Towels Over Titles (John 13:2-17)

Let me ask you something: when was the last time you did something for someone else that no one would notice, but Jesus did? Tonight we’re in John 13:2-17, and we find Jesus, God in the flesh on His knees with a towel around His waist, washing feet. Let that sink in for a moment. This wasn’t just about clean feet. This was about a clean heart. It wasn’t just about humility, it was about identity.

I. The King Takes the Towel (vv. 2-5)

2 And supper being ended, 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.

A. Jesus was the Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant.

He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up a towel. He was Lord and Master, yet He served His followers. It has well been said that humility is not thinking meanly of yourself; it is simply not thinking of yourself at all.

True humility grows out of our relationship with the Father. If our desire is to know and do the Father’s will so that we might glorify His name, then we will experience the joy of following Christ’s example and serving others.

B. Jesus could’ve worn a crown, but He picked up a towel.

We today, just like the disciples that night, desperately need this lesson on humility. The church is filled with a worldly spirit of competition and criticism. We may be growing in knowledge, but not in grace.

The Savior of the world, the One who calmed storms and raised the dead, He’s washing the dirt, the sweat, off the feet of men He created. If you want to look like Jesus, stop looking for a spotlight and start looking for a towel.

II. Peter’s Objection and Our Pride (vv. 6-11)

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.” 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.”

A. Peter resists

As Peter watched the Lord wash his friends’ feet, he became more and more disturbed and could not understand what He was doing. And honestly, many of us would too. You know why? Because humility is uncomfortable especially when it’s shown to us.

Sometimes, it’s easier to serve than to be served. Because being served reveals our pride. Peter voiced for the disciples the sense of shock by his question, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” (13:6). That was not merely a question. It was more like a challenge based on a confusing set of circumstances. It did not make sense to the disciples.

B. Jesus was teaching His disciples the importance of a holy walk.

When the sinner trusts the Saviour they are “bathed all over” and their sins are washed away and forgiven. However, as believer’s walk in this world, it is easy to become defiled. They do not need to be bathed all over again; they simply need to have that defilement cleansed away. God promises to cleanse us when we confess our sins to Him.

But why is it so important that we “keep our feet clean”? Because if we are defiled, we cannot have communion with our Lord. When God “bathes us all over” in salvation, He brings about our union with Christ; and that is a settled relationship that cannot change. However, our communion with Christ depends on our keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). If we permit unconfessed sin in our lives, we hinder our walk with the Lord; and that is when we need to have our feet washed.

III. A Pattern for a New Kind of Leader (vv. 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.

A. Jesus didn’t just preach about humility, He demonstrated it.

Being blessed is the by-product of a life that is lived in the will of God. When we humbly serve others, walk in God’s paths of holiness, and do what He tells us, then we will enjoy being blessed.

Jesus asked the disciples if they understood what He had done, and it is not likely that they did. So, He explained it: He had given them a lesson in humble service, an example for them to follow. The world thinks that happiness is the result of others serving us, but real joy comes when we serve others in the name of Christ. The world is constantly pursuing happiness, but that is like chasing a shadow: it is always just beyond your reach.

B. Jesus serves us.

Jesus was their Master and He is our Master also. He had every right to command their service. Instead, He served them! He gave them an example of true Christian ministry.

You want joy? You want to live with purpose? Then serve like Jesus. Submit to the Father, keep your life clean, and serve others. This is God’s formula for true spiritual joy, so don’t wait for a title. Grab a towel.

I could end this message with a prayer and a song. But tonight, I think Jesus is asking me to do something more. So tonight, before we go I want to start. Not as a pastor. Not as a leader. But as your brother in Christ. If you’ll allow me, I want to wash your feet.