Bible Text: John 13:14-30 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: John, The Towel and the Pecking Order

Recap of 9/23/12 (John 13:14-17):

1.  The disciples saw life in terms of power, authority, recognition, rulership, much like the world.  They had to impress others with their importance.  Jesus saw life in terms of servanthood,  and humility.  He was not looking to impress others but to fulfill God the Fathers purpose for Him.

2.  “…every leader must examine his or her conduct against Jesus’ teachings concerning genuine greatness.  Our Lord taught and demonstrated by His life that servanthood was the path to effective service.  His servanthood symbols were a basin, a towel, and dirty feet.” (Author unknown)

3.  In chapter nine of Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline, he presents two kinds of authority, the authority of status (represented by the pecking order) and the authority of function (represented by the towel-based on Jesus’ action in John 13). The authority of status is characterized by a desire to control, manipulate, focusing on position and titles, service is discriminate and self-serving, seeking great service, expecting reciprocation, serving by moods and whims.  This kind of service is destructive to a body and ruptures community.  The authority of function on the other hand is characterized by a desire to serve in humility and hiddenness (seeking only God’s approval), doing any service, great or small, without expectation of being paid back, serving because there is a need, a lifestyle not temporary.  This kind of service build up a body, builds community.