1 Jesus is our Peace: Christians live to get down and dirty as servants in the world. John 13:1-20 MPS: Jesus gives peace with God that sends Christians to share and serve as Servants in the world. OBJ: Every person should believe in Jesus for salvation and live in His peace because of two glorious truths and by two principles of His Kingdom mission, with four points of application to guide. INTRO Have you ever thought about how complete the idea of peace really is? Peace is typically thought of as the absence of turmoil, chaos or uprising. We speak of it in reference to people and violence, wanting peace among men. But we also speak of it in regard to the weather and storms. We want peace of mind and heart, or relationship. In all of these ways peace comes to us as resolution by removing chaos, disorder, friction, conflict, turmoil, reconciliation, etc. How many of you could use a little more of this kind of peace in your life? The Biblical perspective of peace surely involves all these things, but includes another aspect too. The peace that we receive by the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ not only comes by the removal of God s wrath from upon us in sin, but brings a readiness, a propelling power to Go in Jesus name. Jesus gives peace with God that sends Christians to share and serve as Servants in the world. READ John 13:1-11 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, do you wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered him, What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand. 8 Peter said to him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no share with me. 9 Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head! 10 Jesus said to him, The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you. 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, Not all of you are clean. John provides a multi-faceted context and all that took place with Jesus and his disciples. We see the timeline and Jesus coming crucifixion, yet how he loved them to the very end. We see what takes place in the spirit world. Judas becomes the Devils advocate among the disciples to betray Jesus. The disciples could not see any of this, but Jesus knew all of it. More importantly, Jesus knew all the Father had given to him, and that s what held him on course. Love was the driving factor for Jesus, from coming to earth to dying on the cross, love for the Father and for people held Jesus to obey. After supper Jesus rose from the table and began washing the disciples feet. The vivid description John provides leaves no doubt that this froze the room as the disciples could hardly believe what was happening. Peter speaks up, assuming his customary role among the disciples, stating what everyone else was thinking. Peter knew he was unworthy to have Jesus wash his feet. He makes an adamant demand that Jesus should never wash his feet. Jesus says that what he is doing will give greater understanding when the time is right. And without Jesus washing the disciples will have no share with Jesus. Peter wants his whole body washed. (There s always one that takes it too far.) Jesus says this is not necessary. Jesus uses this vivid act of serving to illustrate that his death will provide the ultimate act of sacrifice. In his crucifixion Jesus becomes the eternal Passover Lamb, serving as the ultimate sacrifice to take away the sin of the world. John1:29; 1Cor5:7 The blood of the Passover Lamb washes us clean from sin s stain over all of life. The Scriptures explain and apply the washing in this way. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from our sin, makes peace for us with God, sets us free from sin s
slavery and brings us near to God. 1John1:7;Col1:20;Rev1:5;Eph2:13 We are saved by Jesus washing and not our works. Titus3:5 Jesus washing in salvation cleanses from every form of sin and distinguishes Christians from the unrighteous who will not inherit the kingdom of God. 1Cor6:11 Christians draw near to Jesus with full assurance because we have been washed. Heb10:22 All who believe in Jesus are washed from sin s stain and given peace with God. Peter was right in his thinking, but had more to learn. He was not worthy of Jesus sacrifice, but He was greatly loved by Jesus. The One who was anointed as worthy with expensive perfume, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God, was the same One who willingly bowed down to wash the disciple s feet. No one is worthy of Jesus sacrifice, but we are greatly loved by a merciful God who washes away our sin when we believe in Jesus. Jesus is the Son of Man who became the Passover Lamb to make atonement for sin that we might be washed in His blood and given peace with God. OBJ I want us to see today that every Christian should live in God s peace because of two glorious truths, by two principles, and conclude with four points of application to guide. Truth #1: Jesus makes peace with God and frees us from all that separates us from God. Jesus captures an opportune moment to lead the disciples into a deeper understanding of coming events. Every story in the gospels reveal how God works to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. Here, Jesus gives particular attention to what his coming death meant for those who believed in Him, and how those same followers were to live out that meaning. When tempted to question God, never forget, friend, and remember; God sees, God knows, God loves, God cares, and most importantly, Jesus saves! Have you ever washed someone s feet? Dealing with other people s feet is not easy. In my opinion, the only thing harder than washing someone s feet is having your feet washed by someone. I m not talking about that pedi appointment. I m talking about that act of service that represents how you want to relate in all of life. Yes, the motivation and purpose behind the outward action changes the nature and level of difficulty it creates. Washing feet in the first century served multiple purposes, sanitary, honorary and now spiritual. We have little need to have someone wash our feet today. (Well, most of us.) But the action remains one of weighty impact in what it communicates through service. Footwashing has been labeled the unofficial third ordinance of the church, alongside baptism and the Lord s Supper. When we look at 21 st century Christianity, we seemed to have substituted serving as a high value with awareness. We freely engage with retweets, shares and rants on trending issues. Yet, while our fingers are fast to boost awareness, few willingly bear the dirt and grit of actually serving under their fingernails. Serving s weighty demand often prevents one from even considering it as an option. Jesus serves by His sacrificial death to make peace with God for all who believe. His sacrifice cleanses and sets us free from all that separates us from God. Those who believe in Jesus have peace with God and are clean and free from all of sin s stain. What a glorious truth! READ John 13:12-20 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me. 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. John 13:1-20 2
TRANS Jesus says, I wash your feet to teach you that my crucifixion will wash your whole life to make you clean before God. And, I wash your feet to show you how you will tell the world of my whole-life cleansing and redeeming sacrifice. What does a life of peace do for the Christ-follower? The peace of God shods our feet with readiness for faithful witness and missional advancement. Eph6:15 Is your life ready to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth? Jesus explains what he is teaching the disciples. When one believes in Him for eternal life, it changes the way that person lives. Follow Jesus is not about wearing labels, but about living true to the One we claim to believe in. This brings us to our second truth in the passage. Truth #2: Jesus models a life of peace with God that readies one to live as a servant. How can we claim the name of the only perfect man who lived to model a life of peace on the earth, and died to give peace with God to all who believe, yet live in a way counter to His life, teaching and work? Or, not live as He lived to tell the whole world about this peace? Believing in Jesus brings peace with God that readies a Christ-follower to live as a servant of God. TRANS In order to understand how peace with God readies us to serve and take the gospel to the world, Jesus gives two principles. The first principle tells that Christians are to serve, and how they serve. (.16) Principle #1: A servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger than his commissioner. The peace of God through Jesus Christ frees one from sin s slavery to become a servant of Christ. A servant and messenger act only under the authority and guidelines of the one they serve. Christianity s message is far too often purported as some form of, Jesus died so I can be lord. No. Jesus died because He obeyed the Father who sent him as an atoning sacrifice for sin. God looked upon His sacrifice and was pleased. Once peace was made because sin was atoned, God raised Him up and gave Him a Name of honor and authority as Lord. Christianity s message is Jesus is Lord, who gave His life that you might have peace with God and be set free from sin. Christ-followers serve Jesus, in whose Name and authority they are sent to serve in a way learned from Him. TRANS In the second principle Jesus tells how people will get to God as we serve Him, (.20). Principle #2: When people receive the servant or messenger, they receive the one who sent them. TRANS In order to continue I want to help us understand these two glorious truths and the principles Jesus gives to explain them by making three, pointed applications that thread this passage together for us. APPL #1: Jesus served to make peace with God for sin. He served you in a way that you were completely unworthy of when He died in your place to make atonement for your sin, but He gladly did it that you might be cleansed and set free from sin, have peace and be reconciled to God. Never forget how unworthy you were when Jesus willingly died for you. Only Jesus gives peace with God through believing in His atoning sacrifice. APPL #2 Peace with God readies a Christ-follower to become a servant of Jesus mission. Serving Jesus is not just about what He did, but how He lived too. Once you believe in Jesus, you are readied as a servant of His mission because He is living IN you. Living as a servant of Jesus is MORE about HOW you do all you do, say, and even all you think, MORE THAN only WHAT you do. We want experience, but without sacrifice, thrill without risk, emotion without engagement, connection without the hassle of personal contact. Imagine a world where the intensity of our serve equaled the frequency of status updates, without including them! How we want Jesus, to improve our life, our living situation, our standard of living, to ease our burden, 3
remove our frustrations, hurts and inconveniences. But how dare He call us to live like He lived. Unworthy of his washing, we quickly expect him to work on our timetable and from our master plan. The ability to serve is far more determined by throwing off what entangles, hinders and prevents far more than ability, accessibility or even availability. When a Christian lives in God s peace through Jesus Christ it readies us to go because there is nothing holding us back, no competing glory, fear, threat or love that hinders our going. Saved from sin s slavery we gladly and willingly become a slave of God. Rom6:22 Reconciled to God, we are prepared and readied to serve like Jesus models, commands and commissions to demonstrate His love that brings perfect peace in Jesus Christ. What if the way we served one another AS the church, including but not limited to AMONG the church, reflected and reminded us of the way Christ served us on the cross? And why doesn t it? This is exactly what Jesus is teaching his disciples. Those who are most ready to wash feet are those who have had their feet washed. The one most ready to serve Jesus is the one who knows they ve been saved, who knows what they were saved from, who knows what salvation is doing in them, and who knows what salvation can do for any other who believe. I have found that it s not what surrounds most people that hinders them from participating in gospel mission, their environment, situation or otherwise. Rather, it s what resides within that prevents their engagement; shame, fear, comfort and convenience, title, status or standing among others. These are the things that I hear and see keeping people from a faithful witness and missional engagement. God s peace sets us free by washing us from everything that truly hinders, beginning within us. Until we live in Jesus peace, we will never know the freedom to take off our outer cloak, roll up our sleeves, tie on a towel of selfless labor, and bend down to get gritty and dirty by serving others less worthy so they can know God loves them and wants to save them through Jesus Christ. APPL #3 Living in God s peace leads you to get down and dirty serving those who are unworthy. Serving people who are worthy makes sense, it just doesn t make much impact. Jesus says that to love people who love you in return is no different than the unrighteous. Luke6:32 The world works this way. Serving people who do not deserve it is most Christ-like. Serving that matters, the way Jesus served, is to serve people who scoff at our act, who scorn, ridicule and reject us, lash out at and even hate us with greater intensity because of our service. This is where serving really starts to matter. WHAT Jesus has sent you to do is to be done in the WAY He did it, in the spirit of a servant Mark10:45, so that your life is sanctified more into the likeness of Him who is your life as you serve. ILLUS Family Vacation in DC (Bethany offered food to a homeless lady.) A lady came into the small taco bar where we were eating lunch. She was loud and very disruptive with her demands for food. Her aggressiveness was concerning. The shop owner finally got her to leave. As we exited a few minutes later, the lady was standing outside. Bethany took snacks from her day pack and, before I could stop her, walked up to the lady, patted her on the shoulder and offered them to her saying, you can have my snacks if you re hungry. The lady abruptly turned around, loudly cursed her and rejected her snacks. I knew where this was headed, and I didn t like it. But I had to let her do it so she could learn it. Serving people doesn t get them into a relationship with Jesus, but it DOES show them the One who laid down His life so they can know God. This world is full of unworthy, dying people who are going to hell. And they are waiting on Jesus servants, you and me, to tell them and serve them that Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Peace with God through Jesus Christ brings a Christ-follower into the heart of God s redemptive mission in this world, where unworthy people await good news. APPL #4 Ridicule, rejection and persecution do not stop, nor serve as a sign to stop, a Christian from serving. If rejection in any form justified stopping gospel mission, then Jesus would ve dismissed his betrayer BEFORE he demonstrated the gospel. But, Judas ate with Jesus and had his feet washed by Him. Jesus KNEW Judas was at the table, 4
Y-E-T that did not stop Jesus from serving him to share the gospel with him. When people ridicule and reject you for serving Jesus mission, Christian, it s not about you. They are rejecting Jesus. I wish I were a better model of this principle. I do pray that I am learning and maturing. Nobody wants to openly reject Jesus. It s much easier to find fault and blame another person. People will hate on you, Christian, because they hated Jesus first. The Christian s identity and worth is not found in the ones to whom we go, but anchored in the One in whose Name we are sent. THIS is the potency of what Jesus is teaches, of HOW God s peace readies us for His Kingdom mission. Christians don t serve to have our egos stroked or our identity validated. We don t serve to justify the means by the end. Christians serve because we ve been served by Jesus and made His servants. Serving sanctifies our life, making us more like Jesus. Rom6:22 Rejection and persecution is never a sign to stop serving Jesus, but an affirmation of just how dirty sin really is. When serving gets hard, know that Jesus is working on the hardest part of sin through you. And, when serving gets hard, just know that the gospel s sanctifying work is breaking through the deepest and hardest part of sin s hold in you. The gospel IS the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. Rom1:17 Do NOT give up, Christian. Do NOT stop serving Jesus! What God is doing IN you and THROUGH you is FAR GREATER greater than anything done TO you in serving Him. I want LifePoint to be full of foot-washers. Christ-followers who want to wash feet so much that they live their lives looking for dirty feet to wash, because their lives have been washed by Jesus. I savor the fact that I know of so many in our body who serve to dig in the dirt to help others. LifePoint serves to help the poor and marginalized in our region. Thank you. LifePoint serves to fight for the unborn. Thank you. LifePoint serves to set slaves free from trafficking. Thank you. LifePoint serves to see justice prevail in our city. Thank you. These are not the only ways in which LifePoint is serving in our city, but they are some of the dirtiest. Many serve battle against common social ills in our city, to ease suffering and make like more bearable and joyful. Thank you. And, alongside our faithful witness, let us show by our deeds of service that God is good and Jesus is worthy of all our worship. You cannot do everything and you can t serve everyone. But everyone can do something and serve someone. Let s all believe what Christ has done for us, said and shown to us by doing something for one that we wish we could do for all. Salvation from God in Jesus Christ that saves and sets free, redeems and sends Christians to live as a servant of His mission. Jesus gives peace with God that sends Christians to share and serve as Servants in the world. 5