… ⁴ got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

So begins the premium illustration of Philippians 2:7-8, the model for us to follow in our behavior toward one another. Imagine in your mind’s eye the Creator and Sovereign of the Universe, who is high and lifted up, the train of whose robe filled the temple, the Alpha and the Omega, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the Eternal King of Glory, the great I AM—imagine this One arising from supper, where the aroma of the Passover meal still hung in the air, the taste of lamb, bread and wine still lingered on their palates—and taking on the form of a servant.

Join with the disciples in astonishment as they look up from their reclining position with legs stretched back from the table, resting on one elbow finishing their meals, to see Jesus straightening Himself up and taking off his dinner clothes. And then He wraps a towel around his waist. What could this mean? How unusual.

The Lord Jesus never ceased to amaze them, no, confuse them. He was not afraid to touch lepers, hang out with known sinners, prostitutes, and even the hated tax collectors. He took the time to sit children on His knee, and to teach and talk to women and Samaritans. He walked on water, stilled the storms, verbally excoriated the formidable Pharisees and commanded demons. Yes, the disciples were quite familiar with the unusual. But no, they never got used to it: “What manner of man is this …?” (Mark 4:41 KJV).

No mention here of anyone else getting up. It may be the disciples were still eating, or they were mesmerized. Or it may be somewhat a casual outplaying of the beginning of the story. But it strikes me as parallel with so many times in life where God begins to work, and yet we followers of Christ sit by watching, unaware or unconcerned, maybe even confused. We become so engulfed in our own activities, thoughts and daily lives, while Jesus is thinking about something else. To be sure we all have needs that require attendance, but even in those things, what are the thoughts that occupy us?

For Jesus, the big picture was not satisfying His earthly needs, nor even the religious observance of the Passover meal. He has His mind set on a much larger picture, and it begins with His taking on the “form of a servant.” For, indeed, it was the job of a servant to wash the feet of the guests. In a day when sandals and unpaved walk-ways were the norm, such a task was a customary element of hospitality. And Jesus was not above doing it. Are we? Am I?

Lord, help focus my life on being a servant for others, like Christ was and is.