TAKE UP THE TOWEL

1 day ago
3 min read

Tuesday • September 1, 2026

Weekly Journey: The Towel & The Title

Theme: Servanthood & Leadership

Focus: Secure enough to serve

Key Insight: Jesus knew exactly who He was, yet He still knelt down to serve. Humility is not weakness; it is strength that no longer needs to prove itself.

Governing Question: Can God trust me with influence?

John 13:12–15 NLT

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, ‘Do you understand what I was doing? You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.’”

Supporting Scriptures: Philippians 2:5–8 • Mark 10:43–45 • Luke 22:27

In John 13, Jesus does something normally assigned to a household servant: He washes His disciples' feet.

But John first tells us Jesus knew the Father had given Him authority over everything (John 13:3). That's important.

Jesus didn't serve because He forgot who He was. He served because He knew who He was.

His humility wasn't weakness or insecurity. Jesus demonstrates that Kingdom authority doesn't make us too important to serve.

Yesterday we talked about putting down the title. Today Jesus tells us to take up the towel.

It's easy to believe in servant leadership until serving requires us to do something we consider beneath us.

Jesus challenges that attitude.

The hands that would soon carry the Cross were willing to wash feet.

Jesus didn't lose authority when He knelt down. He showed us what authority was for.

Ask yourself today:

What have I decided is beneath me?

An apology?

Helping someone?

An unnoticed task?

Encouraging an overlooked person?

Servanthood doesn't mean abandoning boundaries or allowing people to misuse you. It means pride doesn't get to determine your obedience.

Find one “towel” assignment today and do it without announcing it, posting it, or expecting recognition.

Let obedience be enough.

What towel has God placed in front of me that I've been unwilling to pick up?

TUESDAY WORD

You know you're secure in your title when you're no longer afraid of the towel.

And another one worth carrying:

Jesus didn't lose authority when He knelt down. He showed us what authority was for.

TODAY'S RESPONSE

Before the day ends, identify one “towel” assignment.

Ask yourself:

What needs to be done?

Who needs to be served?

What have I considered beneath me?

Then do one thing intentionally.

Don't announce it.

Don't photograph it.

Don't post it.

Don't wait for applause.

Let obedience be enough.

Let's Pray...

Father, thank You for showing me leadership through Jesus.

Forgive me for every place where pride has made service feel beneath me. Forgive me when I've wanted authority without humility, recognition without responsibility, or influence without sacrifice.

Make me secure enough in who You called me to be that I don't have to prove my importance.

Give me discernment to know when to lead, when to delegate, when to establish boundaries—and when to simply kneel down and serve.

Don't allow people's behavior to determine my character.

Give me the heart of Jesus.

Show me the towel You've placed in front of me today, and give me the humility to pick it up.

Make me trustworthy with influence.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jesus said:

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”

Christianity isn't merely believing something about Jesus.

Discipleship means becoming increasingly like Jesus.

So don't simply admire the towel.