Towel and Basin

To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer.

Open your time by reciting these words:

Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lectio (Reading)

Take a moment to read John 13:1-20 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

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. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17

Meditatio (Meditation)

In today’s passage, Jesus and His friends gathered around a table for an evening of community, food, and celebration. While conversations broke out all around, no one mentioned the neglected towel and basin in the corner. It was custom in that day for a lowly servant to perform the humbling act of ceremonially washing the guest's feet, but that hadn't taken place. No one imagined Jesus, their beloved teacher and rabbi, would be the one to stand up and grab the towel, but He did. 

It was a job nobody wanted to do, and it was unthinkable for anyone to volunteer for this filthy task; yet Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself and took on this role. This humble act of service and love profoundly demonstrated the heart of Jesus. With a towel and basin, Jesus painted a picture of how true greatness comes not from power or prestige but from a willingness to serve. He showed His disciples that they should be willing to do the dirty work, humble themselves and help those around them.

Take a moment to imagine what it must have been like to be one of Jesus' disciples at the table. As Jesus knelt before each of His disciples and washed their feet, consider what they must have been thinking - this was their teacher, their leader, their Lord humbly serving them. 

Contemplatio (Contemplation)

Humility versus pride is a daily tension we all face. Those are our options, and one always wins out. We all pursue convenience to some degree and living in today's age, it is easy to experience. Everything we could ever want or desire is at our fingertips. Convenience is the ultimate value in our culture, but Jesus offers a different way of living. Defined by a servant's heart, Jesus Christ—the Son of God through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17)—did not expect to be served by humanity, but rather Jesus served humanity by giving His life as a ransom. That is a radical idea. An idea that is so opposite of the way we typically think. We live in a world that values power and control. It tells us to measure our worth and success by the size of our platform, how much money we make, or how many people are under us.

But Jesus showed us that the picture of true greatness comes when we lay our pride and position aside. Serving others is not a chore but a privilege. It is an opportunity to show others love, concern, and compassion. Jesus washed the feet of every guest, including Judas, the individual who would ultimately go on to betray Him. The message Jesus wanted to convey was that His love had no limits - it included friends, family, neighbors, strangers, and even our enemies. Humble, servant-hearted love is what He hoped defined His followers. Our quest for convenience possesses the ability to cripple our relationships, squander our influence, and stunt our impact as a community. We can't genuinely engage others when our focus is on guarding our comfort. Being wrapped up in our world, we don't see the hurting and lost people around us. When we are solely thinking about ourselves and our comfort, the needs of others isn't much of a concern. 

Take a moment to contemplate where Jesus needs to wash away your pride. Why did that area of your life come to mind?

Actio (Action)

Engaging in relationships can be challenging and time-consuming. Entering someone's world requires attention and effort. Washing someone’s feet involves our hands getting messy. Scripture says that no one has ever seen God, but something miraculous happens when we love one another: His love is made complete. Let the love that makes the church distinct be the picture of a towel and basin.

We instinctively reflect the people we admire. Like sponges, we soak up every little nuance of who they are. We attempt to mimic their words, actions, style, and demeanor. We want to look like mini-versions of them. Interestingly, "Christian" comes from a Greek word meaning "little Christ." When people watch the way we live and go about our business, they should see the reflection of Christ. Jesus invites us to spend our days following in His footsteps. He gave us an example to shoot for, and it's centered on humbly serving, forgiving, loving, and making much of others. Love looks like washing one another’s feet. Love looks like serving. 

Take a moment to consider how humility can define your words, actions, and demeanor today. How can you reflect Christ's example by serving and loving others?

Oratio (Prayer)

Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:

God, may I never grow comfortable in my pursuit of You. Rather than look out for my good, I hope my first thought would be to serve. Transform my heart to be more like Your heart. Stretch me and mold me into Your image so that I can bring You glory. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.