| There is one classic passage for every man who | | | | Here is a leader wanting to teach and show |
| would wish to become a leader and who needs | | | | others how to lead dynamically. |
| every possible lesson about leadership and we are | | | | What makes us a Christian is not what we do for |
| dealing with these concepts and scenarios in this | | | | Jesus, but what Jesus has done for us. |
| item. | | | | Peter, let me clean you. If you allow Me to wash |
| Humility is a very positive quality. We have this | | | | you, we can do mighty things in partnership. |
| picture of utmost humility, when Jesus Christ took | | | | Peter, we can walk together and talk together |
| a towel and a basin and water and went around | | | | and minister together, but Peter, this is where it |
| washing the feet of His chosen disciples. | | | | all has to begin. |
| Humility is not get out of the limelight and keeping | | | | Is that wanting to be different there when Peter |
| in the background. | | | | swings to the other extreme and says, then |
| Humility can mean at times that you have to put | | | | wash me from toe to head, as if still saying, I'm |
| yourself right at the very centre. | | | | special and I'm different from the others. |
| What matters is how you put yourself in the | | | | He has just said that he would be with Jesus no |
| centre. It was what Jesus did and how He did it. | | | | matter what might happen. They might run away, |
| It is not what you do not do that is central here, | | | | but not me. |
| but what you do do! | | | | Jesus explains to Peter that what he wants is not |
| Jesus Christ does the job that nobody else was | | | | necessary. As I wash you in this way, you will be |
| prepared to do and Jesus willingly humbled himself, | | | | clean, but Peter, there is somebody else here |
| just hours before people tried to humiliate Him. | | | | who is not clean and he is so dirty that washing |
| We read the most intimate details as John | | | | his feet will not do much good. Not only are his |
| describes the scene in Chapter 13 of the Gospel | | | | feet dirty Peter, but unlike you, his hands are |
| of john in our New Testaments. | | | | dirty and his head is dirty. |
| With all the power and authority in the world and | | | | Judas had already agreed to sell Christ. |
| cosmos at His control, Jesus was prepared to get | | | | Jesus wants to come and wash us and clean our |
| down on His knees in front of others. | | | | hearts and thoughts and minds, so that what we |
| Jesus can come to us very gently at times. | | | | say and do will be worthy in His presence and |
| "Would you let Me do something for you?" This is | | | | sight. |
| where He can sometimes begin. | | | | We read in verse 13, "You call me Teacher and |
| Peter was not all that keen to begin with on Jesus | | | | Lord and you are right". I am, but did you see |
| washing his feet, and there is a most fascinating | | | | what I did? If you want authority this is how to |
| conversation. | | | | receive it. |
| Was it that Peter did not like to be treated just | | | | Judas would only say Teacher. Judas never once |
| like all the others? Did he want to be different? | | | | called Jesus Christ, Lord. He would only say Rabbi, |
| There can be something in us all that likes and | | | | or Teacher. We have to make that transition |
| wants to be treated differently, and Jesus will not | | | | from Teacher to Lord. You can argue or debate |
| do that. | | | | with or disagree with a teacher but you would |
| Unless I wash you, we cannot be friends and we | | | | never do anything like that with someone who |
| cannot be in real fellowship and we cannot go any | | | | was and is Lord! |
| further together. You can be no part of this | | | | These men were being trained for real leadership |
| ministry. This has suddenly turned highly serious. | | | | in the world and one man was failing dramatically, |
| Jesus Christ can do that with us if we are | | | | and he never recovered. |
| stubborn or rebellious. | | | | |