“The Servant” (Holy Thursday)

Scripture: John 13:1-20

Jesus is the ultimate servant, and stands as the perfect example for all who profess a relationship with him. He loved us beyond all reason, he gave to us beyond all expectation, he left everything behind so that he could create a way to glory for all who believed in him, even while they were yet completely unworthy to be with him.

He left his personal glory behind so that he could come to earth in a human way. He left adoration behind so that he could receive the animosity of his creation. He left his heavenly Kingship behind so that he could become a servant to humanity. There is none like him, and there never will.

Read John 13:1

“He loved his own who were in the world”. These weren’t the “perfect” people who would be expected to surround the greatness of God, it would be the very dregs of society – a thief, crude and smelly fishermen, a tax collector, the young and old, several women, one of whom had been under the control of a seven demons (Luke 8:1-3), wealthy and poor alike, and eventually, even a Pharisee or two.
The Lord would show them the full extent of the love of God! This includes the one who would betray him to the authorities, the one who would deny that he ever knew Jesus, and all the rest who would desert him at the very time he needed their love the most! He knew these people completely and intimately – he knew their weaknesses, he knew their sinfulness, he knew their doubts, and yet he would reveal the fullness of heavenly love to each and every one of them!

And tonight, we come together as those who he also knows completely and intimately, and he knows everything about us, too. And he withholds nothing from those who love him, even as incomplete and poor as our love may be.

Read John 13:2-11

The task of washing the feet of the master’s guests always fell to the least of the household servants. But on this night, the Master would invite his servants to sit and be ministered to. He washed them on behalf of Almighty God, as a sign of welcome and cleanliness and worthiness for each and every one of them. By the grace and mercy of the Godliness of Jesus, each of these weak, sinful, inadequate, unworthy people was made right by the servanthood of Jesus.
All would be very uncomfortable with this, but Peter would express his discomfort by initially refusing to let Jesus wash him. But Jesus allays his objection when he tells the disciple that this washing was the only way that Peter could be one with the Lord Jesus. And he relents.
Jesus would have even washed Judas that night, even though he knew what was to about to come.

Tonight, he will wash us, too.

Read John 13:12-17

And Jesus explains why this had to happen. First, he says that he was setting an example before them, that even as he came to be their servant, they, too, must be a servant to all they come in contact with. Oh, it’s true that many wanted to elevate Jesus above all, and that many in the years to come would want to elevate the disciples about themselves, but Jesus wants us to understand that greatness isn’t something thatany of us should strive for – it’s the greatness of a “servant heart” that must be our goal in this life.
And that is the second lesson that he offers that night – Jesus came to be a servant, and he came to be a messenger, and neither position should ever be construed as one that inspires glory.
He says that since they, and we, now understand this, that we are charged to do the same as he has done.

Read John 13:18-20

But there is one among them who will not be blessed, who will not be allowed to be God’s messenger, who will not be chosen to be his servant, even though the Godly plan will be carried out through the one’s deceitfulness.
But those who will be faithful to him, even though all of them are on the verge of turning away from him, will continue the ministry he had begun. All who hear and believe those who go out in his name will be accepted by the Lord, and all who accept Jesus for who he is, are also accepting the Father.

Jesus knew just how fickle and half-hearted these folks were, and he was still committed to hand his name and his message over to them. Why? Because even though he would be leaving, another would come to lead them and inspire them and to work through them. (John 16:4-15)

Are you prepared to be a servant of the Most High God, to be his messenger to the nations, to always have in mind the call to “serve, and not to be served”? The truth is that no one is truly prepared, but we can be willing. Jesus welcomes us, he cleanses us, he makes us worthy to be his in every way, and he sends the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to make it all work.
He serves us, and calls us to do the same for others. He washes us, prepares us, and teaches us the truth of God, and expects that his own will do the same for others. And in that call, we will serve each other on behalf of Christ tonight.

At this point in the service, we held a washing by washing each other's hands, and then receiving Holy Communion.

Matthew 25:31-46 (in particular v. 40) tells us “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” Tonight, by our service to each other, we have been servants for Jesus.

And that’s a pretty good start!