April 6, 2014 · John 13:1–5

Take Up Your Towel

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

“Jesus's service is coming out of a confidence of his position with the Father. In verse 3 we read, "the Father had put all things under his power." So this is not a person who's trying to diminish themselves, or feel, you know — they're — uncomfy. This is the Lord himself, knowing — with all his power — that the best way to demonstrate it is to serve others. He doesn't need to flex his power, because he's secure. When you see people flex — and you probably have noticed, if it's their position — sometimes you're wondering, why is this person giving me attitude? Or maybe even just when you go to get served — sometimes you have someone flexed out — you're like, what's going on here? … They need it to somehow make it clear that they have power. It's a natural human thing, and I'm sure every single one of us has done it. What Jesus is trying to make clear is, we don't need to show that you have leverage. … Because, let's be honest — if you read any good business books on leadership now, Jesus's message has gotten out there. People know — you hear it — servant leadership.”