Dirtiest Towel Wins
When I was in college I saw a bumper sticker on a Red Ferrari, that read “He who dies with the most toys wins.” My wife worked at a lawyer’s office and as I got to know that lawyer I knew he was determined to be the biggest winner of them all. I believe that lawyer was not alone in his philosophy. Our world has bought into that philosophy hook, line and sinker.
I want to take you back to a time when Jesus was on the earth. He brought a philosophy to us that is in direct competition with the other philosophy. Jesus was preparing to die on the last night he was with his disciples, and he got up from the table and began to wash their feet. The leader bent down and served. You see, Jesus took a towel and showed the disciples a new philosophy: “He who dies with the dirtiest towel wins.”
The story is in John 13:3-17. Jesus shows us that it is better to serve than to be served. Jesus showed us that it is more important what you do for others than what you collect out of life. Let me give you five ideas about getting “DIRTY” for others.
The “D” stands for “Don’t wait to be served.” Jesus stepped up to serve his followers. He didn’t hint around about something needing to be done. No, he stepped up and put on the towel and started to wash their feet. The one who created them now served them. Many times we see a need and pray that someone will meet it. Instead, Jesus teaches us to see a need and begin to meet it.
The “I” stands for “Image is nothing.” Sprite may say it, Jesus lived it. He made himself a servant to all he met. He was not worried what others thought or how they perceived him or his actions. When he got to Peter, Peter resisted. Peter wanted to know what the boss was doing on his knees doing work that a slave hated. Jesus told Peter unless I wash your feet you have no part in me. Jesus knew they would not understand, but that did not stop him. He left his image at the door and picked up a towel.
The “R” stands for “Resolve to withstand criticism.” Criticism was nothing new for Jesus. He had heard it ever since he came out of the river with John. He kept going inspite of what they said or did to him. This time is was different. Someone who knew him, walked with him and was chosen by him was now criticizing him. Peter criticized Jesus because Jesus was the leader, and yet he was washing their feet. Jesus realized Peter didn’t understand yet, so he kept going anyway. Jesus withstood the criticism because he knew His father smiled as he watched his son change the world. The same is true for us. If we have the guts to pick up a towel, people will talk. They will question our motives and criticize our actions. We have to decide to have thick skin and serve anyway.
The “T” stands for “Take Jesus’ example to heart.” Jesus was a leader, and yet he gave up his rank in heaven to follow what God had called him to do. He became a servant. The one who could have had everything, gave it up to serve mankind. Jesus changed his world by serving others. When it came to the end, Jesus’ towel was dirty with the grit and grime of living for others. It was tainted with the blood of his sacrifice and soaked with the sweat of his passionate work. Follow his example and lose yourself in serving others.
The “Y” stands for “Your life will have new meaning.” When you serve others you begin to view life in a different way. It is said, “We make a living by what we get, and a life by what we give.” When we step outside our own desires and help others around us, we grow. We become different as we help others. It is a change that nothing else can make happen. God becomes real within us. If you want to change your life, help those around you who need it.
“He who dies with the dirtiest towel wins.” Jesus said, then he lived it. If we want our live to have meaning and to make a difference we have to make sure we do our best to get dirty. After all, the only thing that truly lives on after us is what we do for others. Follow the example of Christ and do all you can for others.