John 13, Morning Praise

In one paragraph

This sermon, brought by Eric Basie from his work in Billings, Montana, walked through John 13 alongside selected passages from John 12. His central theme was that Jesus modeled a life of humility and servanthood, and that understanding our identity as children of God is what frees us to follow that example. Before arriving at John 13, Eric pointed back to John 12 to establish the ground underneath...

Read together

1. John 12:12-13 crowds welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem with palm branches shouting Hosanna
2. John 12:23-26 grain of wheat must die to bear fruit, losing life to gain it, serving Jesus means following him
3. John 12:27 Jesus troubled in his soul over what was ahead of him
4. John 12:32 if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men to myself
5. John 13:1 before the Passover feast Jesus having loved his own loved them to the end
6. John 13:2 devil had put it in Judas Iscariot's heart to betray Jesus
7. John 13:3-4 Jesus knowing the father had given all things into his hands rose and took a towel
8. John 13:5-11 Jesus washing the disciples feet and exchange with Peter about being clean
9. John 13:12-20 Jesus explaining the example of foot washing and that a slave is not greater than his master
10. John 13:34-35 love one another as I have loved you so all men will know you are my disciples
11. Romans 5:8 while we were still sinners Christ died for us demonstrating God's love
12. Revelation 19 Jesus returning on a horse ready for war and judgment rather than on a donkey in peace

Talk about it

1. The preacher pointed to Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey as a picture of what he called 'the upside down kingdom.' What did that image say to you about the kind of king Jesus is, and where do you see that upside down logic playing out in your own life?
2. Jesus was free to take the role of a servant, the preacher said, because he knew exactly who he was and where he had come from and where he was going. How does your own sense of identity as a child of God shape the way you actually live day to day?
3. Peter resisted letting Jesus wash his feet, and the preacher suggested pride was at the root of it, specifically a concern about what it would say about Peter if his master acted like a slave. When have you found it harder to receive grace and help than to give it, and why do you think that is?
4. The preacher was honest about working with men who are sex offenders and his own gut reaction versus what he knew to be true about grace. He said he is no better off than those men apart from Christ. How does holding that truth change the way you think about who your church should be willing to welcome and serve?
5. Toward the end of the sermon the preacher asked the congregation to look around Jackson and identify who is on the margins, who is lonely, hungry or without fellowship. Who comes to your mind when you ask that question about your own neighborhood, and what is one practical thing you or this group could do in response?