## The Reason for Service

## John 13:1-3

The disciples had been arguing over who would hold the leading positions in the government Jesus was about to set up (cp. Lk.22:24; Mk.10:35-45, esp. v.41). The discussion was heated. They were caught up in the ambition for position and power and authority.

How the heart of Jesus must have been cut! He had so little time left for them to learn that the way to glory is through service and not through position and authority. How could He get the message across forcibly enough so that they would never forget the truth?

It was this that led Jesus to wash the disciples feet and to demonstrate what true greatness is: serving others. Three things drove Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet and to demonstrate the basis of service and ministry.

I. He knew His hour had come.

"And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (Jn 12:23-24)

A. He was to die and His time was short.

1. Whatever He hoped to teach His disciples had to be taught now.

2. For there would soon be no more time.

B. He loved His own - His followers upon earth - those for whom He was responsible.

1. His own includes both the heavenly host and all believers who have gone on to heaven.

2. He is Lord, the Son of the Living God to whom all has been given; therefore, His own includes all those in both heaven and earth who are followers of Him.

3. And He loves them all.

4. However, the present point is this: He loves "His own...in the world."

5. Therefore, He was compelled to zero in on them and to do whatever was necessary to help them, no matter the cost.

6. He was compelled by love to wash their feet, no matter the humiliation and the degree of abasement required.

C. He knew His enemy, and He knew the enemy was about to strike and betray Him.

1. He had to act before the enemy struck.

2. The disciples had to be strengthened and fortified, shown and taught immediately.

3. Once the enemy struck, it would be too late.

II. The same three things should drive every believer to serve and to serve now.

A. Knowing the time now has come, the time is ever so short.

1. "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." (Jn. 4:34)

2. "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Rom 13:11-12)

3. "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;" (1Co 7:29)

4. "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Eph 5:16)

5. "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." (Col 4:5)

6. "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." (2 Tim 1:6)

B. Loving ‘his own,’ those for whom the believer is responsible.

1. "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." Jn15:9

2. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

3. "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Cor 5:14-15)

4. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1Jn 3:16)

C. Knowing the enemy, that he is going to strike immediately and with ail the force he can.

1. "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side." (Mt 13:19)

2. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:10-11)

3. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

4. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." (1 Pet 5:8-9)

What is the reason for our service, or why do we do what we do? If we are to follow the example of our Savior, we serve because we know the time, because we love, and because we know the enemy. These facts motivated our Lord, and they should drive us to stick to our service, to be faithful, laboring, persisting, and persevering. Note: 1 Co. 15:58