Paragon of Servanthood Jesus, Paragon of Servanthood

The Basin and The Towel

In an upstairs room, a parable is just about to come alive. And while they bicker about who's best, with a painful glance, He'll silently rise.

through the will of the water and the tenderness of the towel. Their Savior Servant must show them how through the will of the water and the tenderness of the towel.

And the call is to community, The impoverished power that sets the soul free.

In humility, to take the vow, that day after day we must take up the basin and the towel.

the parable can live again In any ordinary place, on any ordinary day, the parable can live again when one will kneel and one will yield.

Our Saviour Servant must show us how through the will of the water and the tenderness of the towel.

And the space between ourselves sometimes is more than the distance between the stars.

By the fragile bridge of the Servant's bow we take up the basin and the towel.

Jesus – Paragon of Servanthood Epitome Quintessence Ideal Shining example

Jesus – Paragon of Servanthood ? Raison d’etre Purpose and intentionality living to serve

Understanding Jesus as servant Understanding John 13 The Matthew 20 episode Applying our understanding

Understanding Jesus as servant

4 Surely He has borne our griefs Isaiah 53 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

He was bruised for our iniquities; 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace And by His stripes we are healed. was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

We have turned, every one, to his own way; 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, Philippians 2 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God… 

7 …but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty 2 Corinthians 8  9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Oh, what a Servant Saviour! 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Understanding Jesus as servant Understanding John 13

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, John 13 (NKJV) 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,  you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is He who is sent greater than He who sent Him.  17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Understanding Jesus as servant Understanding John 13 The Matthew 20 episode

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, Matthew 20 20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her,  “What do you wish?”

“Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine  may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

“You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism 23 So He said to them,  “You will indeed drink My cup,  and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;

…but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

26…whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 

did not come to be served, but to serve, 28 … just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Understanding Jesus as servant Understanding John 13 The Matthew 20 episode Applying our understanding

What Next? Foot washing is neither an ordinance nor a ritual It is a living parable of servanthood As such, it demonstrates a commitment to serve and to love

What Next? 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, Colossians 3 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance;  for you serve the Lord Christ.

What Next? Serve others and we serve Christ

What Next? 14 How then shall they call on Him Romans 10 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

What Next? And how shall they hear  without a preacher?

What Next? Serve others and we serve Christ Serve others by sharing the Gospel through our lives

What Next? J.V. McGee 1904-1988

What Next? Heaven is for the asking… your position, your reward in heaven is determined by what you do down here.

What Next? Salvation is a free gift… We need to be on the race course in order to receive a reward.

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, And love that soul through me; And may I humbly do my part To win that soul for Thee.

Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,

…equip you with everything good to whom be glory forever and ever. that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paragon of Servanthood Jesus, Paragon of Servanthood