- Oct 2, 2011
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During the last supper, J 13:
This act of putting off and putting on his outer robe demonstrated servant leadership, deliberately inverting the normal social hierarchy in a way that was deeply memorable to the disciples.
This act was significant. Culturally, his outer apparel represented his dignity as a teacher and leader. By wrapping a towel around his waist, he put on the attire of a servant. Jesus visually demonstrated his willingness to take on the role of a servant, a radical reversal of social expectations.4 [Jesus] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
He acted as a servant. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, washing feet was a task reserved for the lowest servants in a household. It was considered demeaning work because feet were dirty and associated with the ground, which was seen as unclean.5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
After the demonstration, Jesus resumed his role as a teacher.12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.
This act of putting off and putting on his outer robe demonstrated servant leadership, deliberately inverting the normal social hierarchy in a way that was deeply memorable to the disciples.