It did not compute. Nope, didn’t make sense. Try as he might, Peter couldn’t wrap his head around Jesus wrapping the towel around.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”

(John 13:3-6 ESV)

Jesus knew Himself, He knew who He was. That He was in charge of everything. That He had come from the source of glory and would soon return to the fullness of glory. He knew what was to befall Him in but a few short hours and that prayer-born preparation would soon need to be made for Himself in order to drink the cup appointed for Him. But in this moment, He would love His own, and “He loved them to the end” (Jn. 13:1).

And so, just as He had laid aside His unearthly glory some thirty-three years earlier (Php. 2:6-7), this night He laid aside His inglorious earthly robe and lowered Himself again a notch. He took a towel, tied it around His waist, poured water into a basin, and Jesus — the king of Kings and the Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16), the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Col. 1:16-17), the Fullness of deity in bodily form (Col. 2:9) — bowed Himself at the dirty toes of His creation.

And Peter said, “Lord, do You wash my feet?”

Pause. Full stop. Lord, do You wash my feet?

Chew on that for a bit and you’re full! What more can be taken in?

Lord, do You . . . ?

Do You come as God in flesh? Do You come as the Lamb of God? Do You come as the Good Shepherd? Do You come and call me friend?

Do You love me with an unbounded, unending love? Do You view me as part of Your spotless, unblemished bride?

Do You bear the debt of sin I could never repay? Do You clothe me in Your righteousness which I could never deserve?

Do You abide in me, really? Do You perfect me, perfectly? Do You claim me as Your own wholly and eternally?

Lord, do You . . . ?

Chew on that.

Be filled with His grace. Be free to give Him the glory.