Embracing Humility: The Call to Serve and Love
Summary
Beloved, as we gather today, let us be reminded of the profound truth that we are cleansed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His blood, we stand in perfect relationship with God, not because of our own deeds, but because of His righteousness. This cleansing is not a one-time event but a continuous application of His grace in our daily lives. Jesus, in His infinite love, has not only cleansed us but calls us to serve one another in humility, following His example.
In the Gospel of John, chapter 13, we witness the Savior, who, knowing His time had come, chose to demonstrate His love by washing His disciples' feet. This act was more than a lesson in humility; it was a depiction of the spiritual cleansing He provides. Jesus, fully aware of His divine origin and destiny, embraced the role of a servant, washing the feet of His followers, including His betrayer. This scene encapsulates the essence of our humble Savior, who left the glory of Heaven to serve and ultimately sacrifice Himself for us.
We are called to emulate Jesus' example, not merely through physical acts of service but by exposing our vulnerabilities and sins to one another, offering the same forgiveness and restoration we have received in Christ. This requires humility on both sides: the one who bears their struggles and the one who lovingly points them back to God's promises. It is in this mutual submission and service that we find true fellowship and the blessing of being vessels of God's love and grace.
As we delve into the Scriptures, we find that life is indeed better with loving relationships. Ecclesiastes chapter 4 teaches us the value of companionship and mutual support. Similarly, in John 13, Jesus invites us into a fruitful relationship with Him and, by extension, with others. He calls us to love as He has loved us, laying down His life for His friends, and in doing so, He cleanses us completely.
In our journey, we will encounter moments that reveal our imperfections and sins. Yet, we can approach Jesus with confidence, knowing He has already addressed our deepest needs. We are to bear one another's burdens, as instructed in Galatians 6, restoring each other with gentleness and fulfilling the law of Christ. It is in this spirit that we become safe havens for each other, pointing back to the Savior who loves us to the end.
Let us pray that we may be channels of God's love, reflecting His kindness and mercy to the world. May we live out the truth that we are cleansed and forgiven, and may our lives proclaim His goodness until He calls us home.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet is a powerful demonstration of His servant leadership and the spiritual cleansing He offers. We are to receive His service and replicate it in our relationships, serving others with the humility and love that He has shown us. This is the essence of Christian fellowship and discipleship. [49:33]
- True spiritual service involves vulnerability and the willingness to share our struggles with one another. In doing so, we apply the work of Christ to our daily walk, reminding each other of the confidence and cleansing found in Him. This mutual submission to one another is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [42:57]
- The concept of being "completely clean" is foundational to our faith. It is not our actions but the blood of Jesus that cleanses us and secures our standing before God. This assurance allows us to draw near to God with confidence, knowing that our relationship with Him is based on Christ's righteousness alone. [27:00]
- Bearing one another's burdens is a practical expression of the love we have received from Christ. As we restore each other in a spirit of gentleness, we fulfill the law of Christ and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. This creates a community where it is safe to be transparent and supportive, reflecting the character of Jesus. [46:13]
- Our response to Jesus' love and service should be one of worship and gratitude. As we recognize the depth of His sacrifice and the ongoing work of applying His forgiveness to our lives, we are compelled to live as vessels of His love, pointing others to the hope and restoration found in Him. [51:09]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 13:1-17 (ESV)
"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. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 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, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, do you wash my feet?' Jesus answered him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.' 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.' Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!' 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.' For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, 'Not all of you are clean.' 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.'"
2. Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV)
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
3. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Observation Questions:
1. In John 13, what actions did Jesus take before washing the disciples' feet, and what was Peter's initial reaction to Jesus' offer to wash his feet?
2. How did Jesus explain the significance of washing the disciples' feet, and what did He say about being clean?
3. According to Galatians 6:1-2, what is the responsibility of those who are spiritual when a brother is caught in transgression?
4. What does Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 suggest about the value of companionship and mutual support?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think Jesus chose the act of washing feet to teach His disciples about service and humility?
2. What does Jesus mean when He says, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean"?
3. How does bearing one another's burdens fulfill the law of Christ, as mentioned in Galatians?
4. In what ways does the metaphor of a threefold cord in Ecclesiastes relate to the Christian community?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you could have served someone in humility. How might you respond differently in the future based on Jesus' example?
2. Consider a time when you needed to be restored gently. How can you offer that same gentleness to someone else this week?
3. Identify a relationship in your life that could benefit from mutual support. What specific action will you take to strengthen that bond?
4. Think of a person in your community who is facing a burden. What is one practical way you can help bear their burden this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Servant Leadership
The act of Jesus washing the disciples' feet is a profound example of servant leadership, a model that calls for humility and a willingness to serve others as He did. This act was not just about physical cleanliness but symbolized the deeper spiritual cleansing that Jesus provides. As followers of Christ, one is encouraged to not only accept this humble service but to also embody it in their interactions with others. By doing so, they participate in the essence of Christian fellowship and discipleship, which is built on the foundation of love and humility that Jesus exemplified.
"Though the Lord was high, He cared for the lowly; though lofty, He sees them from afar." - Psalm 138:6
Reflection: How can you demonstrate servant leadership in your own community today, following the example of Jesus' humility and love? [49:33]
Day 2: Vulnerability in Fellowship
True spiritual service requires vulnerability, an openness to share one's struggles, and to engage in the lives of others with compassion and empathy. This level of transparency is essential in applying the work of Christ to daily life, as it allows believers to remind one another of the confidence and cleansing found in Him. Mutual submission to one another within the body of Christ is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, fostering a community where individuals can grow and support each other in their walk with God.
"Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - James 5:16
Reflection: In what ways can you practice vulnerability with fellow believers to strengthen your communal bond and spiritual growth? [42:57]
Day 3: Cleansed by Christ Alone
The concept of being "completely clean" is central to Christian faith, emphasizing that it is not by one's actions but by the blood of Jesus that one is cleansed and made righteous before God. This cleansing is a gift of grace that assures believers of their standing with God, allowing them to approach Him with confidence. Understanding that one's relationship with God is based on Christ's righteousness alone can liberate believers from the burden of trying to earn God's favor and instead lead them to live in the freedom of His grace.
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God." - Hebrews 10:12
Reflection: How does the assurance of being "completely clean" through Christ's sacrifice influence your daily approach to God and others? [27:00]
Day 4: Bearing Each Other's Burdens
Bearing one another's burdens is a practical way to express the love received from Christ. It involves restoring each other with a spirit of gentleness, which is a reflection of the law of Christ. This creates a community where it is safe to be transparent and supportive, allowing believers to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. As members of the body of Christ, individuals are called to support one another, providing a haven of restoration and encouragement.
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
Reflection: What are some tangible ways you can help bear someone's burden today, and how can you encourage others to do the same? [46:13]
Day 5: Living as Vessels of Love
In response to Jesus' love and service, believers are called to live as vessels of His love, reflecting His kindness and mercy to the world. Recognizing the depth of His sacrifice and the ongoing work of applying His forgiveness to their lives compels them to live out the gospel in practical ways. As vessels of God's love, believers have the opportunity to point others to the hope and restoration found in Christ, living in a way that proclaims His goodness.
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Reflection: What specific action can you take today to serve as a vessel of God's love and mercy to those around you? [51:09]
Quotes
- "Believer, you are completely clean. It's not because you've done everything perfectly... It's his righteousness and his work and his blood that is the footing upon which you stand." [26:06] (Download | Download cropped video)
- "In cleansing our feet, he applies the truth of the Gospel, the forgiveness that he won already by laying down his life and shedding his blood... Believer, you are clean, and he continues to apply that cleansing." [40:05] (Download | )
- "Jesus is talking about the exposure of ourselves and our sin that needs to be addressed... He's talking about the Dirty Work of humbling ourselves to subject ourselves to one another, showing our dirty feet and being willing to say there's cleansing for you in Christ." [42:17] (Download | )
- "We bear one another's burdens... if people experience the meekness and gentleness of Jesus Christ when they come to you and to me with their burden of sin and guilt and hurt, they are far more likely to come to us again." [46:57] (Download | )
- "The fingers that crafted the universe scrub scum from between toes... He is the god who makes his glory visible in lowliness and servitude... He is the god who is love, therefore he loves you by giving to you." [49:26] (Download | )
- "We have been completely forgiven and cleansed and we've been declared righteous... life will unveil our need... yet we can approach Jesus with confidence, knowing He has already addressed our deepest needs." [27:00] (Download | )
- "Jesus calls you and I to serve one another... what Jesus is depicting here is not just about doing dirty jobs... he's talking about the exposure of ourselves and our sin that needs to be addressed and he addresses it." [40:53] (Download | )
- "The love that we have received is so glorious... we become channels of that love... we bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." [45:24] (Download | )
- "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands... rose from supper, laid aside his outer garments, and began to wash the disciples' feet... He willingly subjects himself to being dressed like a servant." [12:08] (Download | )
- "Jesus starts to wash his disciples' feet, their feet are becoming clean and he is becoming dirty... He willingly subjects himself to being dressed like a servant and to work in their dirty scene with their dirty feet." [12:54] (Download | )
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