John 13:1-17
(Introduction from article in Psychology Today by Robert Wilson)
King George III asked Benjamin West, his American painter, what George Washington would do if he prevailed in the Revolutionary War. West replied, “He will return to his farm.” The British monarch incredulously said, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” On December 23, 1783 Washington did just that and retired to Mount Vernon – despite the encouragement of many to stay in power and despite the willingness of Americans to crown him king. Thirteen years later, he would do it once again.
In 1787, Washington was coaxed back to Philadelphia to attend the Constitutional Convention. While there he provided the leadership necessary to get the fractious delegates to settle down and complete the work of designing a new constitution. Afterwards, in 1789, he was elected the first President of the United States. He reluctantly ran for a second term in 1792. He refused to run for a third term, setting a precedent that lasted 150 years, and retired once again to his farm.
Abraham Lincoln said, “If you want to test a man’s character – give him power.” George Washington passed that test. Twice in his life he walked away from power. He demonstrated that leadership is something that you give – not take – and that power should be used responsibly.
Washington died in 1799, the year that Napoleon Bonaparte became the ruler of France. In contrast to Washington, Napoleon could not acquire enough power. His legendary lust for command drove him to take over much of Europe. “Power is my mistress,” he once claimed, “I have worked too hard at her conquest to allow anyone to take her away from me.”
Years later, having lost all power and living in exile, he lamented “They wanted me to be another Washington.”
South Africa needed another Washington and when Nelson Mandela was elected president, South Africa got what it needed. Like Washington, Mandela truly served the people of his country, not himself.
Unfortunately, political leaders like Washington and Mandela seem to be the exception rather than the rule. We live in a world dominated by Napoleons. We elect men and women to political offices so they can serve our interests but is that the way it works? Whose interests do politicians serve? Does the personal wealth of a politician increase or decrease over their years in office? More than 60% of US Senators are millionaires. The average cost of running for a senate seat in the US is more than $8,000,000. Being a US politician is big business and politicians seem more preoccupied with protecting their investment than serving their constituency.
I talked once with a man who worked in the US embassy and was responsible for taking care of the politicians who came to Europe for meetings and then stopped off in Marrakech on their way home to shop and relax. I asked him how the weekend had gone and he told me, “No matter how much you do for them it is never enough.” There is a reason the approval rating of US politicians is currently a meager 13%. This puts politicians below lawyers and below used car salesmen in the annual Gallup poll that rates the honesty and ethical standards of members of various professions.
The abuse of power by politicians is not limited to the US. As an American citizen I am critical of the political leadership in the US. I will allow you to think of the leadership of your own country and the corruption of power you observe.
It is popular to be negative about politicians, but they are only men and women like us. If we had access to that kind of power, how different would we be? We like to think we would be more moral, and hopefully we would. But before we are too critical, we should look at how we handle power in other ways.
In some cultures more than others, when a man gets married, he is given certain rights. How does a man treat his wife? Does he expect his wife to serve him? Does he use his wife to make his life easier?
When a man or woman is given a promotion at work, and now has a secretary or assistant, how is the secretary or assistant treated? Is the secretary respected and treated as a person, or used to get coffee, do errands, and make the boss feel important?
What about pastors and other church leaders? Do pastors serve the members of their churches? Or do pastors stand behind exalted titles, demanding the perks of their position? Do they serve the members of the church or do they exert power and control over the church?
In my favorite of Henri Nouwen’s books, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, he observes, “What makes the temptation of power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people.”
The problem of the abuse of power is not limited to politicians; it is a problem across the board of relationships. There are honest politicians, good husbands, and loving and caring pastors, but it is so discouraging to see how many men and women in positions of leadership serve themselves before anyone else.
This morning we will look at the Biblical view of leadership: Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. Jesus, as the leader, served his disciples. Let me describe what happened. We have talked the past two Sundays about two women who washed the feet of Jesus and anointed them with perfume. So you are familiar with the need to wash feet. People walked dusty roads wearing sandals so their feet became dirty. When we eat, we sit at a table with our feet under the table. But in Palestinian culture, men sat on cushions, leaning on their left elbow while they ate with their right hand. Their feet were not dangling on the floor but extended diagonally away from the table.
So a good host made sure the feet of his guests were washed before they ate. This was a normal part of hospitality. The servant of the host would wash the feet of the guests, or if the host was poor, he would wash the feet himself. So when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, he did something that was normal. Foot washing was a part of daily life. What was shocking is that he reversed the roles. A host or his servants washed the feet of his guests. Slaves washed the feet of their masters. Wives washed the feet of their husbands. Disciples washed the feet of their teachers. But now, to make a point, Jesus reversed the role and took on the task of a servant, washing the feet of his own disciples.
As I read through the gospels, it seems the disciples became more and more confused as time went on. More and more Jesus is alone. The disciples walk in a group behind Jesus, afraid to walk with him and ask questions about what he had said or done. The few weeks before this foot washing incident had been especially strange. Jesus had been talking about the Son of Man who had to die and then be raised to life on the third day. They were still trying to figure out if that was a metaphor or what Jesus meant by this. He had talked about Mary’s act of anointing his feet with perfume as an act of burial. They had celebrated with him when he entered Jerusalem as a triumphant king and were trying to figure out his next move.
Now at this meal, he shocked them by doing what a servant should do, or at least what they should do for him.
Peter, always the bold one, objected.
“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
This is what separated Peter from Judas. No matter what happened, no matter how badly Peter failed, he wanted to be with Jesus. This alone is a great message and I preach it all the time. Never give up. Never let go of Jesus. Hold on. Keep pursuing him. This is the single best advice I can give anyone. As you move from church community to church community, you will be exposed to different interpretations of Scripture. You will experience the good and the bad. But regardless of all you hear and experience, regardless of your obedience or disobedience, no matter how deeply you are hurt, never let go of Jesus.
That is so important but it is not the focus of this sermon. For this morning, I have three questions. Why did Jesus wash the feet of his disciples? What enabled Jesus to humble himself and wash the feet of his disciples? How does Jesus intend that we do what he demonstrated?
First, Why did Jesus wash the feet of his disciples?
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Why did Jesus find it necessary to teach this lesson to his disciples? There were many followers of Jesus. 72 of these disciples were selected and sent out by Jesus on a missions trip. The core of these 72 were the 12 Jesus had chosen as his closest disciples. And among these, James, John, and Peter were Jesus’ inner circle. After the triumphant parade into Jerusalem and the powerful action of Jesus in throwing over the tables of the money lenders in the temple, the disciples could see the power of Jesus ready to be displayed as he rallied Jews to overthrow the Roman occupiers. When this happened, they wanted to know what position they would hold. They had begun to picture Jesus on the throne and wondered where they would be in that picture.
It is like the staff of a US presidential candidate. As it becomes more likely their candidate will win the election, they begin to ask what position in the White House they will hold for the next four years.
The disciples were jockeying for position. James and John were in the innermost circle so they thought they had the most right to get positions of power. They came to Jesus: (Mark 10:35–37)
“Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
When the other disciples heard about this, they were indignant. (Mark 10:41–45)
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In this last week of his earthly life, with the future leadership of his church at stake, Jesus needed to demonstrate this teaching in a dramatic way. Leadership that serves others advances the Kingdom of God. Leadership that promotes the interests of the leader works against the Kingdom of God. It is that simple. Jesus does not need or want leaders who promote themselves and draw glory to themselves. Jesus wants leaders who lead by serving, following his own example.
Second question: What enabled Jesus to lead in this way?
The critical verse in this text is verse 3:
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
Jesus knew who he was and where he was going and this gave him the security to act without worrying about what other people thought of him, without worrying about what would happen to him. Jesus had heard from the Father at his baptism: (Matthew 3:17)
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Jesus had been worshiped and encouraged by Moses and Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus knew who he was. He also knew what he was about to do. He knew the pain he would experience. But he also knew he would triumph.
Jesus was not concerned with what palace he would occupy or how much of the world’s wealth he would control. He was not worried about any of the things that occupy so much of our emotional energy. He was leaving this world behind and going to where the treasures of this world are insignificant.
Jesus knew who he was and where he was going. This is what gave Jesus the security to shatter cultural expectations and lead his disciples into leadership pleasing to God.
Third question: How does Jesus intend that we do what he demonstrated?
Jesus said:
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
In obedience to this command, foot washing quickly became a ritual in the early centuries of the church. Foot washing was often done prior to baptism. It was done to visiting clergy as a sign of welcome. But it has most often been associated with Maundy Thursday during the week before Easter. From the 12th century on, popes have washed the feet of someone as part of the mass on Maundy Thursday.
Is this ritual the application of Jesus’ teaching? Clearly, this is not the case. Jesus is talking about something much more significant than a ritual. He is talking about a style of leadership.
Personally, I have been part of foot washing ceremonies twice in my life and I disliked each occasion. It was embarrassing. It was unnatural. I don’t ever want to do it again. One of the reasons I don’t like this is because it is so disconnected from the reality of my life. Nobody I know washes the feet of others except when this ritual is performed. On the other hand, I love it when we wash each other’s hands for the Seder Meal which we will celebrate in just a few weeks. Washing hands before we eat is a daily activity and to wash the hands of another person and to have my hands washed is a positive experience.
There may be some of you here who love the ritual of foot washing. I only say that it makes me uncomfortable. But serving other people does not make me feel uncomfortable. I washed my father’s body the week before he died. I came to see him on a trip back to the US and discovered he was unable to stand and take a shower. So I washed him. He was a bit embarrassed but I told him people had washed my body when I was in a body cast for my back operation so now it was his turn. I shaved him. I put hot towels on his face to soften his beard and he told me, “That feels good Jackson.” I hold on to that experience as one of the best of my life. I am so glad I was able to do this for him before he died.
A few weeks ago I was driving with Clement and Zak when we saw a Honda pickup at the Chellah circle being pushed by a little girl and her father. Clement and Zak got out to help push and then I went off to get gas because his tank was empty. I loved being able to help.
Thursday evening Clement, Elliot and I distributed the last of the blankets we bought with donated money. Helping people in need is a gift to ourselves because we discover, when we extend ourselves to help, that we are sharing with Jesus his work in the world.
Serving people has a reward that comes with it. So why is it so often that our leaders do not serve?
I talked about what enabled Jesus to serve. He knew who he was and where he was going.
I can understand politicians and other leaders taking all they can get because they do not believe there is a god and do not believe there is more than this life. But what about leaders who profess faith in Jesus and yet still abuse their office to gain as much as they can for themselves. Especially, let me talk about church leaders who abuse their leadership to amass huge wealth, jets, expensive cars, and expensive mansions. What are they thinking?
If anyone should follow the example of Jesus, it would seem to me to be pastors who should be first in obedience. Annie and I were at a farewell dinner for a couple from Central Africa Republic who were leaving for studies in the US. As we were leaving, I noticed the shoe of the woman was untied and I knelt down to tie it for her. She and her husband later expressed such astonishment that a pastor would do this. Another couple talk about their experience at the Marriage Course we hold at our home. While the couples are discussing the content of the DVD, I bring a tray with coffee, tea, and desert. This couple expressed amazement that their pastor would serve them like this. In their culture, this would not happen.
And I am amazed that pastors in any culture do not serve the people of their congregations. It is disturbing to me to see pastors take their office in the church and use it to bring themselves prestige. Washing feet once a year does not make a church leader a servant leader. It is how the church leader serves every day of the year that makes him or her a servant leader.
Many pastors are insecure and hide behind exalted titles. They demand the respect of others and expect to be served. They work hard to preserve their dignity and protect their image. Why do they do this? I suggest it is because they have forgotten who they are and where they are headed. The part of culture that elevates the pastor to such an exalted position must be challenged. It is good to honor your pastor. It is good to respect your pastor. But a pastor is instructed by the head of the church, by Jesus, to follow his example and be a servant to the congregation he leads.
The Bible teaches that husbands are leaders in the family. How is it possible for a husband who is a follower of Christ to treat his wife as a servant, given to him to make his life easier? What is it Paul said husbands are to do? He said husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church. This means the husband should serve his wife, work to develop her talents and skills, sacrifice for her. Christ died for the church. That is our example as husbands.
I have been a far from perfect husband. I have not loved my wife as Christ loves the church, but that is still my goal. Some husbands will say they will not help with housework, or with childcare because in their culture that is woman’s work. I came across this quote from Martin Luther:
Now you tell me, when a father goes ahead and washes diapers or performs some other mean task for his child, and someone ridicules him as an effeminate fool, though that father is acting in the spirit just described and in Christian faith, my dear fellow you tell me, which of the two is most keenly ridiculing the other? God, with all his angels and creatures, is smiling, not because that father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith.
We are followers of Jesus, not followers of culture. And when our culture is in conflict with the teaching of Jesus, there is a very clear choice to be made. Husbands, don’t tell me you are the head of your wife. Tell me how you are sacrificing yourself for your wife’s benefit.
I don’t need to tell wives to serve since they are the ones who give birth, and nourish babies. Their situation naturally leads them into service. Most often it is men who need the reminder.
Servant leadership is really quite simple. It all comes down to knowing who you are and where you are heading. When we discover we are loved by God and that Jesus came to rescue us, we head out in pilgrimage to our heavenly destination. We hold the treasures of this world loosely in our hands because we know they will not last. And, we follow the example of Jesus. (Philippians 2:1–12)
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Many of you are currently in positions of leadership at work and in your home. Many more of you will one day be in positions of leadership. Never forget that the people who are under your authority are men and women God loves. Jesus died for them as well as for you. One day you will stand with them before the throne of Jesus and be judged. Lead well. Treat people with respect. Sometimes hard decisions need to be made and people will not always agree with your decisions, but you can always treat those who disagree with you respectfully.
We are followers of Jesus. So sacrifice your cultural expectations and pride on the altar. Love people as Jesus loved. Lead people as he led. Serve people as he served.
