in John 13:1-17, Jesus provided an object lesson for the disciples that demonstrated forgiveness and humble service to others.

2. Jesus was under great pressure, knowing He was about to be betrayed and suffer crucifixion (Matt. 26:37-38); yet, He kept focus and demonstrated love, humility, clear teaching, prayer, and submission to God during His final hours leading up to the cross.

3. Jesus willingly laid aside His garments and put on the garments of a slave to teach humility. No one forced Jesus into service, but rather, He humbled Himself and became the servant of others (Mark 10:45; Philip. 2:3-8). Laying aside His garments and taking the towel of a humble servant was analogous to God the Son coming into the world and taking upon Himself humanity. The Christian learns humility by looking to Christ.

4. Jesus' object lesson is a picture of forgiveness and humble service to the undeserving. Jesus stated to His disciples, "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13:14). Here, the Lord instructed His disciples to forgive and humbly serve each other (cf. Philip. 2:3-4; Col. 3:12-13; 1 Pet. 5:5).

5. In relation to God, Christian humility is not a sense of worthlessness, but unworthiness of the Lord's love and blessings (Rom. 5:6-10; Eph. 2:8-9). In relation to others, humility is not thinking less of self, but more of those around you (Philip. 2:3-4). True Christian humility is self-imposed, whereby the believer surrenders his will to accomplish the will of God in loving service to others for their spiritual and physical benefit.