85. THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMILITYWhat trait most reveals if you are ready to enter the kingdom of God?
|
|
Have you ever known someone who was humble and polite but completely changed after they gained some position or office? Did you notice them becoming proud and acting as if they knew everything? Did they start thinking that nothing could be done without their authorization? What is it about being elevated to a position of authority that can change someone's attitudes and behavior? In your opinion does the statement, "Power always corrupts," seem true?
Our culture places a lot of importance on a person's position and status. People address of ceholders as, "Honorable" (Sayın) and give them prominent seats at gatherings. Protocol demands they be served first. Sometimes they even have special cars and escorts.
Officeholders have cultural prestige and status. They have power to give orders and expect others to carry them out. Let's face it, position is very important in our culture and people desire to have it. Unfortunately, power and prestige can seduce people to use the office for their own gain as well. In this lesson we will look at Jesus' surprising solution to the problem of power.
Have you ever seen the Kemal Sunal film called "The Trouble of Position" (Koltuk Belasi)? It serves as a fitting introduction to
discussing the problems relating to power.
In the opening scene of the film, police of cials and an ambulance from the insane asylum arrive at the municipality building with
sirens wailing. They are met by the mayor's secretary who informs the of cials that the mayor has gone crazy and turned the municipality into an amusement park (luna parkı). They approach the mayor who is so confused he doesn't even know what is happening. They take him away and the camera focuses on the mayor's armchair. Then the armchair speaks,
"This is the seventh mayor who has gone crazy. I wonder if I am the problem."
Kemal Sunal plays Zühtü Bey, a perfectly just man who works in the development department of the municipality. He turns down hundreds of thousands of lira in bribes from a contractor. His reputation as an honest man is mistaken for naivety, and the regional representative in the parliament and other party officials see him as someone they can control. They invite Zühtü Bey to become a candidate for mayor. Zühtü Bey's family is very eager for him to be mayor because they think it will bring them advantages in life. But they aren’t the only ones. A jobless man who likes Zühtü Bey's daughter is con dent that if they can get married his relationship with the mayor will provide lots of job opportunities.
Zühtü Bey accepts their request on the condition that he will not be asked to do anything illegal. Likewise, the parliament representative agrees as long as Zühtü Bey agrees to take instructions from him. Of course, Zühtü Bey wins the election.
As always, he shuns all gifts, praises, and special privileges. But, the people are shocked and upset. They have never seen a mayor who didn't accept accolades and special treatment. How could the life they are accustomed to living continue if the mayor won't accept bribes and gifts? Zühtü Bey goes about his business with strict integrity, shutting down illegal construction, hotels with health viola- tions, ovens with light bread, and a gas station that is watering down the fuel. Naturally, the people are in an uproar.
The armchair is very proud of the new mayor because he is honest, doesn't accept favors or in uence, and does his job according to the law. The armchair is hoping that Zühtü Bey will continue being just so people won’t think he is the root of the problem. The parliament representative hears the complaints and comes to visit Zühtü Bey. He says to him,
"What kind of a mayor are you that you are coming against the system? Do you know what party you belong to?"
"Yes," says Zühtü Bey. "It is DMDYP." "Do you know what that stands for?"
"It is the "State, People, and High Organization Party." (Devlet, Millet Düzen Yüksek Partisi)
"No. It is 'The state is rich, the one who doesn't take from it is a pig party.' Every mayor has bene ted from it. Get on the gravy train!”
"I have no desire to do so."
"You have to! The one who holds the honey licks his finger. Forget the law! Behave in such a way that neither the şiş nor the kebap burns. I am ordering you to do so. You are the Sultan!"
Buckling under pressure, Zühtü Bey reverses his previous business-closures and the people are encouraged to go even further in their violations of the law.
Later, Zühtü Bey learns that the contractor he had previously shut- down and then reinstated gave his son-in-law a luxurious home and a summerhouse. As a perk of being the mayor’s son, Zühtü Bey’s son is allowed to live in a hotel for free. Do you think his wife was complaining? Not in the slightest, she was enjoying all the gifts they were receiving because of the favors Zühtü Bey did for others. In the end, the city erects a statue for Zühtü Bey, he goes crazy, and tries to burn the armchair.
In the story, bribery, favoritism, pride, cheating, and lawlessness were all part of the current and desired system. Is it any different to- day? The love of position and its benefits is not unique to our culture. In Jesus' day, among his own disciples, this issue came up. In this lesson we will look at what Jesus said about power and leadership in the kingdom of God. Jesus will offer a solution that goes right to the heart of the matter. To keep that solution fresh in the minds of his followers for all time he began two new rites. Those two services illustrate the message of the gospel. We will begin reading about it in Luke chapter 22 verses 7-13:
7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." 9 So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?" 10 And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 "Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' 12 "Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready." 13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
The Jewish people loved and honored the sacred Passover holiday. It was a time of family, fellowship, and national solidarity. Passover is a celebration of the Israelites’ freedom from slavery and bondage in Egypt. Right before they left Egypt, God said He would kill all the first-born in Egypt, both of man and beast, and that He would execute judgment on the all the gods of Egypt. But God promised that He would pass over the houses of those who obeyed Him. As ordered, those who believed in God had to kill a lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts of the house. On that night the Israelites ate the lamb with unleavened bread. Why unleavened bread? The
Israelites were to leave Egypt so quickly they would not have time to let the bread rise. God commanded that the Passover be remem- bered and kept annually by eating lamb and unleavened bread as a memorial of their deliverance. It was this memorial meal that Jesus was eating with his disciples.
Jesus knew that he had very little time left to be with his disciples. He also knew there was a problem among the disciples that needed to be addressed. It was the problem of position (koltuk). Let’s read about it in Luke chapter 22 verse 24:
24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
What would Jesus do to help solve this problem? Would he just ignore it? Of course not! The disciple’s ght over who was the greatest showed that they weren’t understanding one of the most basic principles of the kingdom of God: humility. Jesus had to correct this while there was still time. Let's read Jesus' response in John chapter 13 verses 1-8:
1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Fa- ther, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended [KJV says ended but Turkish has the translation correct as "during supper"], the devil having 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 to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."
The meal had begun. At that time, it was custom during feasts for a servant to wash the feet of the guests before supper. Because there was no servant there, the job fell to one of the disciples. However, none of the disciples took it upon themselves to do such a low and menial task. Perhaps they didn't want to appear less important than the others. When Jesus saw that none of the disciples were going to do it, He himself got up and silently began to wash their feet.
Peter was horrified at the thought of the Messiah stooping to wash someone's feet, even his own! What would you do if the President or Prime Minister stooped to wash your feet? Would you be a little bit uncomfortable? Would you think it was wrong for a leader to do such a thing? Would you try to stop him? For Peter, it was incomprehensible that a leader would serve others. Serving was for the "lower class." But then again, Peter wasn’t about to leave Jesus’ side. If his being a part of Jesus’ life meant allowing Jesus to wash his feet, well then so be it! Let's see what happened next in John chapter 13 verses 9-11:
9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean."
It was customary for a person to completely bathe before attending the feast dinner. After taking a complete bath the disciple's whole body would not get dirty walking to the feast, only his feet. The disciples understood that. But Jesus was talking about more than physical washing and dirty feet. He used the symbol of washing to illustrate a spiritual lesson.
When Jesus said that one of them was not clean he was talking about spiritual de lement. He was talking about a disciple whose
heart was filled with sin and betrayal. The disciples had received spiritual cleansing through repentance and faith. They had already been baptized. But they had also listened to the suggestions of Satan from time to time. Do you remember when Peter came against Jesus when he learned of Jesus’ impending death? Even now the disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest God’s kingdom. They didn't need a complete spiritual regeneration. But they did need to be cleansed from wrong thinking and actions. Let's continue reading in John chapter 13 verses 12-17:
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you. 16 "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
When Jesus created the new rite of foot washing, he gave a compelling example of what true leadership is all about. The ordinance of foot washing is a reminder and symbol that humility is the core of God’s kingdom. But let us not forget that humble service is not just the bottom rung of a ladder to leadership. It is the foundation upon which a godly house of leadership is built. According to Jesus, if we want to be good leaders we better be ready to wash one another's feet, both physically and spiritually.
When we literally wash each other's feet, it displays the truth that none of us are greater than the other and that we have taken on the humble nature of Jesus Christ. How do we cleanse each other's feet spiritually? Quite simply, we forgive the transgressions they have made against us. Only a humble person can admit they need to be saved and forgiven; and only a humble person can forgive!
Does the idea of washing feet seem repugnant to you? Do you squirm when you think about washing someone else's feet? Well guess what. It is this type of activity that shows we are ready to enter the kingdom of heaven. If Jesus, who acknowledged that he is "Teacher and Lord," stooped to wash someone else's feet, who are we to say that we are above such a thing? Jesus confirmed the lesson with even more words in Luke chapter 22 verses 25-27:
25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lord- ship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' 26 "But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 "For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
In our culture leaders don't serve. Leaders command and others do the work. That is exactly what Jesus said the Gentiles do and exactly what we should not do. If we are to enter the kingdom of God, we have to have a completely new way of thinking and acting. But how can we do it? We are told our whole lives, "position, position, position" (koltuk, koltuk, koltuk). To do, or believe contrary, means going against our culture and everything we have been taught about leadership. It is ingrained in our very thinking, no, in our very being. What can we do to change this? Fortunately, Jesus has a cure for this and it doesn’t just consist of an outward ceremony of humility. It requires a change, from the inside out. We need to have new motivations that stem from a new spiritual life within. Jesus talks about that next in Luke chapter 22 verses 15-23:
15 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 "for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is ful lled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 "But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 "And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" 23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
Jesus was creating yet another rite (or ordinance). It was the service of the Lord's Supper. This ordinance would symbolize how we can have a new spiritual life within. The Lord's Supper showed how we could have new motivations that spring from humility and not the desire for being first or in the best position. Perhaps you say,
"How can eating a piece of bread and drinking some grape juice change my motivations and desires?"
Of course, eating those symbols doesn't change us. They are only symbols. But the symbols have a deeper spiritual meaning.
Do you remember the lesson entitled "Bread that Doesn't Spoil" where Jesus spoke at the synagogue of Capernaum and said some strange words that were hard to understand?22 The crowd wanted Jesus to do a miracle to prove that he was greater than Moses. They said that their forefathers had eaten the manna in the wilderness for 40 years, insinuating that Jesus needed to perform an even greater miracle if he wanted them to believe him.
Jesus replied in this way,
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead."23
The bread the Israelites ate in the desert gave them physical nourishment, but it did not give them eternal life. Jesus was promising eternal life to those who believed in him. And he added a statement that indicated that he would have to die to provide this salvation from eternal death. He said,
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."24
Jesus was not talking about eating his literal flesh. He made this point clear when he said,
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."25
At the last supper, when Jesus told the disciples to eat the bread, which was his body, he was using the same symbolic language. Je- sus had said he would give his body for the life of the world and the Spirit provides the life. Jesus also said that the words he spoke are spirit and life. Putting those two ideas together we see that living by the words of Jesus provides life through the Spirit. This is the power that overcomes the desire to be first in everything.
Jesus said that the grape juice would be, "the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you." The word "blood" also points to Jesus' death for us. Let's consider a blood covenant in the following story.
Seven year-old Melek and her best friend Nur were sitting in the park one day.
"You are my best friend ever,” Melek said looking intently at her friend.
"And you are my friend forever," said Nur. "Why don't we become blood-sisters?"
"O.K." said Melek. "How do we do it?"
"To be blood-sisters we have to mix our blood as a pledge to each other forever."
"Do we have to cut ourselves?"
"That's right."
So the girls found a sharp knife in the kitchen of Nur's mother and snuck out to the park again. Nur nervously put the blade to her lower arm and pressed till she saw the first drop of blood. Melek looked horrified knowing that she was next. But the desire to be blood-sisters with Nur was strong enough that she went through with the rite. After Melek cut her arm, they put their bleeding arms together.
"I swear to be your best friend forever," said Nur.
"And I swear to be your best friend forever," answered Melek.
Jesus made a covenant to be our savior and give us eternal life. He gave his body, that is, his life for it. He invites everyone to enter that covenant by baptism. When you share in the bread and grape juice of the Lord's Supper you are renewing your commitment, a pledge of solidarity forever. You are blood brothers with Christ.
We can go to Çanakkale to pay respects to the people who died to make our country free. By remembering the price they paid we carry an even deeper appreciation to preserve our homeland. Jesus set up a new memorial at his last supper. It wasn't the memorial of Passover. It was the Lord's Supper. By contemplating Jesus' death for us, we remember and appreciate the cost that he paid for our salvation. Thus deepening our commitment to him.
The solution for pride that corrupts leadership is Jesus' call for leaders in his kingdom to become servants like him. But this cannot be done with the natural heart. We need to have the heart of Jesus living in us to make it happen. How can we have the power of the humble Jesus living inside of us? It cannot be done naturally. It is a miracle. Just as physical food sustains our physical life, so spiritual food sustains our spiritual life. The piece of bread and grape juice are only symbols of taking Jesus into us. The real way that Jesus comes into us is by having faith in his word. We feed on God's word and call on God to give us the Spirit of Christ. It is the work of His Spirit in us that makes us humble enough to serve others with a clean heart.
Discussion Questions
1. Why did Zühtü Bey fail at being honest and true when he became the mayor? Do you think a position (koltuk) can make someone
behave differently?
2. The service of foot washing is certainly a humbling event. Do you think the service of foot washing is suf cient to make a proud
person humble? If not, what do you think can make us truly humble?
3. Did the blood of Nur and Melek have any special power in it to make their pledges secure? If not, what was the basis of their
commitment?
4. What is the greatest pledge a person can make toward a covenant? What did Jesus pledge for the covenant of salvation? What
would your pledge be in the covenant of salvation?
24 John 6:51
25 John 6:63
Our culture places a lot of importance on a person's position and status. People address of ceholders as, "Honorable" (Sayın) and give them prominent seats at gatherings. Protocol demands they be served first. Sometimes they even have special cars and escorts.
Officeholders have cultural prestige and status. They have power to give orders and expect others to carry them out. Let's face it, position is very important in our culture and people desire to have it. Unfortunately, power and prestige can seduce people to use the office for their own gain as well. In this lesson we will look at Jesus' surprising solution to the problem of power.
Have you ever seen the Kemal Sunal film called "The Trouble of Position" (Koltuk Belasi)? It serves as a fitting introduction to
discussing the problems relating to power.
In the opening scene of the film, police of cials and an ambulance from the insane asylum arrive at the municipality building with
sirens wailing. They are met by the mayor's secretary who informs the of cials that the mayor has gone crazy and turned the municipality into an amusement park (luna parkı). They approach the mayor who is so confused he doesn't even know what is happening. They take him away and the camera focuses on the mayor's armchair. Then the armchair speaks,
"This is the seventh mayor who has gone crazy. I wonder if I am the problem."
Kemal Sunal plays Zühtü Bey, a perfectly just man who works in the development department of the municipality. He turns down hundreds of thousands of lira in bribes from a contractor. His reputation as an honest man is mistaken for naivety, and the regional representative in the parliament and other party officials see him as someone they can control. They invite Zühtü Bey to become a candidate for mayor. Zühtü Bey's family is very eager for him to be mayor because they think it will bring them advantages in life. But they aren’t the only ones. A jobless man who likes Zühtü Bey's daughter is con dent that if they can get married his relationship with the mayor will provide lots of job opportunities.
Zühtü Bey accepts their request on the condition that he will not be asked to do anything illegal. Likewise, the parliament representative agrees as long as Zühtü Bey agrees to take instructions from him. Of course, Zühtü Bey wins the election.
As always, he shuns all gifts, praises, and special privileges. But, the people are shocked and upset. They have never seen a mayor who didn't accept accolades and special treatment. How could the life they are accustomed to living continue if the mayor won't accept bribes and gifts? Zühtü Bey goes about his business with strict integrity, shutting down illegal construction, hotels with health viola- tions, ovens with light bread, and a gas station that is watering down the fuel. Naturally, the people are in an uproar.
The armchair is very proud of the new mayor because he is honest, doesn't accept favors or in uence, and does his job according to the law. The armchair is hoping that Zühtü Bey will continue being just so people won’t think he is the root of the problem. The parliament representative hears the complaints and comes to visit Zühtü Bey. He says to him,
"What kind of a mayor are you that you are coming against the system? Do you know what party you belong to?"
"Yes," says Zühtü Bey. "It is DMDYP." "Do you know what that stands for?"
"It is the "State, People, and High Organization Party." (Devlet, Millet Düzen Yüksek Partisi)
"No. It is 'The state is rich, the one who doesn't take from it is a pig party.' Every mayor has bene ted from it. Get on the gravy train!”
"I have no desire to do so."
"You have to! The one who holds the honey licks his finger. Forget the law! Behave in such a way that neither the şiş nor the kebap burns. I am ordering you to do so. You are the Sultan!"
Buckling under pressure, Zühtü Bey reverses his previous business-closures and the people are encouraged to go even further in their violations of the law.
Later, Zühtü Bey learns that the contractor he had previously shut- down and then reinstated gave his son-in-law a luxurious home and a summerhouse. As a perk of being the mayor’s son, Zühtü Bey’s son is allowed to live in a hotel for free. Do you think his wife was complaining? Not in the slightest, she was enjoying all the gifts they were receiving because of the favors Zühtü Bey did for others. In the end, the city erects a statue for Zühtü Bey, he goes crazy, and tries to burn the armchair.
In the story, bribery, favoritism, pride, cheating, and lawlessness were all part of the current and desired system. Is it any different to- day? The love of position and its benefits is not unique to our culture. In Jesus' day, among his own disciples, this issue came up. In this lesson we will look at what Jesus said about power and leadership in the kingdom of God. Jesus will offer a solution that goes right to the heart of the matter. To keep that solution fresh in the minds of his followers for all time he began two new rites. Those two services illustrate the message of the gospel. We will begin reading about it in Luke chapter 22 verses 7-13:
7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." 9 So they said to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare?" 10 And He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 "Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' 12 "Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready." 13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
The Jewish people loved and honored the sacred Passover holiday. It was a time of family, fellowship, and national solidarity. Passover is a celebration of the Israelites’ freedom from slavery and bondage in Egypt. Right before they left Egypt, God said He would kill all the first-born in Egypt, both of man and beast, and that He would execute judgment on the all the gods of Egypt. But God promised that He would pass over the houses of those who obeyed Him. As ordered, those who believed in God had to kill a lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts of the house. On that night the Israelites ate the lamb with unleavened bread. Why unleavened bread? The
Israelites were to leave Egypt so quickly they would not have time to let the bread rise. God commanded that the Passover be remem- bered and kept annually by eating lamb and unleavened bread as a memorial of their deliverance. It was this memorial meal that Jesus was eating with his disciples.
Jesus knew that he had very little time left to be with his disciples. He also knew there was a problem among the disciples that needed to be addressed. It was the problem of position (koltuk). Let’s read about it in Luke chapter 22 verse 24:
24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
What would Jesus do to help solve this problem? Would he just ignore it? Of course not! The disciple’s ght over who was the greatest showed that they weren’t understanding one of the most basic principles of the kingdom of God: humility. Jesus had to correct this while there was still time. Let's read Jesus' response in John chapter 13 verses 1-8:
1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Fa- ther, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended [KJV says ended but Turkish has the translation correct as "during supper"], the devil having 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 to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."
The meal had begun. At that time, it was custom during feasts for a servant to wash the feet of the guests before supper. Because there was no servant there, the job fell to one of the disciples. However, none of the disciples took it upon themselves to do such a low and menial task. Perhaps they didn't want to appear less important than the others. When Jesus saw that none of the disciples were going to do it, He himself got up and silently began to wash their feet.
Peter was horrified at the thought of the Messiah stooping to wash someone's feet, even his own! What would you do if the President or Prime Minister stooped to wash your feet? Would you be a little bit uncomfortable? Would you think it was wrong for a leader to do such a thing? Would you try to stop him? For Peter, it was incomprehensible that a leader would serve others. Serving was for the "lower class." But then again, Peter wasn’t about to leave Jesus’ side. If his being a part of Jesus’ life meant allowing Jesus to wash his feet, well then so be it! Let's see what happened next in John chapter 13 verses 9-11:
9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean."
It was customary for a person to completely bathe before attending the feast dinner. After taking a complete bath the disciple's whole body would not get dirty walking to the feast, only his feet. The disciples understood that. But Jesus was talking about more than physical washing and dirty feet. He used the symbol of washing to illustrate a spiritual lesson.
When Jesus said that one of them was not clean he was talking about spiritual de lement. He was talking about a disciple whose
heart was filled with sin and betrayal. The disciples had received spiritual cleansing through repentance and faith. They had already been baptized. But they had also listened to the suggestions of Satan from time to time. Do you remember when Peter came against Jesus when he learned of Jesus’ impending death? Even now the disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest God’s kingdom. They didn't need a complete spiritual regeneration. But they did need to be cleansed from wrong thinking and actions. Let's continue reading in John chapter 13 verses 12-17:
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you. 16 "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
When Jesus created the new rite of foot washing, he gave a compelling example of what true leadership is all about. The ordinance of foot washing is a reminder and symbol that humility is the core of God’s kingdom. But let us not forget that humble service is not just the bottom rung of a ladder to leadership. It is the foundation upon which a godly house of leadership is built. According to Jesus, if we want to be good leaders we better be ready to wash one another's feet, both physically and spiritually.
When we literally wash each other's feet, it displays the truth that none of us are greater than the other and that we have taken on the humble nature of Jesus Christ. How do we cleanse each other's feet spiritually? Quite simply, we forgive the transgressions they have made against us. Only a humble person can admit they need to be saved and forgiven; and only a humble person can forgive!
Does the idea of washing feet seem repugnant to you? Do you squirm when you think about washing someone else's feet? Well guess what. It is this type of activity that shows we are ready to enter the kingdom of heaven. If Jesus, who acknowledged that he is "Teacher and Lord," stooped to wash someone else's feet, who are we to say that we are above such a thing? Jesus confirmed the lesson with even more words in Luke chapter 22 verses 25-27:
25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lord- ship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' 26 "But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 "For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
In our culture leaders don't serve. Leaders command and others do the work. That is exactly what Jesus said the Gentiles do and exactly what we should not do. If we are to enter the kingdom of God, we have to have a completely new way of thinking and acting. But how can we do it? We are told our whole lives, "position, position, position" (koltuk, koltuk, koltuk). To do, or believe contrary, means going against our culture and everything we have been taught about leadership. It is ingrained in our very thinking, no, in our very being. What can we do to change this? Fortunately, Jesus has a cure for this and it doesn’t just consist of an outward ceremony of humility. It requires a change, from the inside out. We need to have new motivations that stem from a new spiritual life within. Jesus talks about that next in Luke chapter 22 verses 15-23:
15 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 "for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is ful lled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 "But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 "And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!" 23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
Jesus was creating yet another rite (or ordinance). It was the service of the Lord's Supper. This ordinance would symbolize how we can have a new spiritual life within. The Lord's Supper showed how we could have new motivations that spring from humility and not the desire for being first or in the best position. Perhaps you say,
"How can eating a piece of bread and drinking some grape juice change my motivations and desires?"
Of course, eating those symbols doesn't change us. They are only symbols. But the symbols have a deeper spiritual meaning.
Do you remember the lesson entitled "Bread that Doesn't Spoil" where Jesus spoke at the synagogue of Capernaum and said some strange words that were hard to understand?22 The crowd wanted Jesus to do a miracle to prove that he was greater than Moses. They said that their forefathers had eaten the manna in the wilderness for 40 years, insinuating that Jesus needed to perform an even greater miracle if he wanted them to believe him.
Jesus replied in this way,
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead."23
The bread the Israelites ate in the desert gave them physical nourishment, but it did not give them eternal life. Jesus was promising eternal life to those who believed in him. And he added a statement that indicated that he would have to die to provide this salvation from eternal death. He said,
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."24
Jesus was not talking about eating his literal flesh. He made this point clear when he said,
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."25
At the last supper, when Jesus told the disciples to eat the bread, which was his body, he was using the same symbolic language. Je- sus had said he would give his body for the life of the world and the Spirit provides the life. Jesus also said that the words he spoke are spirit and life. Putting those two ideas together we see that living by the words of Jesus provides life through the Spirit. This is the power that overcomes the desire to be first in everything.
Jesus said that the grape juice would be, "the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you." The word "blood" also points to Jesus' death for us. Let's consider a blood covenant in the following story.
Seven year-old Melek and her best friend Nur were sitting in the park one day.
"You are my best friend ever,” Melek said looking intently at her friend.
"And you are my friend forever," said Nur. "Why don't we become blood-sisters?"
"O.K." said Melek. "How do we do it?"
"To be blood-sisters we have to mix our blood as a pledge to each other forever."
"Do we have to cut ourselves?"
"That's right."
So the girls found a sharp knife in the kitchen of Nur's mother and snuck out to the park again. Nur nervously put the blade to her lower arm and pressed till she saw the first drop of blood. Melek looked horrified knowing that she was next. But the desire to be blood-sisters with Nur was strong enough that she went through with the rite. After Melek cut her arm, they put their bleeding arms together.
"I swear to be your best friend forever," said Nur.
"And I swear to be your best friend forever," answered Melek.
Jesus made a covenant to be our savior and give us eternal life. He gave his body, that is, his life for it. He invites everyone to enter that covenant by baptism. When you share in the bread and grape juice of the Lord's Supper you are renewing your commitment, a pledge of solidarity forever. You are blood brothers with Christ.
We can go to Çanakkale to pay respects to the people who died to make our country free. By remembering the price they paid we carry an even deeper appreciation to preserve our homeland. Jesus set up a new memorial at his last supper. It wasn't the memorial of Passover. It was the Lord's Supper. By contemplating Jesus' death for us, we remember and appreciate the cost that he paid for our salvation. Thus deepening our commitment to him.
The solution for pride that corrupts leadership is Jesus' call for leaders in his kingdom to become servants like him. But this cannot be done with the natural heart. We need to have the heart of Jesus living in us to make it happen. How can we have the power of the humble Jesus living inside of us? It cannot be done naturally. It is a miracle. Just as physical food sustains our physical life, so spiritual food sustains our spiritual life. The piece of bread and grape juice are only symbols of taking Jesus into us. The real way that Jesus comes into us is by having faith in his word. We feed on God's word and call on God to give us the Spirit of Christ. It is the work of His Spirit in us that makes us humble enough to serve others with a clean heart.
Discussion Questions
1. Why did Zühtü Bey fail at being honest and true when he became the mayor? Do you think a position (koltuk) can make someone
behave differently?
2. The service of foot washing is certainly a humbling event. Do you think the service of foot washing is suf cient to make a proud
person humble? If not, what do you think can make us truly humble?
3. Did the blood of Nur and Melek have any special power in it to make their pledges secure? If not, what was the basis of their
commitment?
4. What is the greatest pledge a person can make toward a covenant? What did Jesus pledge for the covenant of salvation? What
would your pledge be in the covenant of salvation?
24 John 6:51
25 John 6:63