Transforming Towel
Notes
Transcript
Barbara Klassen - great-great uncle
George Washington - Corporal - repairing a defensive barrier
Last week - public ministry ends
Rest of John - private moments with various persons
Today - private transforming moment with his disciples
Last week - Calvin Todd stated: “Stand on the Word” as we honor its reading
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
THE WORD OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Grace (verse 1): Jesus loving his disciples to the end
Truth (verse 13): “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. “
In our reading today:
the significance of servanthood and humility
powerful example of selfless service
Setting the Scene
Setting the Scene
Setting the Scene (John 13:1-3)
Jesus knew His hour had come
He loved His disciples to the end
All things under Jesus’ power
He came from God and is returning to God
“No Servant/No Volunteer”
The towel and basin—the role of a servant.
The Astonishing Act
The Astonishing Act
The Astonishing Act (John 13:4-11)
“So” at the beginning of verse 4
Jesus washed the disciples’ feet
Peter’s initial resistance - “No, you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus’ response to Peter: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
Deeper meaning of spiritual cleansing and humility.
Bath at the cross, keep washing our feet.
Lessons from the Towel
Lessons from the Towel
Lessons from the Towel (John 13:12-17)
Servant Leadership: Jesus modeled leadership through service.
Humility: True greatness lies in serving others.
Love in Action: Jesus’ love was practical and sacrificial.
Following His Example: follow Jesus’ example in serving others.
Conclusion
Jesus’ act of washing feet was a powerful demonstration of His love. Carry this spirit of servanthood into our daily lives.
Jesus transformed a simple towel into a symbol of love and humility, we can be transformed by serving others in His name.