The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1919-11-26


ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-Mark 10:
ss-S:S Eona, n:ass Phil 2:5-11: Peter.
S:S-u.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Jesus Washing the
Disciples Feet
JUNIOR TOPIC = Jesus Taking the
Place of a Servant.
NTERMEDIArE ToPIc-The Dignity
% Common Tasks.
I. christ's Amazing Love for His
Own wv. 1-3).
Jesus was fully conscious of what
was upon him. he knew that the cross
with all It's anguish was just before
him. he knew that his disciples would
shamefully forsake him in a few hours.
BE knew that one Of that number
would be the instrument in the hands
Of the devil in his betrayal. He knew
that all things were in his hands; was
fully conscious of his deity. Notwith-
standing all this, he displayed patient
and untiring love. He did not with
draw his love from them because Of
their weakness and the shameful fail
ure which he knew would soon be
made manifest.
u. Christ Washing His Disciples
Feet ivy. 4-11).
This act is symbolic of his amazing
j love for his disciples. Jesus did not
regard his hands as too holy to do this
menial service. The true Christian
does not allow his rank in society to
keep him from acts Of lowly service.
1. Steps in this service: CD He
rose from supper, ~ laid aside his
garments, ta) took a towel and grid
ed himself, (4) poured water into q
8 basin, 6, washed his disciples feet,
(6) wiped them with a towel where
with he was girded. These steps SYM
bolize Christ's entire work Of redemp-
ton. His rising from supper repre-
sents his rising from his place Of en-
Joyment in the heavenly glory: his lay
ing aside his garments, his putting
aside his vesture of majesty (Phil. FL,
81; his girding himself, his taking the
form Of q servant (Phil. 2:D; the wa
ter in the basin, his cleansing blood;
his washing of their feet. his actual
cleansing aofi men through his Word
(John 1913; Eph. 8 :26) his taking his
garments again, his return to his place
and position Of glory.
2. Peters impetuous ignorance. he
goes from one extreme to another. 1t
In his failure to understand the sig
nificance: Of this service that caused
him to behave.so strangely.
8. The significance Of this service
to those who participate in it. O 1t
is spiritual cleansing ". 81. Fellow
ship with Jesus is only possible as we
are continually cleansed from our sins.
-sHe that is washed needeth not save
to wash his feet, but is clean every
whit" (v. 10Y. The cleansing here IS
not the washing of regeneration, but
that Of sanctifcation. Even regenerate
folks need the continual cleansing Of
Christ's blood in order to have fellow
ship with him. He that is regenerat-
ed-washed in the blood of Christ,
symbolized by baptism-does not need
a repetition of the act; he only needs
the, cleansing Of sanctifcstion, symbol
lied by the washing Of the feet. AS
we 30 through this world after regen-
Grafton We are contaminated by its
sins. He is willing always to- cleanse
us of our sins If we allow him. (2)
A badge of brotherly affection. This
act showed his abandonment to the
service of his own. This is lesson
that is much needed today. We need
more and more the fulness of broth
erly love. This love needs to be man
ifested so that 1t may be seen and re-
allied. True love can only be proved
by the service it renders. (3) A proof
of humility. This Is lesson much
needed by us all. The disciples had
just been disputing as to who should
be the greatest In the kingdom; their
selfish ambition was expressing itself.
Today, on every hand, we see express
sIons Of pride, vanity, and even arro-
gance on the part OF those who are
professed followers Of the lowly Jesus.
n the Son Of God was not ashamed to
stoop to lowly service his disciples
should not regard it beneath their dig
nity to follow In his steps. (4) Equal
ization. AS they would thus stoop to
serve each other in the name of Christ
there would be sure destruction Of
caste among them. The Spirit Of
Christ in this service is the great lev
eler of humanity.
TIL. An Example for Us wv. 12-1s).
The disciples Of the Lord are under
obligation to do unto each other as
he did unto them. This obligation rests
upon his Lordship (v. 14). All who
call him Lord in sincerity will obey
him. To refuse to obey him is to put
ones self above his Lord.
Bearing the Burden