“So he (Jesus) got
up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and
poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying
them with the towel he had around him.” John 13:4-5
When He was
finished, He got dressed again and sat back down at the table.
What an incredibly
human moment. I have often removed my “good” clothes to keep them from being
soiled while tackling a particularly dirty job.
But I think Jesus’
actions have a much greater significance. He took off His robes, not out of
care that they would become soiled, but as a symbolic representation of what
was to come; when His robes would be stripped from His battered body and He
cleansed the world from the power of sin by laying down His life.
He dried their feet
as well, taking care that the towel was kept clean by keeping it wrapped around
His body instead of simply laying it on the floor beside the basin.
I think of the roads I have traveled, the paths of sin I have followed or been led along willingly or unwillingly. I think of the places my feet have taken me that were so far
removed from God and I was utterly lost.
But I have a God
that sees beyond all this. I have a God who helps me see beyond all this and live a better life. All because of a
basin full of new beginnings and the humble grace of Jesus. This new life has happened
because Jesus wrapped a towel of forgiveness around my soul.
An odd thing has
popped into my head. The expression, “throwing in the towel” has come about
because of wrestling matches. It is a symbol of surrender. When one participant
could no longer fight, the towel would be thrown into the ring. The match was
over.
God never will throw
in the towel. It’s why Jesus wrapped it around Himself. AMEN!
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