What words could we describe our church family? We can say the right answer is one phrase and that is “humble servants.” We are not a big shot Baptist but, in many ways, we are just a family of humble servants.

There are people who are not looking for credit or applause, people who are not concerned about their positions, titles and although they were blessed with a lot of stability, many people who have a very educated with several pursuing their doctorates and by God’s grace they were used as humble servants of God in the church.

What and who makes that possible? We did not come out of the womb with that humble attitude. We live in a world characterized by pride, selfishness and attitude opposite of humility in service.

It is possible because we can enjoy life in Jesus by serving others.

Jesus is saying unto them in: John 12:35-36 “Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.³⁶ While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.”

Then the Apostle John had said in John 12:36b-37 “These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. ³⁷ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:” This is the time when Jesus turns His attention to His disciples telling them to prepare for His death, burial, and resurrection.

Let us take a look one of the earlier passages coming to fulfillment.

John 1:11-12 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Who are really the sons of God mentioned here by John? How are these sons of God relate to one another when Jesus is gone? In order for us to know the answers let us start our text for this sermon in John 13:1-20.

Let us consider the four responses to Jesus in washing the feet of the disciples.

I – CHALLENGES THAT MUST BE ENDURED – v.1-4

Jesus serve His disciples not because it was convenient, easy or without free, or because it was part of being with the group. Not few but many challenges Jesus was facing.

A. Challenge to truly love with sacrifice and faithfulness – v.1

John 13:1 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

Jesus knows that this is the beginning of the end for Him. Jesus is entering the final chapter of his earthly ministry. It says in verse 1 “Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father.” The Apostle John looks back and says that Jesus had “loved his own which were in the world.” Then the Apostle John looks forward and says “he love them unto the end.”

At this point Jesus ministry has been demanding, physically tired and hungry; relationally Jesus has been misunderstood and mistreated by his friends and family; then publicly Jesus had been always accused and cornered by the religious elite. What is all this compared to the punishment by the wrath of God for all the sins of all mankind.

Jesus Christ, facing the hot journey on the bumpy uphill road of Golgotha, tripping several times while carrying the heavy cross which resulted in the trampling, hitting, insulting, hate and anger of the sinners whom the Lord loved. Jesus' thirst was not only for the heat of the sun but thirst for love. Nails were driven into his hands and feet and piercings into his side. Thrust into his head the sharp crowns of insult. He writhed in pain as his blood poured out covering his face and entire body. Jesus legs were broken and he was gasping for breath as he gradually lost His physical strength on the cross. All sacrifices are due to love and faithfulness not to one sinner but to the sin of all.

After all, God punished Jesus not for the sin of just one person but many. What must it mean when Isaiah says about the servant Jesus in Isaiah 53:6 “the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Jesus had accomplished his Father’s will unwaveringly. But throughout it all sacrifices and sufferings, Jesus knew He had the pleasure and favor of His Father. It had been pronounced over him (Matt. 3:17; Matthew 17:5).

Listen, on that time, Jesus could have said “I am about to do my part, I am going to obey the will of God even to the death on the cross, so someone else is going to wash the dirty feet problem." But no, Jesus loved for His disciples up to the end and Jesus’ love was both sacrificial and faithful. Jesus loved us to the end.

Are you willing to serve others sacrificially and faithfully? Are you faithful servants of God? do you want to sacrifice or offer your time, your mind, heart and strength in service to God and to the church of God?

A. Challenge to triumph over the intense spiritual battle – v.2

The Lord Jesus Christ as God knows everything, knew what Satan was planning to do, and Jesus even knew what Judas was planning to do.

John 13:2 “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;”

But as a personal question, did someone have been betrayed you? If you have been betrayed by someone, did you feel doing favor in return by washing the feet of the one who betrayed you?

Now, read II Corinthians 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. ⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

In that passage, Paul described his thorn in the flesh as a messenger of Satan to torment him but Satan never receives center stage, although Satan craves for it, Satan could not fully penetrate, because God still in control, Satan is overshadowed by the sufficient grace of God. The Lord assured Paul “My grace is sufficient for thee:”

Like what happened to Paul’s thorn in the flesh, that Satan is overshadowed by the sufficient grace of God, the same is true here in our passage, John mentioned Satan in verse 2 but Satan has been overshadowed by something far more powerful, and that is the humility of sacrificial service of Jesus Christ. By Jesus sacrificial humble service, and remained faithful to do the will of God in spite of every weapon that Satan’s releases. The abounding grace of God still prevails through the Lord’s humble service, in spite of the coming intense crucifixion and facing the spiritual struggle brought by the opposing Satan, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. What a humble servant!

With regards to the point in our passage about the importance of humility in serving God and others, Peter would later write in I Peter 5:6-8 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: ⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. ⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

When we talk about serving others, we possibly became uncomfortable, and we do not want to serve God or others especially if those people have done evil against you. We notice and see that there is spiritual struggle going on, tempting us not to serve others. You know why? Paul gives us the reason why there was spiritual struggle to serve and that is because of Satan’s opposing force, Paul writes this truth to the Ephesian’s believers in Ephesians 6:10-12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” So, it is not mainly the people whom you will serve, it is not the ministries where you will serve, and it is not even God when you have some problems, causes the spiritual struggle in serving with humility, it is Satan who makes you uncomfortable in serving God and others and erase your desires to be used as God servants and be a blessing to others. Watch out of Satan!

A. Challenge to trust the heavenly father is at work – v.3-4

John 13:3-4 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; ⁴He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself."

Many people in the church think that it is easier to become a humble servant if they know what the end result will be as they served others. Possibly the person I am asked to serve is not loveable or I feel not comfortable to serve especially if that person had something that you do not agree with. However, we trust God the Father that He has an eternal plan in all of the situation and what was going on.

May be the feet I am washing right now is someone who will stab me in the back, or someone who belong to people who will hurt the body of Christ, the church, or someone who hurt and does not care for the church, who will leave the church as disloyal, rebellious. We need to learn to leave that in the hands of the heavenly Father, who knows each one of us, and the One who will make all things right in His will, in His way, according to His Word, in God’s perfect time. Trusting that God the Father is at work.

Part of humility is leaving the final outcome to the hands of the One who perfectly knows the beginning of everything from the end.

Notice the scene that is often called the fourfold hallelujah in the book of Revelation. Part of that fourfold hallelujah is in Revelation 19:5-6 “And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. ⁶And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” We notice the connection between the beginning and the end. We have evident reason as servants of God to praise and trust God’s sovereign power because God reigns as an omnipotent One as we serve God and others. Leaving and trusting everything to God is serving with humility.

Jesus is willing to endure the challenges of humble service. Some of these challenges is evident that the disciples’ arguments for positions of authority and who will be the greatest in the kingdom of Christ. And there was one case we read that even these disciples mother makes the request about her son to be in the greatest position in authority in Christ kingdom. These challenges Jesus faced includes, first the disciples arguing about who be the greatest, second the reclining of the disciples at a table where they would literally have their dirty feet in one another’s faces.

Hence, the Lord Jesus in John 13:4 “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.” Why could we make excuses and what reason could we make for not serving in a particular situation, when we see how humble servant Jesus was when He faced these challenges at that moment. Jesus did not focus exclusively on the sacrificial sufferings at the cross He was about to make or Jesus' fret about the treacherous betrayal that was about to occur, or Jesus make a demand that someone else do their share and deal with washing dirty feet of their fellow disciples.

Are you willing to be like Jesus to endure the challenges of humble services? The challenge of trusting your heavenly Father who is at work, He has a perfect plan, don’t worry about people’s weaknesses, what may these in the future done unto you, just serve God and others humbly.

II – CONTROVERSY THAT MUST BE EXPECTED – v.8-9

Peter was so unpredictable in his character that sometimes he displayed both wrong extremes in the very same event. That is the Peter we have in our passage.

A. Issue that some believe serving is nothing – v.8

John 13:8a “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Notice, Peter here did not offer to switch doing the washing of feet, but to Peter what Jesus is doing is an act disrespecting or losing dignity which is unfit for the Messiah or in His kingdom. Possibly, many in the church feel that washing of dirty feet of others is demeaning. There are other people in your life that have criticize you for your service, they are thinking service is not worth. Thank God many of our brethren do not possess that attitude.

Notice, Jesus’s view of serving is different than that of Peter’s view. In reply, Jesus surprises Peter when the Lord answered in John 13:8b “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Of course, this does not simply refer to literal washing dirt off smelly feet. It is symbolic. Jesus is talking here about what He was about to accomplish for them on the cross. When Jesus said to Peter “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me” this results in Peter as he did often, turning on a dime, replied and this will be our next subpoint…

B. Idea that some believe serving is everything – v.9

John 13:9 “Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

Foot-washing symbolizes the cleansing that is the result of impending cross-work of Jesus Christ. But Peter unrestrained and thoughtless, with full of energy, excitement and cheerfulness had opens up the opportunity to turn the foot-washing to another point. The fundamental cleansing that Christ provides is a once-for-all work. Individuals who have been cleansed by the atoning work of Christ will doubtless need to have subsequent sins washed away, but the fundamental cleansing can never be repeated.

So, here Peter was once again corrected by the Lord Jesus in John 13:10 “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” Serving is good, and important thing, but the much more important or central part is always the gospel of Christ, that free gift of salvation by grace through faith on the finished work of Christ on the cross: Jesus died for our sins, buried, and resurrected. That is the power of God unto salvation. Saving of soul is much more important than serving.

We can reach other people whose lives are destroyed, deceived, doomed by sinful livings by washing their dirty feet, I mean by serving them in any way we can as we look for opportunities to share to them the gospel of salvation. If we lack genuine serving with the goal of building loving relationship and a desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ and the new hope of life available in Him, everything in our ministries is just nothing but we just have noise and no action. Without washing of dirty feet and addressing root spiritual causes, whatever approach we have is going to fall short of achieving the lasting, eternal change in the lives of lost people.

So, endure the challenges of humble service, and expect the criticism, judgmentalism, racial discrimination issue, level of people favoritism, those were controversies to be face as we commit for humble service to God and others through the gospel of salvation.

III – CALL THAT MUST BE EMBRACED – v.12-15

It is amazing to think about how one of the pairs of feet Jesus washed belonged to Judas. That would stop us making all our excuses in serving. Now, we see the Lord sits back down and say something to them.

John 13:12-15 "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? ¹³ Ye call me master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

How are you doing in your Christian life? You meet lots of people and involved in so many conversations on different people everyday?

The point is are you a servant at your home? Do you wake up and start looking for dirty feet? Even if others are not doing their part or its not unfair, are you doing your part looking at someone with a dirty foot at your home? Sharing the gospel of salvation to your family members, love ones and relatives.

How about at work, are you a servant at your work? Even if you have some management responsibilities over a lot of people, you can still lead at the same time serves others. Sharing the gospel of salvation to your co-employees in your work.

How about at church? Peter changed his tune on this subject of serving when he said something of our relationship toward brethren in I Peter 4:8-10 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. ⁹Use hospitality one to another without grudging. ¹⁰As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Peter points out that we need also to share the gospel to other people who are not saved even inside the church. But some really have struggle with this area, they were hindered by the pride and selfishness are so strong. Listen, that might be an indication that you don’t yet know Christ as your Savior, you are not really genuinely saved.

The Lord Jesus modelled the humble service as He said in John 13:13-15 “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Jesus did not only apply this life of serving others but Jesus died on the cross, buried and risen from the dead to make it possible of us to share the gospel to others. Christ leaves us an example to follow, serve God and others with humility of heart. Be humble and serve!

IV – COPIOUS BLESSINGS THAT MUST BE ENJOYED – v.17

The Lord Jesus made a sure and powerful promise to them.

John 10:17 “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

Christian life is enjoyable, that what Jesus means when He makes this promise.

Many of church members would say that some of their happiest memories they have in life involved serving together in some way.

As most of those church members who are happy, were serving together in the nursery, choir, youth ministries, vehicle ministries, ushers, soul-winning and evangelistic ministries.

Jesus’ challenge is “if ye do them” you will be happy or blessed. This promise of Jesus is true to them who do the example of Jesus given unto them to follow, that is serving with humility illustrated by Jesus washing of their feet.

If you have children in your home, we hope you are raising them to serve, the church is going to do everything to train these children and assist every parent to teach their children in those challenges for service. Let us assist parents as they raise their young people in the nurture and admonition of Christ. We hope every parent who wants their children to be blessed or happy should teach their children to follow the great example of Jesus in humble service, but of course, this will be done and become effective if the parents themselves are first the one who follow Christ example of humble service. Jesus’s promise is sure when He said, “happy are ye if ye do them”. May we have a happy church member, happy family, happy home, who are serving God and others with humility.