The Towel and the Basin

Philippians says that Christ took the nature of a servant. John 13 shows what that looked like on a particular evening. Jesus knew, John says, that the Father had put all things under his power, that he had come from God and was returning to God. Knowing that, he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples' feet.

The order matters. He did not wash feet because he had forgotten who he was. He washed feet because he knew exactly who he was. Full awareness of his authority is what freed him to kneel. This is the same movement Paul describes: being in very nature God, he made himself nothing.

Peter objected, and Jesus told him that unless he was washed he had no part with him. Then Jesus put the towel down and asked whether they understood. He had set an example. They should do as he had done. No servant is greater than his master.

The lesson is that humility in the life of Jesus was never weakness or low self-regard. It was strength that chose the basin. When you know who you are in Christ, you can afford to take the lowest job in the room.