Know Ye What I Have Done to You?
John 13:1-17 (text v. 12) [A question of humble service]
I’ve preached from this passage of Scripture several times. I referred to it in last Sunday’s message. This morning I want to consider a question Jesus asked in verse 12—“Know ye what I have done to you?”
Our text took place in the “upper room” on the eve of Christ’s crucifix- ion (v. 1). Jesus and His disciples just finished eating the passover supper. But, where humility should have abounded, the disciples began to squabble again about who was going to be greatest (Luke 22:24-26).
Jesus previously told them that he who would greatest will be the servant of all (Mt. 23:11). Evidently they still didn’t get it! Therefore Jesus gives them—and us—an object lesson on humility by washing their feet (vs. 4-5). Try to visualize this happening.
When Jesus finished, He asks—“Know ye what I have done to you?” Obviously, He wanted to make sure they got the message. So, He an- swers His own question in verse 15—“I have given you an example…”
Notice three things about the example Jesus gives…
I have given you an example…”
I. Of a LOVE that is stedfast (v. 1–“… he loved them unto the end”).
Biblical love is NOT FICKLE. Love is longsuffering.
Christ’s disciples were a motley crew of ragtag renegades. But, despite their mistakes…denials…betrayal… doubts…abandonment… He LOVED THEM and kept on loving them. Jesus never stops loving us.
Jesus loved them knowing…
•Who would betray Him (v. 11).
•Who would deny Him.
•And that all would forsake Him (Mt. 26:56).
You want to know who your real friends are who love you? Make a big mistake and see how they treat you.
A. Ignorance can be a blessing in disguise. I would rather not know what people think about me. I don’t want how they feel about me to affect how I feel about them. [ILLUS: “Pastor, do you know what so-and-so said about you?”]
We like to choose not only the place we want to serve, but also the people we want to serve!
But not Jesus. He knew full well that His friends were about to turn their backs on Him. Yet, He loved them anyway! Would you still love someone if you knew they were about to stab you in the back? Would you serve them and wash their feet?
B. This is an example Christ gave us to follow. Love your enemies. Aren’t you glad Jesus loved you in spite how sinful you were? Aren’t you glad Jesus loved you when you were His enemy (Rom. 5:8-10—“But God commented his love toward us, in that while were were yet sinners Christ died for us… For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…”)
I have given you an example…”
II. Of a LEADER who serves. (vs. 13-16).
A. He executed the ACTIONS of a Servant.
- Foot-washing was not a big deal in Bible days. It was a common act of courtesy. What made this a big deal was WHO WAS DOING THE FOOT-WASHING! Normally, the task of foot-washing was the job of the lowliest servant. Jesus said, “I am among you as he that serveth.” (Luke 22:27).
- vs. 13-16—The servant is not greater than his master. Therefore, if the master becomes a servant, where does that put the servant? On the same level as the master! By becoming a servant, Jesus did not push us down—He lifted us up! That is great leadership.
- No one has earned the right to lead until he has learned the way to serve.
PARTIAL SERMON: FULL PDF HERE
