Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
Here’s something we can agree on: dirty jobs are not particularly pleasant.
Things like slopping the hogs, scrubbing the toilet, digging a BBQ pit, etc., are not especially fun.
Have you seen “Dirty Jobs”?
Then you have seen pretty much everything: most of it is disgusting.
I will leave that to your imagination.
Another thing we can agree on is this: when dirty jobs involve people we love, we are willing to to do whatever it takes.
For example, we change our kids’ dirty diapers because we love them - they need our care.
We may not enjoy it…but we don’t hesitate to do it.
We love them.
If our little munchkin happens to get sick and toss his or her little cookies all over the place…what do we do?
We clean them up and make sure they are comfortable during their time of suffering.
Bless their hearts!
Some of you may have taken care of a parent or loved one that could no longer care for themselves.
This could involve bathing, feeding, and everything else.
When you love them you do even the dirty jobs
In John chapter 13, Jesus takes on what was considered a “dirty job” — He washed His Disciples’ feet.
Background
In the first 12 chapters of his Gospel, John paints a beautifully compelling picture of Jesus.
His words and actions breathe life into everyone He encounters…at least those that accept Him.
For those that reject Him, His words and actions look more like a hurricane: threatening destruction.
In chapter 11, the time of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest quickly approaches.
Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus became ill and died.
When Jesus Bethany (the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus), Lazarus had been in the tomb 4 days.
Jesus surprised the crowd when he gave instructions to take away the stone covering the entrance to the tomb.
Talk about “dirty jobs”.
Martha said, “by now there will be a terrible odor...”
Jesus prayed and then He said “Lazarus, come out!”
And Lazarus came out…all wrapped up like a mummy.
They freed him from the cloths that bound him — he wasn’t a zombie — he was just as alive as anyone there.
If Jesus wasn’t famous enough already…the resurrection of Lazarus caused His fame to spread more rapidly.
It caused His enemies to want Him dead all the more.
They plotted feverishly to put a stop to His activities.
However, it was too late.
In chapter 12, 6 days before Passover, Jesus came riding toward Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey.
In verses 13-15, the crowds threw palm branches on the road in front of Him, shouting “Hosannah!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
In verse 19, the Pharisees were beside themselves with anger and fear, “See, this is getting us nowhere.
Look how the whole world has gone after Him.”
Let’s join the story chapter 13, verses 1-17.
It was the week of Passover.
Jesus knew what He would face very soon.
In chapters 13-17 He lead the Disciples in some deeply emotional conversations, preparing them for what’s to come.
Prayer
Jesus served others because of love: He instructs us to do the same
Interrogatory: How does Jesus’ washing the Disciples’ feet illustrate His perfect love?
Transitional: Jesus didn’t hesitate: His love motivated Him to act (that’s why He came in the first place…love) — His example shows us that...
Love steps up when no one else will
Incomparable Love
He showed them the “full extent” of His love
Think of the setting of chapter 13 — a Passover meal Jesus shared between Jesus and His Disciples
As the meal begins, something unusual happens — nobody steps up to wash the Disciples’ feet.
In this culture, proper etiquette taught that guests, dusty and dirty from walking along the dusty streets, should, when they arrive, have their feet washed by a servant
This was a very dirty job — in fact, even Jewish servants were not required to perform the task.
It was relegated to Gentile servants.
On this particular night, no servants were present to wash their feet.
So the Disciples sat down and began their meal with unwashed feet.
Why didn’t one of the Disciples step up?
That was a slave’s task…it was below them.
Undignified.
Dirty!
When Jesus got up and washed their feet…this was a gesture of the “full extent” of His love (1).
The men must have been shocked to see Jesus take on such a low task.
He was their Master.
Yet, He stepped up — somebody had to do it.
He taught them yet another lesson with His actions.
The foot-washing that night was more than an example of humble servant-hood.
It pointed to Jesus’ full sacrifice that would soon take place.
The foot-washing that night was more than just an example of humble servant-hood.
It pointed to Jesus full sacrifice that would soon take place.
Hope-filled love
Hope-filled love
Hope-filled love
Can anyone come up with a sufficient explanation for why Jesus washed their feet?
More importantly, why He went to the Cross?
The only explanation is His love for us....the full extent.
Jesus’ incomparable love is the reason we can have hope in this life and the next.
Love available to all
When Jesus wrapped that towel around His waist and began washing their feet, He didn’t skip anyone.
He washed Judas’ feet, even though He knew Judas would betray Him.
Even though Jesus washed his feet, Judas’ heart was elsewhere.
Jesus offers His grace and mercy to all people — some reject Him outright, others accept Him with their whole hearts — yet others go through the motions of accepting Him but...
Not everyone that calls Jesus Lord is truly His own
Some receive the outward washing of Christ but still have unwashed hearts…like Judas
Baptism and Communion are outward signs of an inward commitment to Jesus — they are both powerful elements of grace, but they cannot, in themselves save anyone.
Application
Your safety is found only in keeping close to Jesus and daily allowing His Word to expose and correct your heart and life.
Transitional: Jesus took on the role of a servant…all the way to the Cross.
His love not only purchased our life (salvation), but it is our example of how to love others
Love is the best teacher
…Jesus’ love is an “all-in” kind of love — He held nothing back — He gave His life as a full expression of His love.
…In Jesus’ washing of the Disciples’ feet, we learn that there is...
No room for pride - in receiving
Peter’s pride caused him to try and refuse Jesus washing his feet
Peter’s pride then sent him to the other extreme
Peter struggled to simply allow Jesus to serve Him in this lowly way.
…In Jesus’ washing of the Disciples’ feet, we learn that there is...
…As Jesus washed the Disciples’ feet, we learn that there is...
No room for pride - in serving
Jesus willingly took the towel, knelt down, and washed their dirty feet…a dirty job — meant for lowly servants.
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