"the Towel, The Basin, And The Command To Love"

Opening Prayer

Let us pray: Gracious God, as we gather on this holy night, we are drawn to the upper room where Your Son shared His final meal with His disciples. Open our hearts to hear Your Word anew, and may we be inspired to love one another as He has loved us. Amen.

Introduction

Tonight, we gather in the sacred shadow of the upper room, on the night when Jesus showed us what love really looks like. It’s not dressed up in flowery words or grand gestures meant to impress. It’s gritty. It’s raw. And it’s humbling.

esus knelt and washed the feet of His disciples—even the feet of Judas, the man who would betray Him. Think about that. The God of the universe got down on His knees and scrubbed the dirt off of the feet of the man who was about to hand Him over to be killed. If that doesn’t challenge you, then you haven’t been paying attention.

The Scandal of Humility

In our world, humility isn’t a celebrated virtue. Let’s be honest: We’re all about self-promotion. Social media tells us to curate our lives to look perfect. Workplaces reward those who climb over others to get ahead. Even in our personal relationships, we often keep a mental tally of who’s done what for whom.

But then here comes Jesus, flipping the script. In John 13, Jesus, knowing He is about to die, doesn’t spend His last hours being served or basking in glory. No, He wraps a towel around His waist and does the job of a servant.

Imagine this happening today. Picture the CEO of a billion-dollar company showing up at your house, scrubbing your bathroom floor. Picture the President of the United States washing the feet of every refugee in a camp. Picture a famous celebrity cleaning up trash after a concert. That’s the kind of shocking humility we’re talking about here. And it’s not just for show; it’s a mandate. Jesus says, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Real-World Applications

Let’s bring this closer to home. What does foot-washing look like in your life?

• In Your Family: Have you ever apologized to your spouse or your kids when you’ve been wrong? Not just an offhand “Sorry,” but a real, heartfelt apology? That’s humility. That’s washing feet.

• In Your Community: When was the last time you served someone who couldn’t pay you back? Volunteering at a homeless shelter, visiting someone in the hospital, or helping a neighbor in need—those are acts of love that mirror what Jesus did.

• At Work: Instead of tearing others down to get ahead, how about building someone up? Offer a word of encouragement. Share credit for a project. Mentor someone who’s struggling.

Now let’s take it further. What about the people you don’t like? The people who drive you up the wall? The co-worker who gossips about you, the family member who always picks a fight, the neighbor who’s just plain rude—how do you love them?

Here’s the truth: Loving the unlovable is not optional. Jesus didn’t say, “Love one another when it’s easy.” He said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” And remember, He washed Judas’ feet too.

When you encounter someone who’s difficult, ask yourself: How can I serve them? Maybe it’s as simple as listening without interrupting. Maybe it’s extending kindness when they least deserve it. Maybe it’s praying for them—not just a casual “God, fix them” prayer, but a sincere, “God, bless them” prayer. Loving the unlovable takes courage and grace, but it’s exactly what Jesus calls us to do.

The Cost of Ignoring This Command

Let’s be blunt: If you’re not willing to love like this, you’re missing the point of following Jesus. He doesn’t say, “Love one another when it’s convenient.” He doesn’t say, “Love one another when they deserve it.” No, He says, “Love one another as I have loved you.” And how did He love us? Sacrificially. Completely. Unconditionally.

Let me ask you: Are you too proud to serve? Are you too busy to care? Are you too bitter to forgive? If the answer to any of those is “yes,” then you need to let this story shake you up. Jesus didn’t just tell us how to live; He showed us. And if you’re serious about being His disciple, you don’t get to sit this one out.

A New Kind of Love

Jesus gives us a new commandment: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Let me make this crystal clear: This is not a suggestion. It’s the litmus test of your faith. People aren’t going to know you’re a Christian because you wear a cross necklace or post Bible verses online. They’re going to know you’re a Christian because of how you treat them—especially when it’s hard.