the necessity of humility in service and purity in our walk.
The Humility of Christ and the Washing of Feet
Most of my reading and commentary research deliberately avoids modern ,progressive and even traditional modern commentators. I have found them far to influenced by the media and social and even denominational pressure to be completely honest in their thought. With that in mind I asked my AI to help me put together this sermon and I asked it to configure all of the lines of one of my favorite commentators , John Gill (1697-1771) I u destined he was what some would call a hyper Calvinist “though he never denied the necessity of preaching the Gospel. He defended the doctrine of grace, the eternal covenant of redemption, and was one of the first Baptists to write a comprehensive systematic theology.”
He wrote an entire commentary on the Bible was flyer in Latin, Greek and Hebrew by the time he was 22 years old and was called to pastor Horsleydown Baptist Church in Southwark, London—a congregation that would later become the Metropolitan Tabernacle, where Charles Spurgeon would later preach.
Anyway without further ramblings…
A Sermon in the Style of John Gill
The Saviour’s washing of the Apostles Feet:
Text: John 13:1-18
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Introduction: The Example of Christ in Service and Purity
Brethren, our Lord Jesus, knowing that His hour had come, sought in His final hours before His passion to instruct His disciples in the nature of their ministry. It was not to be a ministry of earthly dominion but one of humility, service, and sanctification. In this sacred moment, He stoops to wash the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowest of servants, thus teaching them—and us—the necessity of humility in service and purity in our walk.
Let us consider:
• The Necessity of Cleansing
• The Example of Humility
• The Exclusion of Judas
• The Call to Minister to One Another
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I. The Necessity of Cleansing (John 13:6-10)
The Apostle Peter, filled with reverence yet misunderstanding, resists when his Master stoops to wash his feet:
“Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” (v. 6).
To this, Christ responds with a rebuke:
“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” (v. 8).
Here we observe:
First, this is not an ordinance of salvation. The washing of feet is not an outward ordinance of justification, as is baptism, nor a sacrament, as is the Lord’s Supper, but rather an illustration of spiritual cleansing.
Second, this is a picture of ongoing sanctification. Christ declares,
“He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit” (v. 10).
This speaks of those who are already justified, needing only the continual purification from the defilement of the world. This cleansing is accomplished through the Word:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17).
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).
Thus, brethren, though we be saved, we must still daily cleanse ourselves from the stains of sin by the Word of God, confessing our faults one to another (James 5:16) and walking in the light (1 John 1:7-9).
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II. The Example of Humility (John 13:12-15)
When Christ had washed their feet, He sat down again and said:
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (vv. 13-14).
Here we observe:
First, this is not an institution, but an example. Christ does not command an ordinance but gives an example, saying,
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (v. 15).
This is the same humility that Paul exhorts the saints to have:
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” (Colossians 3:12).
“Charity… seeketh not her own.” (1 Corinthians 13:5).
Second, this is a call to minister to one another. As Christ laid aside His garments to serve, so must we lay aside our pride to minister.
“By love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13).
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).
Oh, brethren, do we minister to one another? Are we quick to serve and slow to exalt ourselves? Let us be as our Master!
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III. The Exclusion of Judas (John 13:11, 18)
Christ, knowing who would betray Him, declared:
“Ye are clean, but not all.” (v. 11).
And again,
“I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.” (v. 18).
Here we observe:
First, a picture of false brethren in the Church. Judas had walked with the disciples, held the bag, and even appeared faithful, yet he was called:
“The son of perdition.” (John 17:12).
“A devil.” (John 6:70).
Even as Simon the sorcerer, though he believed and was baptized, was rebuked by Peter:
“Thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Acts 8:21).
So, too, Judas was never truly regenerated. The presence of hypocrites among the faithful is no strange thing. The tares shall ever grow among the wheat until the final harvest (Matthew 13:30).
Second, a warning against outward religion without true cleansing. Judas was among the disciples, but he was never truly clean. It is not service, nor ceremony, nor proximity to Christ that saves, but the inward cleansing of the soul by the Spirit of God.
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IV. The Call to Minister to One Another (John 13:14-17)
Finally, our Lord concludes:
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (v. 17).
Here we observe:
First, serving in humility is a mark of true discipleship. Just as Christ washed the feet of His disciples, so must we continually minister to one another, admonishing, encouraging, and keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.
“Teaching and admonishing one another.” (Colossians 3:16).
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro… but speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Second, we are called to be a holy people for a holy God. We must remain separate from the world, not defiled by its contaminations, for we are vessels for the Master’s use.
“Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
“Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
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Conclusion: Three Illustrations
1. Salvation – Just as Peter first resisted cleansing but then submitted, so must all sinners yield to the cleansing power of Christ. Without Him, we have no part with Him.
2. Discipleship – As Christ humbled Himself, so must we take up the towel of service and minister to one another.
3. Charity – The spirit of humility is not self-serving but sacrificial. If our Lord and Master humbled Himself to serve, should we not do likewise?
May we be found faithful, dear brethren, in ministering to one another, sanctifying ourselves in His truth, and walking in humility, knowing that the servant is not greater than his Master.
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Scripture References Used
John 13:1-18
John 17:17
Ephesians 5:26
Matthew 20:27
Colossians 3:12
1 Peter 5:5
Galatians 5:13, 6:2
1 Peter 1:16
Acts 8:13, 8:21
2 Corinthians 6:17
1 Corinthians 13:5
May God grant us grace to walk humbly, serve faithfully, and remain unspotted from the world. Amen.