Messages, Meditations, and Musings on the Life of Faith by Rev. Dr. Scott E. Olson, Interim Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Preston, MN

Sunday, March 16, 2014

"Humble Service" - Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent

Humble Service
John 13.1-17
Lent 2 – Narrative Lectionary 4
March 16, 2014
Grace, Mankato, MN

Today I’m going to give you permission to be selfish, to think about yourself rather than others. That may seem odd given our new mission statement: “Through God’s abundant love, we live and work to serve others.” So, let me explain with a story. About six years ago I had same-day surgery on my shoulder to relieve an impingement. I was laid up for two weeks, though it took almost 18 months for my shoulder to return to normal. During those two weeks especially, I learned three things: 1) how to do nothing, something that doesn’t come naturally to me; 2) I can be creative in doing what I can; and 3) how to ask for and receive help. Truth be told, I’m still working on these things, particularly the last one. I don’t like to ask for help.

I think Peter is the same way. Today’s text may seem jarring to some of you who are used to hearing it on Maundy Thursday of Holy Week. This year in the Narrative Lectionary, we are reading the Passion Story slowly and deliberately, not all at once as we usually do. I really appreciate this approach. The washing of the disciples’ feet is only told in John’s gospel, and it immediately raises both eyebrows and questions. Jesus raises eyebrows by doing something that slaves wouldn’t be expected to do for their masters, though someone may do it for a guest as an act of adoration.

His act also raises a question about why foot washing didn’t become a sacrament. It seems to have the requirements: Jesus seems to command it (“unless you do this you have no part of me); there seems to be a promise of grace (blessed are you who do this); and it has a physical element attached (water).  But it’s probably a good thing it did not become a sacrament because we’d be arguing over how much water to use and what kind, what age someone has to be to have their feet washed, and whether they really understand it or not.

Most observers of the text agree that the story has two basic thrusts: first, by laying down his robe and washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus symbolizes in a prophetic act his impending death, his voluntary humiliation and laying down of his life for others. The foot washing captures the essence of other passages: Jesus says in Matthew, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mt. 20.28) Paul adds later that Jesus “did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave … he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2.5-8) Second, Jesus’ act serves as a moral example to his disciples, their willingness to be a servant and to do the same as Jesus, laying down their lives for others.

Servant leadership was a concept popularized by Robert Greenleaf in the 60s and 70s and has flourished since then. In fact, I dealt with it extensively in my doctoral work and thesis. Servant leadership in effect turns an organizational chart upside down where to lead is to serve others. But it wasn’t something that Peter got, at least during that last supper Jesus had with him. In fact, Jesus said as much to him and the others. Yet, the first step in leadership was allowing his feet to be washed by Jesus. I imagine that Peter would much rather have washed Jesus’ feet than have Jesus touch his.

I think that’s true for most of us; we are far more comfortable serving others than being served. Yet, I believe that being a truly humble servant depends upon whether we can accept being served. I have recently seen yet another story about how rude Christians are to wait staff in restaurants and how poor tippers they are as well. Some colleagues and I meet regularly at a restaurant where we prefer to meet in the back room. Each time we request it we hear about how a former group of pastors only drank coffee and didn’t order meals. No matter how long we meet there and order meals (and tip generously) we’ll probably always be tarred with that same brush. I think these are leaders who have not truly opened themselves to the Savior’s touch of their feet and don’t understand what it means to serve.

So, here’s what I want us to practice this week: opening ourselves up to being served by another. Let Jesus touch your feet through the service of another, doing so gratefully and humbly. Or, ask for help from someone, not for someone else, but for you and do it with humility and gratitude. A good place to practice is here, because we cannot love and serve others without the support of a community that loves and serves us just as Christ does. So, be selfish so that you can humbly serve as Jesus has served you. Amen.

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