Serve one another
“For you, Brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another” Gal 5:13
"One of the principal rules of religion is, to lose no occasion of serving God. And, since he is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve him in our neighbor; which he receives as if done to himself in person, standing visibly before us." John Wesley
Introduction: There is silence in the room as Jesus disrobes and girds himself with a towel. What is the Master about to do? All eyes are on him as he stoops down and takes the first disciple by the foot. He begins to wash the dirt, grime and pollution of the busy Jerusalem streets from his feet, and dries them with the towel around his waist. This was the duty of the ‘doulos’ or the house slave; one of the lowest services that this level of slave performed. Why is the master doing this? Isn’t there a house slave available? Jesus quietly but intentionally works his way around the group till he comes to Peter. This disciple is the first to break the silence in the room; “Lord are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus said “What I am doing you will not understand now, but afterwards you will know” (Story in John 13.1-11)
…We will leave the narrative here and return to it later.
Q. What are your impressions after hearing this story?
Q. Place yourself as one of the disciples; what are you feeling as Jesus takes up your feet?
I like the way that Paul brings up the issue of Christian freedom in relation to service. The truth is that we as individuals stand in the ‘liberty’ of God. One of the main focuses of the letter to the Galatians was the issue of liberty in Christ vs the bondage of the law. Freedom is a great gift. Will we use this great liberty we have been given on ourselves or will we be impelled by love to use it for others? It is actually in our own hands; like a fist full of money – how will we spend it?
Q. What does Christian liberty look like? Practically describe it.
Q. How might this be misused as Paul alludes too? Describe that.
…Back to the Narrative in John 13
In Jewish culture the provision of foot washing for guests was a cultural norm. To not provide a servant for this task, if you had a gathering - was a great oversight. For whatever reason no servant was available for this task, yet they all knew that it needed to be done! Jesus taught them a valuable lesson in humility and pro-active service. While they were preparing for the meal like normal, Jesus does what no one else in the room was prepared to do. NOTE: awareness of a need is not always the only barrier to meeting it! (Discuss this in the group)
Peter now begins to refuse this act of service from the Lord and vows (with a double imperative ‘never, ever’) that it will not take place. Q. Why do people find it so hard to accept service?
I love Jesus’ response: “If you don’t let me do this then you have no part with me” [part Grk meros can carry several shades of meaning; an allotment, destiny, a share or portion, Fellowship (in the sense of a shared endeavor) or an inheritance.] However Peter understood this statement from Christ, he then responds in the opposite direction and now wants a more complete wash! (there is another deeper spiritual lesson here; about spiritual cleansing – but I am choosing to focus on the issue of loving service and the practical example that Jesus was giving them)
Perhaps the giving and receiving of loving service is somehow an integral part of fellowship and connection with Christ? It is at the center of divine life – and is at the very heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In John 13.12-15 Jesus explains the purpose of the foot wash episode.
Q. Review the passage and comment on Jesus words.
Q. Discuss some practical ways we can serve one another.
Ok, so where is that bowl and towel? Phew! Those feet of yours stink – let me help you with that.
Hope you had a great and stimulating discussion this week, and are compelled to serve!
Regards,
Ps Rhett
Next session: Admonish one another
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