The Order of the Basin and Towel

Read John 13:1-17

It is Thursday night, the night before Jesus was to be crucified. In John 13:1-2 we read that Jesus' hour had come, and he would soon be dead. This was his destiny and these men with him were his beloved disciples, the men he had chosen and the Father had given him. He knew that the Devil had already put into Judas’ heart to betray him. Judas was one he had chosen and like the others, Judas was loved until the end, even though Judas was destined to betray Jesus.

In Luke 22:7-13 we learn that Jesus sent Peter and John off to secure a large room in Jerusalem and to prepare the meal to celebrate Passover - the Last Supper. Jesus and the rest of the disciples are most likely resting at the home of Lazarus and his sisters. One can only guess that Lazarus had invited Jesus and his disciples to stay for the Passover meal. However, we can be sure Jesus explained why he must meet alone with his disciples in a borrowed upper room in Jerusalem.

It is now time for the Passover meal. I can imagine that as the disciples climbed the stairs to the upper room a lively “discussion” erupted between the disciples as to who was the greatest amongst them. (Luke 22:24-27) Jesus heard their “discussion” and chuckled to himself and thought to himself another teachable moment.

Using more creative imagination, we can imagine that Jesus entered the room first and thanked Peter and John for all their hard work. Then as host of the meal, Jesus assigned each of the disciples their place to recline and eat the meal. He placed John on his right and Judas of all people on his left side. Peter was not assigned a place to Jesus’ immediate right or left side. He, I am sure, was not happy.

Scripture tells at some point and time Jesus “rose from supper (it was teachable moment time). He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Since feet clad only in sandals tend to get dusty on the unpaved roads of Palestine, it was customary for a host to provide a basin of water so guests could wash their own feet. The disciples were stunned and silent that Jesus was washing their feet. This was unheard of, Rabbis don’t do this. How could Jesus do such a thing when he was their Lord, their Messiah, and their teacher?

When Jesus got to Peter to wash his feet, Peter asked Jesus if he was going to wash his feet. “Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.” Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!” Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.” “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬-‭17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

If Jesus the Lord and Rabbi sets an example of humbling himself to serve, how much more should we, his disciples, do so, rather than touting our own self-importance? In Mark's Gospel Jesus taught his disciples:“ But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭43‬b-‭45‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When one of the graduating classes of the Denver Seminary marched across the platform to receive their diplomas, Dr. Vernon Grounds, then the seminary president, presented each graduate with a gift. A new Bible? No. An inspiring book? Again, no. Possibly, a plaque of commendation? Again, negative. He presented each person with a towel‑‑a common ordinary hand towel to remind them of the example of Jesus‑‑a visual reminder of the fact we are to be servants, not lords. Those towels have now been carried all over the world by men and women who have learned that lesson well. (Dr. Harold J. Sala, Guidelines For Living)

Would like to serve others and join the “order of the basin and towel”?