BRETHEREN IN THE LORD: THE LESSON OF SERVANTHOOD CANNOT
SERVANTHOOD
FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR MASTER
John 13
When we approached the idea of Servanthood majority of people
reject it.
John 13- Jesus set the standard by which every one of His servants or
Disciples is to live their lives, in this action of Jesus we can see Him
showing His followers that we are all expected to serve another.
SERVANTHOOD IS THE CHARACTER THAT GOD WANTS ALL BELIEVERS
TO DEVELOP AND JESUS ACTED THIS TO TEACHES US MUCH AND IS
SO CRITICAL TO THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN THAT THE COMMAND ALL
THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM TO DO SAME.
NOW! The last night of Jesus ministry was very eventful.
1. He prayed his great High priest prayer.
2. Taught His Disciples many valuable truths.
3. Observed the Passover meal with His disciples and was
betrayed.
Before He begins the events of the evening before the come to the
table to eat their last meal together- JESUS TAKES SOMETIME TO
TEACH THESE MEN A LESSON IN SERVANTHOOD. IT REVEALS HIS
HEART AND HIS MISSION.
He proved in His life about this verse: MARK 10:45 HE DID NOT COME
TO BE SERVE, BUT TO SERVE.
Dusty and dirty conditions of the region necessity the need for foot
washing, in the society in those time foot washing was reserved for
the lowliest menial servants.
The action of Jesus taught the LESSON OF SELFLESS SERVICE AND
SERVANTHOOD.
BE LEARNED THROUGH HEAD KNOWLEDGE BUT IT CAN BE BY
ACTION.
There are truth that we need to understand and apply in our lives as
God desires to all His follower will do the same.
I. SERVANTHOOD DISPLAYS THE ATTITUDE OF SERVING
WITH HUMILITY.
a. Correction
Now in Luke 22:24-the disciples arguing who would be the first in
the kingdom of heaven.
They were all concerned over those who would be the greatest in
heaven, BUT JESUS REMINDED THEM THAT TRUE GREATNESS IS A
GREAT PARADOX.
PARADOX- 2 opposite things and that seems impossible but is
actually true or possible.
Worldview of greatness- aiming the highest degree and position
and looking for outward appearance.
Heavenly view of greatness is true servanthood.
Jesus says: men never earn the respect of others by forced
obedience, but they can earn the respect of others by first being a
SERVANT.
JESUS SAYS THE PATH TO GREATNESS IS THROUGH HUMILITY, THE
WAY TO GREATNESS IS BY BECOMING A SERVANT TO OTHERS.
God cares more about our attitudes than our achievements.
SAD REALITY: there are not many genuine servant ministers around
these days, everyone it seems is looking to get all they can get.
However this attitude is diametrically opposed to that of our Lord.
That the Lord is willing to make Himself the servant of all, and a result
God has exalted Him and given Him name that is above every name.
Phil,2
b. Exhortation-
It was an in direct contrast to that of the disciples who had recently
been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the
greatest.
For the disciples, washing of their feet was indirect contrast to their
heart attitudes at the time.
But Jesus show them the right attitude of serving others with
humility.
v.15- Example to follow: its disciple would be follow the footstep of
His master in servanthood.
Washing the feet- it is the work of a servant in the house. It is a
lowliest form of work.
Walking in sandals in the filthy roads of Israel in the first century
made it imperative that feet be washed before a communal meal,
especially since the people reclined at a low table and feet were very
much in evidence.
II. SERVANTHOOD DIRECTS THE ATTITUDE OF SUBMISSION.
vv. 13-14: 2 title of Jesus
Master and Lord
Master – didaskalos
Lord- Kurios- owner, one who has a control of the person, the
master and have a surpreme Authority.
v. 8 – account of Peter
when Peter respond triple negative: HE TELLS THE LORD, IN
EFFECT: YOU WILL NEVER, NO, NEVER WASH MY FEET. – This is
the equivalent of irreverence.
Peter was simply refusing to submit to the Lord and he does so
through a display of false humility.
However Jesus reminded him of great truth, “UNLESS A MAN IS
WILLING TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD, HE
CAN HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD.”
v.9- if washing my feet will bring me closer to You, then don’t
stop there, but wash all of me.
Apostle Paul and timothy, a servant of Christ.(careful to understand
that to be a servant of God is to be COMPLETELY SOLD OUT TO THE
MASTER.
Truth to ponder:
a. Submission bring closer to our Master
Submission is essential to have intimate relationship with the
master and Lord.
b. Submission avoids sinful misconduct of one relation.
IT MEANS: NO RESERVATION, NO HOLDING BACK, COMPLETE
OWNERSHIP.
III. SERVANTHOOD DEVELOPS A JOYFUL ATTITUDE.
v. 17 IF YE KNOW THESE THINGS, HAPPY ARE YE IF DO THEM.
a. Servanthood who brings true joy and freedom is a
Servanthood found in Jesus.
b. Servanthood who brings joy Focuses on others.
“TIED TO THE VALUE OF THE PERSON IS THE PRINCIPLE OF
SERVANTHOOD, WE VALUE WHAT WE FREELY SERVE.”-
Douglas Groothuis.
SELF-DENIAL IS THE FOUNDATION OF SERVANTHOOD.
 1. love for others vv.1-2
The bible says that He loved them “unto the end” that is Jesus loved
them perfectly, unconditionally and eternally. His love never
wavered, even in the hour of His own crisis.
2. Live a life for others
He live a sinless life and become sin for fallen man, He accomplished
everything but the cross and He knows that after the cross.- HE
ACCOMPLISHED HIS PURPOSE ON BEHALF OF EVERY MAN.
3. Labor for others.
The master doing the work of slave, He wash the feet of the disciples.
There were no servant available to do this job for Jesus and His
disciples, so Jesus Himself gets up from the table remove His outer
garments pours Himself a basin water and begins to wash the feet.

CONCLUSION:
BE A SERVANT OF ALL AS WE FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE
MASTER.
THINK THE MINISTRY AS AN OPPORTUNITY NOT AN OBLIGATION.
“THE MORE WE FOLLOW THE FOOTSTEP OF OUR MASTER THE MORE
WE BECOME A SERVANT OF ALL.
HOW IS YOUR SERVING?