden on people?" He had a point. But I knew of a bigger point:

 

"During the next few months you're going to meet people who stand at drill presses, ten hours a day, five or six days a week. When they go home at night, few of them sense the pleasure, meaning, and purpose of life they've heard advertised in commercials for beer or computer systems. They're godly, conscientious people, and they feel thankful for their jobs. But they don't find satisfaction for their souls at the drill press. And you're going to meet fine, hardworking people in real estate who show thirty homes a week. If they're lucky, one buyer will make an offer, but they're not lucky every week.


Many are extroverts who love showing property and helping families find the right home, but even then they probably don't arrive home at night filled with deep inner joy because of their latest showing. You'll meet insurance salespeople who have been selling policies for twenty years. While they feel grateful that the insurance business puts food on their table and sends their kids to college, the thought of selling one more policy likely doesn't float their emotional boat. You're going to meet car dealers and stockbrokers and bricklayers and police officers and plumbers who, despite their commitment to their careers and jobs, are honest enough to admit that their secular vocation does not offer enough meaning to satisfy the deeper needs that stir in their souls. Some of them love their jobs; they feel stimulated and energized by their work. Some of them even leave their workplace each day knowing that they have honored God by their work and their love for people. But few of them would say: This is what life is all about." I looked directly into the eyes of my young friend. "You and I get to invite these people to be used by God in ways they never imagined. We have the opportunity to empower them to develop gifts they didn't know they had. We can cheer them on as they courageously assume new levels of Kingdom responsibility that fill their hearts to overflowing. And we get to see the look on their faces when they realize God has used them to touch another human being. "No," I said, "I never really feel guilty inviting people to become volunteers in our church. Never." [2]

 

Someone once asked Corrie ten Boom, if she had a hard time serving and staying humble.  This was what she said: "When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road and singing praises, do you think that for one moment it even entered the head of that donkey that any of it was for him?" She smiled and went on, "If I can be the donkey on which Jesus Christ rides in His glory, I give Him all the praise and all the honour."  All the praise and all the honour.

 

Will you accept the invitation to serve? To live beyond yourself? To pour your passion into service, into loving service of Jesus Christ? Lets change the culture in our community and start a revolution. Lets do it. Lets pray.

 



[i] Bill Hybels, The Volunteer Revolution, (Zondervan)