Monday, April 6, 2009

The Last Supper, Part 11 of 15

TEXT: "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later on you will understand.' 'No,' said Peter, 'you shall never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part in me.' 'Then Lord,' Simon Peter replied, 'not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.' Jesus answered, 'Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.' For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them" (John 13:3-12 NIV).

IDEA: We serve others because Christ has served us.

PURPOSE: To help listeners focus on Christ dying for us as the motive for serving others.

Jesus invited His disciples to a final Passover meal before His death.

Do you think Jesus knew that He was going to be crucified in a few hours? (John 13:1)

Do you think He thought about the details for that last supper? Do you think He thought about what He wanted His followers to remember about Him?

I. Jesus did two significant acts in the course of that last meal together:

He took some bread and the wine and handed it to His disciples, saying, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).

What were they to remember?

What do the bread and wine point to?

He took a towel and a basin of water and in the role of a low-ranking slave He washed the travel-soiled feet of His followers. This, also, should forever characterize His followers: "You should do as I have done to you . . . You also should wash one another's feet."

II. Do you think that the two acts have any relation to one another?

The broken bread and the wine speak to the center of our faith. The bread and wine are not merely a pretty, moving religious ceremony. They show us the message we proclaim.

They point to the bridge thrown across the chasm that separates men and women from God.

The greatest gift that Christians can give to the world is to tell confused, defeated, lost people that they can be reconciled to God. Every other ministry is secondary to this. The bread and wine speak to the priority of our faith.

The last time His followers saw Jesus before His death was as a slave. At the start of the meal we watch Jesus rise from the table. We hear the tinkle of water in the basin. Then with a towel wrapped around Him, He moves from one to another, carrying out the menial task of foot washing.

Christ, by serving us, humbles us. All Christians would gladly wash His nail-scarred feet, but He sends us to wash one another's feet.

Conclusion:
The two events of the final supper call us to a double obedience. Jesus places in our hands both bread and wine AND a towel and basin.

Philip II of Spain had a window placed in his office where he worked. It allowed him to see into his private chapel next door. As he worked at his desk considering the affairs of state, he would often lift his eyes and see the cross on the altar of the chapel. He worshiped as he worked; he was motivated as he served.

"Do this in remembrance of Me . . . You also should do as I have done to you."