The Pilgrim Path---John 13: 12-17 (5--23--20)

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? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 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. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

Not long ago my wife and I, listened to H. B. Charles, Jr., (Shiloh Church, Jacksonville, Florida) preach from this passage. It was soul-renewing. I really needed to hear about the servant-hood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I did not come to be served---but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many!"

The Lord Jesus was always a servant. Take note of his role of washing his disciple's feet in this passage. Hear from Dr. D. A. Carson: "Doubtless the disciples would have been happy to wash Jesus' feet; they could not conceive of washing one another's feet, since this was a task normally reserved for the lowliest of menial servants. Peers did not wash one another's feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. Some Jews insisted that Jewish slaves should not be required to wash the feet of others; this job should be reserved for Gentile slaves, or for women and children and pupils..."

Jesus even washes the feet of Judas. Go back to the start of the chapter and check it out...

"Through our union with Jesus, and the encouragement of his love, we are set free to honor one another above ourselves, and to serve each other in humility (Phil. 2: 1-11)." Scotty Smith

Jesus was on his way to the cross. So often, his disciples were simply concerned about, "who will be the greatest in your kingdom?" The "flesh"---is always about dominating people...Leading people in godly servant-hood is different...

"Self-righteous service requires external rewards. It needs to know that people see and appreciate the effort. It seeks human applause---with the proper religious modesty of course...Self-righteous service is highly concerned about results. It eagerly wants to see of the person served will reciprocate in kind...The flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honor and recognition. It will devise subtle, religiously acceptable means to call attention to the service rendered." Richard Foster

At the heart of service---should be love for Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:13). This drives you to love others...serve others...

"If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." John 13:17

"Ambitious, proud men are so far from blessedness that they lie under a curse, especially if they know their duty and will not do it; for it followeth, on the contrary, if ye know these things, cursed are ye if ye do them not---James 4:17; Psalm 119: 21" George Hutcheson

"Words are but wind, and leave no impression as a ship in the sea, but actions are noticed by men...The more men know and the less they do, the more they dishonor God. O let us do the works of true Christians, and approve ourselves to God and man! Do not be content with the easier and cheaper work. Every morning in the planning of your affairs, acknowledge your own disability and commend yourself to the work of his grace in desire and action. Entreat him for help that Christ may live through you." Samuel Ward

If you had not thought it is critical, I would remind you that praying for the members of the Body---is extremely important. Especially as you are able to connect with them and find out about particular concerns. Reformation and revival--- are always concerns for prayer. Serve as you were designed---for Jesus' glory and the good of the Body.

A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will!

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

The LORD keep You ALL, Pastor Jason