Do you want a towel or a just title?
A couple of weeks ago, at my parents' house, we were preparing Thanksgiving dinner. We were all busy rushing about making the dinner. Mom said, "Hand me a towel" as she removed the rolls from the oven and began to get everything ready for dinner. As she scurried about her kitchen, making sure everything was in order, she was oblivious to anything else except making sure she was ready to "serve" her family. She had stayed up late and then risen early to make sure everything was cooked and just right. She wasn't doing it out of drudgery or a sense of duty but she genuinely "delighted" in serving us--her family--in this way!
“Hand me a towel” - in pondering this phrase, I am reminded of prime example of servitude found in John chapter 13. We read about how our Savior himself modeled servitude. He grabbed a towel and girded himself and began to wash the feet of His own disciples. We read on to where Simon Peter felt almost embarrassed to have Jesus (His KING) wash his feet. We can look at the Scriptures and see that the disciples had an askewed view of Jesus at this point. They recognized him as their MASTER, their KING, and their MESSIAH but they didn't know him yet as their SAVIOR. They were expecting Jesus to somehow overthrow the government and become the ruler of their land. So, with this perception of Jesus, one with authority and with many titles, washing the feet of His own "subjects" seemed so absurd.
John 13:4-10 [4] He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. [5] After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. [6] Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? [7] Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. [8] Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. [9] Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. [10] Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
Later in his life and ministry, Peter came to understand Jesus' actions here in a much better light but at this moment, Peter initially mistook Jesus' actions as strange or weird, especially for a master/king. In Peter’s mind, leaders were “to be served”. In reality, Jesus was trying to convey just the opposite- he was modeling a true leader’s attitude of servitude and humility to His disciples. He realized His time with them was coming to an end. He wanted them to understand that a true leader is a humble servant to all those around him.
These were the very disciples that were caught in previous passages arguing over who was the greatest among them or even in Mark 10:35-45. James and John (sons of Zebedee) were even asking to sit on Jesus' right hand and His left hand in Glory. They didn't understand it wasn't a title or a position that they should be seeking nor should they be striving to be the greatest, but they should be looking for ways to serve others and each other.
Matthew 23:11-12 ---But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted…
Mark 9:33-35---And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? [34] But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. [35] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Luke 9:47-48 ...for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Luke 22:25-34
In our society, everyone seeks to be the big “I”. Success and fame is highly sought after. Only rarely do you see folks who don’t have to have the credit, but are just willing to “serve”. This world has completely forgot that, in order to be a good leader, we must first learn to serve.
Everywhere you look, restaurants and businesses are advertising, “Help wanted!” “Servers Needed”— there is a vast shortage of people who are willing to “serve”. We have produced a very selfish, self serving society that have no desire to be servants to anyone. Pride, the entitlement mentality and self awareness has taken away people’s work ethic.
You see, a true servant has an attitude of humility. They possess an attitude of submission. They don’t care about who gets the credit. They are just wanting to see the Kingdom of God furthered. They just want to serve God by serving others.
The other day, our 8 year old son was talking about how he wanted to be president when he grew up. He explained that he wanted to be president so he could “rule over” everyone else. My husband then explained that presidents were not meant to “rule” over the people but they were really meant to “serve” our nation. But sadly, even in government, many, if not most, of our leaders have forgotten that they were not elected or put into their roles to be “lords” or dictators over the nation, but rather, they were called to serve the people they represent. Many delight in the power, prestige, and glory that their “title” brings, but they sometimes forget the awesome responsibilities that they undertake when they become “public servants”.
This “title/position” thing isn’t just confined to the world; For years, this mentality has been trying to permeate our churches as well. If we aren’t careful, we all can desire to be the greatest or to be the one whom the Pastor recognizes and praises for our talents/accomplishments. In our sinful nature, we all like to be bragged on and be made to feel like we are actually “something special”.
But what we truly need is a generation of humble servants who are willing to “pick up the towel” and go to work. In the big scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter if we get the credit. It doesn’t matter if we are the ones who are “singing it down” when God decides to visit His people. It doesn’t matter which preacher that God uses to bring revival. All that matters is that God is glorified.
There is nothing we will ever do for Christ that He doesn’t recognize and remember. He keeps records. He is writing it all down. That’s why we are admonished to “lay up treasures in Heaven”— those seemingly unseen, un-acknowledged things we do don‘t go unnoticed by HIM! His eyes are upon the righteous! He sees our actions! He knows our hearts and our motives!
I would much rather have God notice my efforts and Him to reward me than to just seek after man’s applause. Man’s approval is fickle and fleeting. God’s approval is eternal!
If we just do things just to seek for man’s praise and to be “seen” , God tells us in Matthew 6 that that IS our reward. It’s when you just are willing to serve (without thought of any credit or accolades) that God really takes notice and will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:2-4
… when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [3] But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: [4] That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
In closing, may I encourage “US” to seek to become more like Christ this holiday season. Let’s seek to serve (both God and those around us) - let’s pick up the “towel” and get busy working to see God glorified. We may never have a TITLE, but we still have a purpose. Everybody can wield a towel. 😉
-Tiphanie ❤️