It Ain't About You! - Mt Zion Baptist Church

Today, I want to call you back, in crystal-clear terms, to servant leadership. As we continue our year-long journey of Fixing What’s Broken to Build Back Better, we return to the powerful moment in John 13 — where Jesus picked up a towel and laid down every excuse we have for not serving one another.

When Jesus picked up a towel, He laid down our excuses.

Before the cross, before the crown, before the triumph of resurrection — Jesus picked up a towel and washed dirty, sweaty, worn-out feet. And in doing so, He confronted one of the greatest obstacles to spiritual growth, unity, and Kingdom impact: ourselves.

“It ain’t about you — it’s all about Him.”

The Shocking Scene in the Upper Room

John writes, “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). Knowing betrayal was coming, knowing the cross was near, Jesus did something no one expected from the King of Glory: He washed feet.

The Alpha and Omega… washing feet.
Not a crown.
Not a throne.
A towel.

Somewhere along the way, modern ministry lost the shock of that moment. We’ve made serving optional. We’ve made Christianity about comfort, image, influence, and personal preference. We’ve subtly shifted the spotlight from Christ to ourselves.

The gospel is not a stage for our glory; it’s a spotlight on His grace.

1. We’ve Made Our Pain Personal

Verse 2 reminds us that Judas was already preparing to betray Jesus (John 13:2). Jesus knew the betrayal was coming — and still, He washed Judas’s feet.

When we’re wounded, we make it personal. We rehearse the hurt. We build walls. We let old injuries become part of our identity. But when pain becomes personal, healing becomes impossible.

Your scars aren’t meant to showcase your suffering — they’re meant to showcase His grace.

2. We’ve Made Our Problems Private

Peter resisted Jesus: “Thou shalt never wash my feet” (John 13:8). His problem wasn’t humility — it was fear of vulnerability.

Today, we hide our brokenness behind smiles and Sunday clothes. But Jesus made it clear: “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Transparency isn’t optional in the Kingdom — it’s essential.

The church doesn’t need polished people. It needs honest people who know they need Jesus.

3. We’ve Made Our Purpose Petty

After washing their feet, Jesus asked, “Know ye what I have done to you?” (John 13:12).

Today, many chase titles over towels — recognition over responsibility. We shrink our calling down to the size of our ego. But Jesus didn’t call us to be noticed. He called us to serve.

God didn’t call you to be famous — He called you to be faithful.

Small purposes produce small people, and small people produce small churches.

The Ultimate Example: Calvary

On the cross, Jesus gave the clearest picture of servant leadership. He could have called angels. He could have stopped the suffering. But instead, He surrendered.

“Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34).

Every drop of blood declared: your salvation mattered more than His comfort.

True greatness is never measured by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve.

A Call to the Altar: Repentance, Recommitment, Renewal

Today, God is calling us back to the towel.

Repentance

Turn from making ministry about yourself — your comfort, your preferences, your image.

Recommitment

Choose towels over titles. Choose service over spotlight.

Renewal

Let God restore the joy of humble service. If hurt has hardened you, if pride has blinded you, if ambition has distracted you — come to the altar.

“Lord, it ain’t about me — it’s all about You.”

May God restore in us the heart of a servant.

Want to listen to the original message? Watch Pastor Lauderdale’s Dec 7, 2025 message titled It Ain’t About You.

It Ain’t About You!