At the Table - Week 4

This is What Jesus Looks Like

Pastor Daryl Black

John 13:1-17 English Standard Version

1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

We never look more like Jesus than when we serve.

You’re never too big to serve. 

John 13:14–15 English Standard Version

14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 

Serving isn't fair.

John 13:11 English Standard Version

For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

We don't serve because of who they are, we serve because of who Christ is. 

Serving reveals your heart more than your words ever could. 

Let people serve you.

Humility is not just serving others, but allowing others to serve you. 

When you refuse help, you rob someone of the blessing of serving.

The blessing is in the serving.

John 13:17 English Standard Version

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

We never look more like Jesus than when we serve.

Now What?

John 13:14–15 English Standard Version

14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 

Question to Ask:

How does serving others shape your heart to look more like Jesus’? Where have you noticed opportunities to serve but haven’t stepped into them yet? What barriers—fears, excuses, distractions—keep you from serving in those ways?

Application:

Where can you step in and make a difference—both in the church and in your community? Choose one place to serve at church this week and give it a try. Then consider who God has placed on your heart outside the church and take a practical step toward serving them.