LIVE BY EXAMPLE

 

John 13:1-20

 

Its in this chapter we find the Saviour, in most intimate fellowship with His disciples, where Jesus revealed the love, He had for them and their future. This is where Jesus would minister and demonstrate He loved His disciples, not only onto the cross, but to the end. His return to the Father soon, would neither terminate nor diminish His love for His own; and this is true for all those who are His today a well. Its here in the Upper Room Discourse begins with a dramatic call to follow Christ’s example as a servant. Jesus tells us, if we are to be His followers, where we must begin, what qualities must be in our lives, and what we must do; the Upper Room Discourse is where we find these answers.

Being an example is not just……..

A workplace thing.

A neighbor thing.

An obligation thing.

A church thing

 

For the Christian being an example begins…….in the home, in our marriages, in our everyday dealings with our children, in the work place, wherever the lost are found. It starts within our own hearts, before it ever goes outside where lost people are. Being an example is a Christian’s life from this point on, not a when we like to turn it on or off for certain people. Being an example is a godly virtue, that has been birthed out of a love towards fallen sinners like you, and me, because of the gospel. Think about your gospel witness or confession this morning in relation to the lost around you. Do they see you as a changed person? Do they see you as a follower of Christ? Does your actions measure up to your profession? We need to give lost people more credit than we give them at times, because to be honest they are watching us more than they are listening to us. See, this kind of example to live by in front of others requires something we all should strive for and sometimes hard to reach! HUMILITY

 

What does humility mean? Ethically it’s a freedom from pride and arrogance, a modest estimate of one's own worth. In theological terms, humility consists in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, and it’s an act of submission to God.

 

Humility is honestly assessing our lives in light of God’s

holiness and our sinfulness.

 

Jesus Christ in His humanity sets the bar or the standard to which we are to live day by day to…

Not just at church

Not just at the work place

Not just when we feel like it

 

We are to demonstrate the example of humility at all times; through the good the bad, our trials, our shortcomings, and in our error of understanding. Remember what the Apostle Paul reminded the church at Philippi “Let nothing be done through selfish (interest, centered) ambition or conceit, but in lowliness (humility, meekness) of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Phil 2:2-4. Sacrifice follows and is accustomed to humility, Paul says this, so that we don’t have a misunderstanding in thinking I’m taking this out of context listen to the verses that follow. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” 

Phil 2:5-8

 

That’s true humility which is a product of self-sacrifice, thinking of others above my wants and desires. “Sacrifice follows humility” How are you working this out in your Christian life as you serve others. Jesus’ whole earthly life was dominated by service. ”even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matt 20:238

This section of Scripture is a wonderful reminder of how I’m to live in this present and future world system. The disciples are alone with Jesus in the upper room and the world was locked out.

The disciples sitting in a traditional posture around the table, with one arm supporting their head. Their feet stretched out behind them away from the table All 12 of them....Yes! Even Judas the betrayer I want you to really remember Judas’s this morning as I share from God’s word today about being an example! The reason being……what is about to take place humbles me every time, as I think about what Jesus did here: This act of sacrificial love towards even the worst of sinners like Judas, myself and you. Sometimes I struggle when I see the sins of others; we are so quick to judge and throw them under the bus first, and then ask questions or forgive later. This is where I, we, need to be the most teachable as we examine this portion of John’s gospel. John wrote, “The hour has come” again referring to the death that He is about to undertake for all humanity to please the Father’s wrath. Everything Jesus set out to do for the Father was about to be fulfilled through His humility and submission to pay the price for our sins. This was a divinely appointed hour, when He would be glorified through His death and resurrection and coming ascension. The cross only being a few hours away and we see Jesus reminding us a truth that we need to live by constantly.

 

CHRISTIAN bE AN EXAMPLE OF THE CONTINUING UNCONDITIONAL LOVE CHRIST DISPLAYED FOR HIS PEOPLE.

 

(v1) we see the heart of the gospel. “He loved His own…and He loved them to the end.” There was no selfish, self-focus to His agony; if anything, it seemed to draw His closer to them.

Which means, “to perfection” with “a perfecting love”

 

We know Jesus loved the whole world found in

John 3:16 referring to lost sinners.

 

But its here in this text (v1) we get a glimpse into the heart of who those sinners are. We see Jesus isn’t talking about the whole world will be saved in these verses! “Having loved His own” Jesus is referring to those whom He called unto Himself in repentance and faith Jesus is referring to those whom He came to save out of darkness. Jesus is referring to those whom He perfects with an eternal love. 

John MacArthur says “Even the impending of His own death could not separate His disciples from His love.” His love for these disciples never wavered as His love for those who are His today, tomorrow and into eternity.

 

Jesus loved them, despite future events that His disciples would in a few hours…..

Be scattered like scared sheep.

Forsake Him like a leper

Curse His name like the world

Betray Him like the Pharisee’s did

Yet! Jesus loved them all……….yes, even Judas the betrayer.

 

See the Lord Jesus love is exemplified in the essence of the gospel message.

He loved us before we would ever love Him.

God loves us so much, it’s a love like nothing else.

It’s a perfecting love that is willing to lay down His life for a friend.

 

It’s the same kind of love the Christian is called to do according to the Scriptures. We should demonstrate this love……..

Men, in our marriage.

Ladies, in your marriage.

Children, as you obey your parents.

Church family, as you care for one another and the lost in our community.

Disclaimer: If you think this love only extends to those who don’t wrong or mistreat us; and only for those who do good things that please us, then you truly don’t understand this passage or the gospel that saved your wretched soul from the wrath of God.

 

One of the best times to show love is when others are

showing the opposite towards you

 

Again, He loved His children unto the end Perfection! But Jesus had a betrayer amongst His children (look at v2) His name:  Judas Iscariot

 

A man who was in charge of the money for the group.

A man who followed and listened to what Jesus said and taught for 3 years.

A man who had the opportunity to see amazing things done by our Lord.

A man whose heart was growing harder and more hateful by the minute.

A man who demonstrated to humanity how evil a heart is able to sink under observing truth.

A man whom the Lord loved so much to even go to the Cross for him.

 

Judas was a greedy man, a heartless man, a wicked man who had one thing on his mind. (ME, SELF) Judas cared only about what was best for Judas, and no one else; he is the poster child of humanity today, the poster child of narcissism. We see something that is unprecedented (unbelievable, extraordinary) in the next verses! We see something that is unheard of or unusual. We see something that should never happen according to society. We see something that would seem uncalled for in our present environment. What is that? The love of God put into action; which brings me to my next point.

 

CHRISTIAN BE AN EXAMPLE BY PUTTING THAT LOVE INTO ACTION.

 

What were about to see is true humility in action that ultimately follows sacrifice. (Look at v4) “Jesus girded Himself” assuming a servant’s dress, it’s getting ready to do your chores, or go to work. It’s taking off your good cloths to put on work cloths. Why did Jesus remove His robe and display Himself as a servant or a slave? We will see the answer in a minute! First, we need to understand that foot washing was never to be done by a master For a superior, to wash the feet of an inferior, was unheard of in Jewish or Roman culture. This was reserved for the lowest of slaves (even Jewish slaves were not required to perform it. Only Gentiles were responsible for this duty. The disciples dropped the bomb on this one and so do we at times; because their pride and arrogance got in the way. See the disciples were too busy debating who was going to be the first among them in Luke’s letter. In Luke 22:24 it says “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.” They forgot what Jesus said earlier to them and the people that were listening, “…And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matt 23:9-12

 

So why did Jesus gird Himself?

Because His words fell on deaf ears.

 

Why? Again, we are naturally selfish people, who don’t understand what true humility really means. So, Jesus exemplifies this by putting HIS WORDS INTO ACTION! So, Jesus gets a basin of water to demonstrate His love and humility towards those who don’t deserve the love of God. Think about what is going through the mind of our Lord and Saviour as He prepares to wash His disciples’ feet. Perhaps as He dries Thomas feet, “My dear Thomas, who will soon be lost after I die on the cross for Him.”. As He washes Peter’s feet, “These feet will take him to a place where he will curse His Lord publicly.” And when He gets to Judas, “These feet will soon steal away in the dark for 30 pieces of silver.” Jesus’ demonstration by washing the disgusting, dirty, smelly, dried, calloused hairy feet of these men, showed them the extent of His love for them, despite their understanding and selfish hearts. Its here we see into the heart of Peter as he speaks up with a question? (v6) “Lord, are You washing my feet?” He knew that His Lord shouldn’t have been doing this, but refrained until it was his turn.

 

But, Peter totally missed the point and didn’t understand

what Jesus was doing and why.

 

With Peter, we see impatience, respect and love all mingled together. The dedication of Peter is commendable and we see the genuine purity of his heart. But its here we see Peter’s unwillingness to wait in order to understand his problem. Peter first reaction is protest, but later it would produce understanding and wisdom to share with future generations. What Jesus was doing had a purpose. It was an example of what had to be done if Peter was ever to see his Lord again. This is a wonderful picture of the gospel. Jesus would humbly submit himself on the cross, which was the lowest form of punishment for the worst of criminals. He would soon in hours drink the cup of wrath by the Father, for our sins and by drinking this cup His death cleanses us from our sin with His precious blood. This is why Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” 

Eph 1:7

This why Jesus is asked the question and He explains the answer to His disciples. (v9-v10) He finishes by saying “you are completely clean” (See, it’s wasn’t the act of washing the disciple’s feet and that we should go around washing feet) What Jesus was saying is that, “When one had bathed and then walked to another’s house, he only needed his feet washed in order to be clean.” As a child of God, a disciple of Christ did not need a radical cleansing, but rather a daily cleansing from the contaminating effects of sin. When you are saved through the gospel, you are set apart for God, you are His forever. (which is speaking about your salvation that never needs to be repeated)

All who have been cleansed by His grace will need

constant washing to battle sin in the flesh.

 

It’s the same Idea that Paul speaks in his personal walk with the Lord. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” 

Phil 3:12-14

 

Peter, you have been “Bathed all over and your sins are washed away forgiven.” Jesus said that Peter, was clean, and he would one day understand all this later when the time was right for him to proclaim to others. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” 1 Peter 3:18. Here is where you’ll truly see the heart of a Christian, and how they display Christ’s love to others on a daily basis.Why? Jesus says something in (v11) that confused the disciples “Peter you are clean! But one of you is not clean? Judas! The question we could ask ourselves is, “Can you love the unlovable, the haters and blasphemers?” This is where we see the grace of the gospel extended to undeserving sinners. Jesus loved Judas, despite his hatred, and his plan, to sell Him out to the elites. Jesus knew Judas’s heart and it was in line to Satan as we know Satan was present. (v3)

But here is mercy and grace on display and this is what

Should humbles us under the weight of the gospel.

 

Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to come to Him as He knew the other disciples would. Jesus displayed the greatest example of humility by washing the very feet of the one who would betray Him a few hours. Jesus displayed the greatest example of love, towards Judas, that Jesus loved Him to the end even in his betrayal. Jesus demonstrated that same love for every single person on this earth. Whether you love Him or hate Him.

 

What does Jesus tell His disciples to do?  (v15)

“you do the same also”

 

I love how Kent Hughes makes this passage practical for church people like you and me. “We must become people of towels” How do we do that as a church family? By sacrificing our wants and desires for the sake others. By humbling ourselves to those around us, and seeking the needs of others through the example that Christ gave us. By showing Christ’s love to the fullest extent to those in our family and communities. By starting with each other, here in this church! Be a servant that is humble, not full of pride, wondering if you’re going to be greatest among the rest of us. What we learn about this selfless act of Jesus is this… We are not here to be served, or to have all our wants and desires met by others. We are set apart to do good works, which He works in and through our lives. We are called/elected, by God because He knew our hearts needed a Savior. We are given life through His Son, because He humbled Himself on a cross. We are loved with a perfecting love which only the Lord can do and produce in the ones who are His. Its this truth that reveals that we are blessed when we follow the example of Christ. (v17) Remember, Jesus did not say, “We will be happy if think about these things or learn about them, or if other do them on to us.”

 

Happy are you if you do them?