The last supper was the last chance Jesus had to teach something. He knew even then that there was something going on in Judas' heart. Jesus interrupts supper and gets up. He has a robe on that sets Him apart as a teacher. He then does something counter-culture. He takes off His robe. This was like taking off His title and His entitlement. He then kneels down as far as He could get and starts to wash the feet of the disciples. He put on the disposition of humility.

The disciples were confused. They questioned Him. Looking back on this story, in our eyes, the world’s eyes, Judas should have been washing feet. He was the one lacking. We view those who are lacking to be the ones who need to serve. Even Peter should have been washing feet.

When we are so focused on the serving we stop serving each other. We busy ourselves with tasks and stop looking at the people. Scripture says, “Let the greatest among you be a servant.” Matthew 23:11 Let us place our focus not on how we are serving but who we are serving.

When we take our robes off, our titles and entitlement, it will expose who we really are. Let’s talk to the you behind the mask. Let’s speak to our hearts. That’s what God aims to do.
1 Samuel 16:7 “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Story - Pastor Ralph was having coffee with his wife at the coffee table. This time is a time of intimacy where they get to talk and share with each other. His wife called him out. She said he was different. She pointed out how he had been in his flesh more frequently. He had been more sarcastic and taking things personally. He tried to defend himself at first, but then took a step back to examine his actions. He had lost focus on who he was serving. He was serving himself and not others as we are called to do.

God’s looking for servants not celebrities. Our lives belong to Him. We serve Jesus because He first served us. When we live in constant recognition of who we belong to we live differently.

The story of Paul comes to mind. Paul shows up when the first Christian, Stephen, is being stoned to death. Those throwing stones had taken off their robes to throw stones. This instance is an example of how we can take our robe or jacket off and do the wrong thing because our heart is not right. Until we allow God to deal with our heart we will do a lot of wrong.

Our lives are sacrifices. They don’t belong to us.

Paul’s life becomes a testament of living out how his life was not his own.

Philippians 1:13-14 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains,most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Paul is in prison. The guy that used to imprison is now in prison. Paul is humbled in prison. He shows how we can have joy in turmoil

J- Jesus O- Others Y- Yourself - This is the order for which we have joy in our lives.

Life is going to squeeze all of us. The goal is that the gospel comes out when we are squeezed. Our stories and journeys are that the gospel goes forward.

Philippians 2:1-2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

We will answer yes!

We serve in unity because Jesus unifies us. The things we disagree about is what discourages people to be Christians. Some of us have to give up our right to be right for the sake of righteousness.

Philippians 4:2-3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Our foundation for our reconciliation is because we belong to the Lord. The actions we take everyday will preach and speak more sermons than our words ever will.

Philippians 2:3-8 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

He got up and took the humble position. Are we willing to die? Are we willing to take the humble position?