Why Christ Belongs To Unworthy Slaves

Text: John 1:19-28

In the name of Jesus.  Amen.

In the first century, people would take small pieces of wood or leather from the skins of animals and fasten them to the soles of the feet.  This would protect the feet from the sharp stones on the ground or the burning sand in the sun.  Now, unlike our shoes today, shoes were sandals.  The foot was not completely covered, but a piece of wood or leather was bound to the foot by a strap around the ankle and across the top of the foot.   

Unlike today’s cement sidewalks and paved parking lots, the roads in first-century Israel were often dusty, unpaved, and usually littered with animal waste.  And so, sandals and feet both got quite dirty.  Removing your sandals before going into someone’s house did not remove the filth from your feet.  Your feet also had to be washed upon entering into a home, especially before meals.  Washing feet was a practical necessity.  

Keep in mind that if you entered a wealthy house, slaves would typically meet you at the entrance of the house.  The slaves would then undo the straps on the sandals and wash your feet.    If a household had no slaves, a family member would perhaps come and wash your feet as a gesture of humility and respect. 

And so, needless to say, unstrapping the sandals of another person and washing their feet was a dirty job for slaves. 

Why mention this, though?  

In our reading from the Gospel of John, John the Baptist says regarding Jesus,

“I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”

That is right; John says that he is not worthy to untie the strap of Jesus’ sandals like a slave.   

Please do not let the significance of this escape you.  John was very well-known and highly honored when he said this.  Thousands of people were coming out to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.  But John then says that he would not be worthy to perform the most unworthy task of a slave for Jesus – to untie the strap of His sandal.  Again, John the Baptist says he did not deserve to do the lowest job of a slave for Jesus.  

Keep in mind, that the disposition of John the Baptist was not the first time that someone had acted this way before Jesus Christ.  Remember those Magi from the East – those 3 Wise Men?  When they came before Jesus, it says that they came to worship Jesus.  That is to say, they came before Jesus not with their hands waving in the air and dancing, but these prestigious Babylonian physicians, teachers and astrologists came before the Christ child with an attitude of humility.  You see, when the Bible often uses the word ‘worship’ it is the kind of worship where one falls on their knees – the kind of worship where a person puts their face in the dust before another.  It is the kind of worship where you bow and kiss the hand of another.  It is the kind of worship where a dog humbly licks its owner's hand.  In other words, the Babylonian Magi and John the Baptist knew full well that there was a great divide between themselves and the Christ. They knew that Jesus was worthy, and they were not.  They knew that Jesus was mighty, and they were not.  They knew that Jesus was somebody and that they were nobody.  

Dear friends, as we approach the Season of Christmas, we would do well to assume the same posture as John the Baptist and the Babylonian Magi.  Please listen carefully.  As the church, we – as slaves - are not worthy to untie the strap of Jesus’ sandals. If hearing this offends you, then there is only one thing to do – repent of your pride.  Repent of thinking more of yourself than you ought to.  

Perhaps a critique of this sermon so far might be that we are making too much out of John the Baptist’s statement.  But let us consider what Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke in chapter 17.  Jesus states, 

“…when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have only done what was our duty.'” 

In other words, before Christ almighty, we have nothing to boast of, nothing for which we can demand of Christ.  We have no merit or worthiness before Christ. We have nothing to offer and nothing to give to the Christ. The divide between the Divine Christ and sinful mankind is like a great abyss. Figuratively, Christ is out of the league; we’re not in the same ballpark as Christ and we can’t hold a candle to Christ.  We are not worthy to untie the strap of Christ’s sandals.  

Several weeks ago, I was having a conversation with another pastor.  We were talking about the churches that we serve and recognizing the fact that we are unworthy pastors.  I said to him, 

“Christ doesn’t need me as a pastor at St. Paul’s.  St. Paul’s would be just fine without me.”  

I figured that this was a humble thing to say.  The other pastor agreed and said, 

“Yup, Richard, Christ doesn’t need you.  In fact, St. Paul’s would probably do better without you. But nonetheless, Christ has put you as an unworthy servant with all your failings to serve his sheep in that place and at this time.”  

Ouch, that hurt my pride.  But it is true.  I am an unworthy slave who does not deserve to be a pastor and does not deserve to serve Christ’s church.   

And for all of you here this day, it is no different for you.  You, too, are unworthy slaves who are not fit to untie the sandals of Jesus.  Compared to Christ, there is nothing special about you.  You are truly what you say you are in the opening confession: you are poor, miserable sinners.  

Now, should this shock you? Not really.  The reason why?  It is true.  But then again, how should you and I function in life with this knowledge that we are unworthy slaves like John the Baptist and the Babylonian Magi?  

Baptized Saints, hear this loud and clear: whatever past achievement might bring you honor, whatever past disgraces might make you blush, all find their end in the Christ child who was born unto you that Christmas long ago.  

That Christmas long ago, Jesus put on flesh.  Jesus is God with us.  Jesus means, “He will save His people from their sins.”  The name Jesus encompasses the whole purpose of Jesus’ coming: He will save unworthy slaves from their sins.  

Baptized Saints, had there been no sin on earth, there would have been no need for the Christ Child to be born.  If there had been no unworthy slaves, there would have been no need for Jesus to come.  Christmas is not for the boys and girls on the nice list.  But instead, there is only one list: poor miserable sinners – or we could say – unworthy slaves.  Indeed, Christmas is for sinners, for Jesus comes only for unworthy sinners.  

And so, the hope of John the Baptist and the hope of the Babylonian Magi and the hope of you dear Baptized Saints is that even though you are unworthy slaves, Christ Jesus’ kingdom belongs to people who aren’t trying to look good or impress anybody, even themselves.  Christ’s coming to you that Christmas long ago is not a reward for your faithfulness, your generous disposition, or your heroic life of prayer.  His coming to you – His dying for you – His rising for you is because of His rich grace and His abounding mercy for unworthy slaves. With John the Baptist and the Babylonian Magi, let us contemplate the Christ who came for us by confessing, 

“I am deeply loved by Christ Jesus, and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it, for I am an unworthy slave who is not fit to even untie His sandals.”  

Baptized Saints, the miracle of Christmas is that the holy, divine, majestic Christ – who is far greater than all of us – would come to us, live among us, suffer with us, die for us, and rise for us, when we haven’t earned it and certainly don’t deserve it.

Christmas is this week. Baptized Saints, rejoice in the gift of Christmas—that the Son of God came to us unworthy slaves because of His great love for you and me, so that you and me, may be His own.  

In the name of Jesus.  Amen.