Jesus: Servant Leader

John 13

June 30, 2002

 

 

 

  1. Introduction
    1. John chapter 13

                                                               i.      12th sermon in the series we have been preaching on the book of John

                                                             ii.      Jesus: Servant Leader [#17]

    1. Another remarkable event I fear we have trivialized into a warm-fuzzy

                                                               i.      Washing the Disciples feet @ the Last Supper the eve before his arrest

                                                             ii.      Jesus takes a final stab at correcting their Kingdom paradigm before the change is thrust upon them.

  1. Prayer

 

  1. The Situation [#18]
    1. Apostolic build-up

                                                               i.      Selected by Jesus to be the inner twelve of many disciples

                                                             ii.      Apostles have 2.5 years of service with an often misunderstood Rabbi

                                                            iii.      Jesus’ recent divine proclamations (I am)

                                                           iv.      Open challenging of the ruling establishment

                                                             v.      The Incident at Bethany

                                                           vi.      Triumphal entry into Jerusalem complete with imported, not to mention illegal Palm branches

                                                          vii.      Four crazy days in the region [#19]

1.      Jesus has cleared the temple again (Matt. 21:12)

2.      He has been teaching and healing IN the temple courts. Children are dancing around him singing “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

    1. Apostolic perspective [#20]

                                                               i.      Raised in a Messianic hopeful culture

1.      Especially given the Roman occupation

                                                             ii.      There had been lots of Rabbis, even Messiahs, but respected men chose the teacher to learn, and THEY were common men selected by HIM.

                                                            iii.      These guys must have been tingling!

1.      All of the excitement in the past week: The danger, the intrigue, the crowds, and the attention. THESE GUYS ARE CRANKED. Just wired with fear, anticipation, pride, and hope of glory.

                                                           iv.      We know from accounts in Matthew Mark, and Luke that the apostles still do not understand the “Kingdom” and expect a traditional earthly kingdom.

1.      In Matthew 19, Jesus tells them they will sit on twelve thrones with him and judge the tribes. These guys expect to be the new 12 tribes of Israel. Forget Judah and Dan it’s the tribe of Peter, James and John!

2.      Their Kingdom paradigm is coming from the Romans So…

a.       Mark 9:33-37 they are arguing on the way into Capernaum about who will be the greatest. These chaps are dividing land!

b.      Matthew 20:20 James and John send their mom to ask the dirty question. The other disciples are mad because they are theologically shocked, they are mad because they do not want to lose position!

3.      Luke 22:24 tells us they we arguing the very evening of the Last Supper! – Which brings us to the John 13 Passage and a genuinely amazing event.




  1. John 13: 1-17 The Correction [#21]
    1. John 13-17 the Thursday Night Discourse

                                                               i.      From the Last Supper to the Arrest at Gethsemane

1.      Not the first time Jesus has tried to correct their perspective on his Kingdom

2.      Seems old paradigms die hard

                                                             ii.      This is however the last opportunity to EXPLAIN the difference. This time tomorrow he will be dead and the apostles will receive the ultimate object lesson. In 24 hours all of their personal and national hopes are destroyed. FOR AWHILE. In time they will come to understand the true kingdom of God, even suffer and die for the truth. These men become wonderful ambassadors for Christ once they “get it”

    1. After dinner while these men are arguing about who will be the greatest Jesus stands up, removes his outer garments, ties a towel on his waist and proceeds to wash the disciples feet.

                                                               i.      JAW DROPPER

1.      Humility is not seen as a virtue, but rather a sign of weakness in this culture

2.      Slaves work.

3.      Even disciples of a common rabbi, who performed many menial tasks, balked at this job.

    1. When he returned to his place at the table he teaches them again about his Kingdom saying

                                                               i.      John 13:12-17

    1. Jesus and the “upside-down kingdom” [#22]

                                                               i.      Even though I am the Lord, see how I serve

                                                             ii.      In my Kingdom the First shall be last and the Last shall be first

                                                            iii.      Seek not human authority, but kingdom service. If you will you will receive true glory in heaven. Give it up and it will be given back to you multiplied. This kingdom you seek is only a pale shadow of the true kingdom! (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11)

                                                           iv.      There is no privilege in the office of apostle (other than being a son)

1.      Matthew 20:20 – you will indeed drink from my royal cup! Just wait until you see the cup I have been given to drink.

                                                             v.      In vv 34-35, Jesus urges them to not be known by earthly holdings and authority but by LOVE

1.      Because I loved you

                                                           vi.      Apostle = Sacrificial Service and authentic Love not power and dominion.

  1. The Application (So What?) [#23] [#24]
    1. We have the same calling

                                                               i.      No privilege in the office

1.      Children of the household but servants of the kingdom

                                                             ii.      It is in our sacrificial service and love that we are to be known

1.      We ought to be the most: loving, kind, humble, courageous, generous people in the world

2.      Full Christian Life defined by action as well as abstinence

                                                            iii.      Non-Christian [#25]

1.      Hear now the true call of the king and the truth of the gospel. Where you have seen hypocrisy; that is exactly what it is!

2.      Enter with caution. The Christian life is the only one worth living, however it will NOT make your life easier. This is not to be lightly dallied with.

  1. Closing Prayer [#26]