He took a towel
Today's focusJesus, their Lord and Master, rises from supper, takes a towel and washes his disciples' feet, then tells them he has given them an example to do as he has done.
Read
4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Reflection
In this passage, Jesus shows us what true leadership looks like by doing the unexpected. Although He is the "Master and Lord," He "riseth from supper" and lays aside His garments to take up the work of a servant. By taking a towel and a "bason," He stoops to wash the dusty feet of His disciples. This act of humility surprised even Peter, who questioned why the Lord would perform such a lowly task. Jesus explains that this service is necessary, telling Peter, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."
Jesus does not use His authority to be served, but to serve others. After He had "taken his garments" and sat down again, He made His purpose clear. He told His followers, "I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." If the one who is truly "Lord and Master" is willing to wash feet, then we "also ought to wash one another’s feet." Leading like Jesus means looking for simple, humble ways to care for those around you today.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Who is one person you lead whose 'feet' you could wash this week through a humble, practical act of service?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are Master and Lord, yet you took a towel and washed feet. Forgive me where I have sought to be served. Make me a leader who serves as you served.