GOD'S WORD: John 13:1-17
Paraphrase
At a meal just before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that in coming from God everything had been placed under his power but that now his time had come to return to God and leave the world and those whom he loved. The meal progressed with the devil having already incited Judas to betray Jesus as he stood up, took off his outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist, took a basin of water, began washing his disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel.
When Peter asked him if he was going to wash his feet, Jesus told him he didn’t understand what he was doing now but would later on, although Peter protested anyway telling Jesus he should never lower himself to washing his feet. Jesus responded by telling Peter that unless he washed his feet he had no business being with him which led to Peter quickly changing course and asking Jesus to wash his entire body instead. Jesus answered by telling him that since he had bathed his body was clean and only his feet were dirty and in need of cleaning – indicating that not everyone of them had a clean body in the sense of sin knowing that Judas was planning to betray him.
When he was done washing their feet he returned to the table asking them if they understood what he had just happened telling them that they correctly call him Teacher and Lord yet he had lowered himself to serve them by washing their feet as an example for how they are to serve one another. Jesus told them since a servant isn’t greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one with the message, He had done this so they would be able to humble themselves as servants knowing it was blessed to do so.
Principles
Central Idea of the Text (CIT)
Interrogatory (INT)
Answer (ANS)
A. Meaning for 1st Century Readers
I. CIT: John told his 1st Century Readers that Jesus taught his disciples how to serve one another.
II. INT: How did Jesus teach his disciples to serve one another?
III. ANS: Jesus taught his disciples to serve one another through:
A. Love (people) v 1
B. Compassion (power) vv 2-3
C. Humility (serving) vv 4-11
D. Sacrifice(example) vv 12-17
B. Meaning for 21st Century Readers
I. CIT: John tells us today that Jesus teaches us how to serve one another.
II. INT: How does Jesus teach us to serve one another?
III. ANS: Jesus teaches us to serve one another through:
A. Love – Neighbor as Self
“A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one
another. By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
B. Compassion - Non-Abusive Power
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—Matthew 20:25-27
C. Humility - Serve Others First
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many.” Mark 4:5
•
D. Sacrifice - The Cross “Take Up Your Cross Daily and Follow Me”
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
Prayer
Our Father, Teach us to love as You Love.
Our Father, Make our servant hearts humble.
Our Father, Fill us with Your compassion.
Our Father, Keep us from abusing power & authority.
Our Father, Give us courage to sacrifice in Your Name.
Our Father, Help us to put others first like Your Son.
Our Father, We pray in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior,
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment