Following Jesus' example - John 13:1-17

Featuring: Ian Bentley

Date: Sunday, 19 May, 2013

Jesus washed the disciples feet to show that no task of loving service should be beneath the follower of Christ.

Then he told them he had given them an example to follow and as we read vs16-17 he clearly expected them to do it. He was the master and did it so surely they as his followers will also and not just those disciples but every disciple down the ages.
This means

1. we are never to important to serve others and
2. nothing is too menial for us to do.

Those are the principles that come out of this passage to us but how does that apply in practice?

Jesus loved his disciples and he showed that love in sacrifice. It was shown in the great sacrifice which only he could offer of his life in place of each and every person. But it was also shown in this act of humble service which we can and should seek to follow.

Jesus’ example means humble service should be part of our Christian way whether it is at home, with our neighbours, at work and at church.
The danger in many of these situations is that we are tempted to say, “it is not my job to....” and I think here Jesus removes that from us.

So at home we should not shun the menial tasks, washing up, cleaning the toilets or whatever. We do it as followers and as service to the rest of the family.
As neighbours we serve those around us being willing to do small and perhaps insignificant tasks of shopping etc.
At work we serve washing up the mugs at the end of the day, clearing up when a child has been sick even if we are a teacher!
At church there are so many ways we can serve. If we came each Sunday with the attitude how can I serve my brothers and sisters how would it change what we do this morning?

In the life of this as any church there are many ways we can serve and often ways that go unnoticed, doing the flowers, visiting people in heir homes, helping in the crèche, tidying up at the end of services. Yes we may not be on the rota but in love we serve.

We are never too important to do these tasks of service nor should anything be too small or menial for us to do.
Out of love Jesus sacrificed his very life for us and he looks to those who follow out of love for others to be willing to follow his path of sacrificial and humble service.
Jesus said to his disciples “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”, v15.
That example of love revealed through humble service is there for all of us to copy as we follow Jesus.

132_db20130519.pdf