FIRST GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST CHURCH
The Caring Church, Preparing the World by Sharing the Word

Weekly Word

THE TESTIMONY OF A TOWEL

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

JOHN 13:1-5
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

When looking at this passage of scripture, it gives us a summation of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus parting presentation to His disciples was to model His ministry of service. Jesus earthly ministry was one that modeled SERVANT LEADERSHIP. One of his final acts of service was leading by example by washing His disciples feet.

What is extremely challenging about this text is not only washing the feet of the disciples but washing disciples feet who display dirty behavior. The text does not specify or make distinctions as to Jesus being particular on whose feet He would wash. What is clear is that Jesus knew who was among the table that He would have to apply the towel to their feet. John records that Judas was at the table and was among those Jesus would extend the foot washing services towards.

In other words, Jesus sets the example for future disciples that we may be challenged but are charged to wash the feet of those who could possibly BETRAY US, DENY US, DOUBT US AND FORSAKE US. This is what is challenging about ministry. We have to pray for those who prey on us. We have to bless those who may be trying to block our blessings. We have to love those who love to hate us and hate to love us.

Jesus shows and shares with us our responsibility to wash the dirty feet of those who could be responsible for putting spikes in ours. You may ask, how is that possible? It is found in verse one of John 13 that speaks of the love that Jesus had for His disciples.

“…He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.”

When it comes to the towel, the responsibility of a disciple is to clean up those who are naughty by a “sin nature” that can be challenging but can’t change our ability to serve them with love in spite of their dirt.

God Bless

Dr. James A. Simmons, Senior Pastor