Grab a Towel

Micaiah Irmler

John 13:1-5, 12-17

1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

I. - Hospitality vs. 4

4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,

Note: You were created on purpose, with a purpose, and for a purpose.

A. Posture - Recline and receive.

B. Position - Consume and complain.

Note: Serving frees us from spiritual consumerism.

Note: The greatest enemy of our calling is complacency.

II. Put On - Humility vs. 4

4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,

A. Serving moves us beyond ourselves.

B. Serving makes us .

III. Poured Out - Humanity vs. 5

5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.