Between Bread and Betrayal

The hour was coming, His time was drawing near,

The Lord of Heaven, whom the angels revere

Rose from their meal, with humble grace

And tied a towel around his waist.

With a desire to serve, and a towel tied tight

The King of Kings stooped low that night.

The basin filled with water cool and clear,

They had no idea the end was so near.

Shocked, Peter resisted, “But, You are my Lord.”  

Jesus replied he would miss the grace that was poured.

Peter’s pride resisted such a humble deed.

He didn’t understand Jesus planted a holy seed.

"Then wash my hands, my head!" came Peter's cry,

To receive the grace of Jesus he could not deny.

"One who is bathed needs only their feet made clean,”

They knelt between bread and betrayal in this twilight scene.

From man to man the Savior quietly moved,

Following the path of serving which Heaven approved

Each foot was cleansed by love's redeeming hand.

Modeling what He taught: the love command.

"Do you know what I've done?" He asked them all.

I have served you, heeding heaven's call.

"No servant greater than his master stands,

Now wash each other's feet with willing hands.”

He loved them so well to the very end,

He was their Teacher, their Lord, and their Friend.

Kingship in God's realm turns things upside down.  

In kneeling low, true majesty is found.

This poem is inspired by John 13:1–17 and reflects the heart of the passage. While some quotes within the poem are not direct scriptural citations, they were written to convey the essence of what was spoken and felt in that sacred moment. Creative liberties were taken to honor the spirit and message of the Scripture through poetic form.