Nonetheless, on the very eve of his death, he saw that his apostles were still struggling with pride. He then taught them a very memorable lesson. He girded himself with a towel and performed the lowliest of duties, one that servants back then commonly performed for household guests. Jesus washed the feet of each one of his apostles​—including Judas, who was about to betray him!​—John 13:1-11.

¹⁸ Jesus drove the point home when he told them: “I set the pattern for you.” (John 13:15)

²² Peter surely never forgot that night when Jesus had washed his feet​—over Peter’s own objections! (John 13:6-10) Peter wrote to Christians: “All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” (1 Peter 5:5) The expression “clothe yourselves” suggests the action of a servant who would clothe himself with an apron to carry out menial work. The phrase might well remind us of the occasion when Jesus wrapped a towel around himself before kneeling to perform his task of washing feet. If we follow Jesus, what God-given assignment could we possibly consider beneath our dignity? The humility of our heart should be visible to all, as if we were clothed with it.