Our Serving Savior - John 13:1-20
Pastor Chris Casoni
Part of John
January 22, 2023

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, 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 also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” —John 13:1-20


Big Idea: Jesus is our

, Savior who empowers us to live lives of .

Introduction: Having humbled himself and sacrificed for us, Jesus loves as the Servant Savior. In preparing His disciples for His impending death, Jesus takes time to model and explain the centrality of service in the life of a Christian.


1. Jesus is a Savior

  • a. Washing feet as a rebuke of debating disciples (Luke 22:24-27)

    24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. —Luke 22:24-27

  • b. Jesus models what a servant looks like (v.2-5):

    1. Taking on a menial task or accepting a lesser role
    2. Not insisting on our “rights” or “privileges”
    3. Meeting other’s needs before meeting our own
    4. Looking for a job no one else will do and cheerfully doing it
    5. Focusing on the results being achieved, not who is getting the credit

The way you

Jesus will influence the way you Him.

  • c. Peter’s shame and Jesus’ loving correction (v.6-10)

Being a servant includes

graciously as well as graciously. —Charles Swindoll

2. Disciples of Jesus

  • a. Jesus speaks to the heart of the disciples (v.12-17)

Spiritual service is about

.

  • b. Serving one another is serving God (v.12-17)

When we are

, we recognize that for Jesus’ sake .

  • c. Servants let go of the pursuit of prestige (v.16-17)

Being humble requires

of rights and needs and putting first.

3. Serving


  • a. Jesus came to serve knowing it would cost Him his life. (v.18, Ps 41:9)

    Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. —Psalm 41:9

  • b. Jesus wants them to believe that He is “I am” (v.18-19)

  • c. Receive the messenger and receive the Father and you shall be blessed (v.17,20; Matt 25:31-40)

    31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ —Matthew 25:31-40


The ability to serve God sacrificially is an when we understand that brings .


Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

  3. Can acts of service be done in self-righteousness? What do you think Jesus desires our spirit of service to look like?

  4. Jesus says that His followers should “wash one another’s feet”. What does this mean practically? How good are you at “washing others’ feet”?

  5. What is one practical thing you can do this week to follow Jesus’ example of humble service? Pray as a group that God would help you follow through on this next step.