The Towel

John 13:1–17

The final night before the cross had arrived. Jesus knew exactly what was coming. John tells us that He knew He had come from God and was returning to God. So what did the Creator of the universe do with those final hours?

He picked up a towel.

Jesus got up from supper, poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples’ feet. Foot washing was the work of a servant. These men had spent years calling Him Teacher and Lord, yet their Teacher and Lord knelt down in front of them and washed dirt from their feet. And don’t miss who was in the room. Jesus washed Peter’s feet knowing Peter would deny Him. He washed the others knowing they would scatter. And Judas—the man who would betray Him—was there too.

Then Jesus told them, “I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you.” Jesus was redefining greatness. In His Kingdom, leadership isn’t about how many people serve you. It’s about how willing you are to serve them. Love isn’t merely something we say. Sometimes love kneels down, picks up a towel and does something nobody else wants to do.

We spend a lot of time asking God to give us opportunities to make a difference. Sometimes that opportunity is already standing right in front of us. It may be our spouse, our children, a coworker, a neighbor or someone who can never repay us. Following Jesus sometimes looks a whole lot more like carrying a towel than standing on a stage.

Today’s thought: Whose feet can I “wash” today by simply serving them the way Jesus served me?

Circle up!

Shannon Formby, Founder of My Faith Journey

© 2026 Shannon Formby · My Faith Journey. All rights reserved.