S1 · Session Two of 6

The Towel and the Throne

Introduction

MINISTRY MATTERS

Serving is not beneath us. It is one of the clearest ways we become like Jesus.

Jesus had more authority than anyone in the room, yet He was the one who picked up the towel.

He didn't serve because He was insecure or needed people's approval. He served because He knew who He was, He knew where He came from, and He knew where He was going.

The more secure we become in Christ, the less we need ministry to make us feel important.

We don't serve to prove who we are. We serve because we know who we are.

Study objective

John 13:1–17

Section 01

THE PASSAGE

John 13:1–17 · World English Bible (public domain).

Key scriptures

1–5

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6–11

Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”

12–17

So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Section 02

SECURE ENOUGH TO SERVE

Before Jesus picks up the towel, John tells us something very important.

Jesus knew who He was.

He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands. He knew that He had come from God. And He knew that He was returning to God.

Then Jesus got up and washed feet.

There is a connection between those two things.

Jesus could take the lowest position because He was completely secure in His identity.

Sometimes we want ministry to give us significance. We want a position, recognition, appreciation or acknowledgement.

But Jesus shows us another way.

When you know who you are in Christ, you don't need a position to tell you that you matter.

You become free to simply serve.

Section 03

THE TOWEL

Verse 4 says Jesus “took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist.”

The original word for this towel is lention. It simply describes the linen towel a servant would use while working.

Jesus wasn't performing a symbolic ceremony for people to admire.

He dressed Himself like a servant and started doing a servant's job.

Foot washing was dirty, ordinary work.

And yet the person doing it was the Lord Himself.

This teaches us something important about ministry:

No job becomes unimportant when it is done for Christ.

The importance of ministry isn't found in the job.

It is found in who we are serving.

Section 04

AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

After washing their feet Jesus says:

“I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.”

The Greek word translated example is hypodeigma.

It means a pattern that is meant to be copied.

Jesus wasn't saying:

“Look at how humble I am.”

He was saying:

“Now you do the same.”

The towel wasn't something for the disciples to admire.

It was something for them to pick up.

That means following Jesus must eventually affect the way we treat people, the jobs we're willing to do and the attitude we bring into ministry.

Section 05

JESUS DIDN'T STOP BEING LORD

There is something else important in the passage.

After washing their feet Jesus says:

“You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.”

Jesus never stopped being Lord when He became a servant.

Serving didn't make Him less important.

His greatness was revealed through His willingness to serve.

This is important for us because sometimes we can think that serving means making ourselves insignificant.

It doesn't.

Biblical humility isn't believing that you have no value.

Humility is knowing your value without needing everybody else to recognise it.

Section 06

THE BLESSING IS IN DOING IT

Jesus finishes with a very practical statement:

“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Knowing about servant leadership isn't enough.

Talking about humility isn't enough.

Agreeing that Jesus was a servant isn't enough.

The blessing comes when we actually do it.

Ministry gives us opportunities every week to turn what we believe into something practical.

Someone needs helping.

Something needs cleaning.

Someone needs encouraging.

A job needs doing.

A person needs serving.

The question is not simply:

“Do I understand servant leadership?”

The question is:

“Will I pick up the towel?”

Section 07

TALK IT THROUGH

Five questions

Discussion questions

01Jesus served because He knew who He was. How can insecurity affect the way someone serves in ministry?
02Jesus took the job of a servant even though He was Lord. Why can some jobs in ministry feel more important than others?
03There was a basin in the room, but nobody else picked it up. What are some jobs we can easily notice need doing but assume somebody else will do?
04Jesus even washed Judas' feet, knowing Judas was going to betray Him. What does that teach us about serving people who are difficult to serve?
05Jesus says, “Blessed are you if you do them.” What is one area where you already know what you should do but need to actually start doing it?

Section 08

BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT TIME

Five short readings

Take about five minutes each day. Read the passage and think about the question underneath it.

Key scriptures

ONE — John 13:1–17

Read the passage again. Notice what Jesus knew about Himself before He began serving. How does knowing who you are in Christ help you serve?

TWO — Philippians 2:1–11

Jesus humbled Himself and took the position of a servant. What part of Jesus' attitude do you most need to develop?

THREE — 1 Peter 5:1–6

Peter tells believers to “clothe yourselves with humility.” What would deliberately choosing humility look like in your ministry?

FOUR — Luke 22:14–27

The disciples argue about who is greatest while Jesus tells them that He is among them as one who serves. Why do you think position and recognition can become so important to us?

FIVE — Romans 12:1–8

God gives different gifts to different people. How can you use what God has given you to benefit someone else rather than yourself?

This week's application

TAKE IT HOME

01Don't simply say:
02“I need to be more humble.”
03Choose one practical act of service this week.
04Put it into this sentence:
05When __________ happens, I will __________.
06For example:
07“When I see something that needs doing, I will do it before waiting to be asked.”
08Or:
09“When I arrive for ministry, I will look for someone I can help before going to my position.”
10The goal is simple:
11Don't wait for somebody else to pick up the towel.
12ONE THING TO WATCH FOR
13This week, look for one job you would normally assume belongs to somebody else.
14Do it.
15Don't announce it.
16Don't look for recognition.
17Don't even tell anybody you did it.
18Just pick up the towel.
19Because when we serve without needing to be seen, we are learning to serve like Christ.

Next steps

Serving Like Christ · Series One · Session 2 of 6

Next: Session 3 — Multicoloured Grace · 1 Peter 4:10–11; Romans 12:3–8

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