THE PARABLE TO THE EYE
JOHN 13:12-17
Introduction:
Jesus did something here that the disciples did not understand at the first. “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7.
Jesus showed them the humble heart of a servant. He lowered Himself to wash their feet. Peter did not understand the purpose of the washing and thought he needed to be washed completely. However, the Lord was demonstrating a principle and not establishing an ordinance.
I. JESUS HUMBLY CONDESCENDED
A. Jesus is on a higher level than we are.
1. Master, Teacher, John 3:2, “The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”
2. Lord of lords, Revelation 17:14, “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”
B. Yet He had done a humble service for His disciples.
1. An inner humility was manifested as that of a widowed believer, 1 Timothy 5:10, “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”
2. The foot washing was a pattern, v. 15; Hebrews 8:5, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”
3. He was meeting the needs of others in a self-sacrificially way, Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
C. No servant is greater than his master, John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
1. Not to follow the example of Jesus is to exalt oneself above Him, Proverbs 29:23, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
2. The example of Jesus was to minister to others, Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
a. To serve the Lord you must become a servant of all, Mark 9:35, “And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
b. God gives more grace to the humble, James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
c. Before honor is humility, Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”
3. The Lord always sought to help others, 1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.”
4. God takes note of those who minister to the saints, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
II. WE SHOULD FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE
A. Because of His love for us, 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.”
B. Because of our love for Him, 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.”
1. Our love is based on forgiveness of our sin, Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
2. His love is based on His nature, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
C. Therefore, humble yourselves, James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
CONCLUSION:
Foot washing is not an ordinance, but we should be willing to do that in order to serve God with honor. Until we are willing to humble ourselves before the Lord we will never to a good servant.