The Elbert County tribune., 1919-11-28


not to be miuistered unto. but to minis
ter. and TO give his life a ransom for
mani. Mat. 20:sS
ADDITIONAL. MATERtAfe-Mark 10:
@-1: Rom. i2;3-s: Phil 2:5-l: Peter
PRIMARY ToPIc-Jesus washing tho
Disciples Feet
JUNIOR TOPIC = Jesus Taking the
Place of a Servant
INTERMEDIATE ToPIc-The Dignity
OF Common Tasks
Own wv. i-3).
Jesus was fully conscious OF what
was upon him. He knew that the cross
with all Its anguish was just before
him. He knew that his disciples would
shamefuiIy forsake him In n few hours.
He 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. Notwiih-
standing all this. he displayed patient
and nntiring love. He did not with
draw his love from them because ~
their weakness and the shameful fall
nrc which he knew would soon be
made manifest.
II. Christ Washing His Disciples
Feet wv. 4-l1).
This act is symbolic OF his amazing
love for his disciples. Jesus did not
regard his hands as too holy to do this
mental service. The true Christian
does not allow his RINK In society to
keep him from acts of lowly service.
]. Steps In this service: ID He
rose from supper. (2) laid aside his
garments. t3) took towel and grid.
ed himself. 90 poured water into
basin. (5) washed his disciples feet
f6) wiped them with n towel where
with he was girded. These steps sym.
bollze Christ's entire work Of redemp
tion. His rising from supper repre-
sents his rising from his place OF en-.
ioyment In the heavenly glory his lny-
ing aside his garments. his putting
aside his vesture of mnjcsty UPhil. -.
81 his gird.ng himself. his taking the
form of n servant tPhll. . ~ the wa
ter In the basin. his cleansing blood;
his washing of their feet. his actual
cleansing of men through his Word
Gohn IL q; Eph. 3 :26) his tnking his
garments again. his return to his place
and positlon of glory.
2. Pc,-S's impetuous ignorance. He
goes from one extreme TO another II
In his failure to understnnd- the sig.
nIficance OF this service that caused
him To behave so strangely
3. The Significance of this service
to those who participate In II. ~ II
is spiritual cleansing ". 81. Fellow
ship with Jesus is only possible as we
nre continually cleansed from our sins
ale thar is washed needeth not save
TO wash his feet. hut is clean every
whit" ". 10). The cleansing here Is
not tie washing of regeneration. but
that Of sanctification. Even regenerate
folks need the continual cleansing Of
rhrlst's blood In order 10 have fellow
ship with him. He that is regenernt-
ed-washed In the blood of Christ.
symholized by baptism--does not need
repetition of the act: he only needs
the cleansing Of sanctiflcation. syi1boI-
izod by the washing OF the feet. AS
we go through this world after regen-
Grafton we are contaminated by Its
sins. He Is willing always to cleanse
ns of our sins If we allow him. (2)
A badge of brothcrly affection. This
net showed his abandonment to the
service of his own. This is a lesson
that Is much needed today. We need
more and more the fulncss of broth.
erly love. This love needs to he man
Tested 50 that 1t may be seen and re-
allied. True love can only he proved
by the service II renders. Cd A proof
of humility. This is lesson much
needed by us all. The disciples hnd
he the grentest In the kingdom: their
selfish ambition was expressing itself.
Today. on every hand. we see express
sions OF pride. vanity. and even AFRO
gnnce on the part of those who are
professcd followers Of the lowly Jesus.
n the Son of God was not ashamed to
sfoop te IowIy service his disciples
should not regard II beneath their dig
nifty To follow In his steps. t4) Equal.
Ization. As they would thus stoop to
serve each other In the name of Christ
caste among them. The Spirit Of
Christ In this service is the great lev
eler of humanity.
III. An Example for Us wv. 12-16)
The disciples Of the Lord are under
obligation 10 do unto each other as
he did unto them. This obligation rests
upon his Lordship tv. 14). All who
call him Lord In sincerity will obey
him. To refuse to obey him is to put
ones self above his Lord.
p~,ri,o tho p,,rden