Where's that towel?

I have read this passage hundreds, if not thousands of times before. John 13 where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. I have even re-enacted the event for youth classes to demonstrated servanthood to teens. I've used it in Men's retreats to teach our men to be servants. And yet I had missed something so clear!

Mark's gospel tells us that after Jesus' anointing at Bethany, and before the Passover meal, Judas went to the chief priests to betray Jesus. John's gospel tells us it was "during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son to betray him."

After that Jesus rose from supper and began to wash the disciples' feet. All the disciples' feet. This means he even washed Judas' feet. Knowing that Judas was going to betray him, knowing the kind of man Judas was, knowing the very heart of Judas, Jesus still washed his feet.

And then he told his disciples, "I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done."

Serving those who will betray us. Serving those who hurt us. Serving those who hate us. Loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us. Loving our enemies and doing good. Lending without expecting anything in return. Being kind to the ungrateful and the evil, just as the Most High is kind. Being merciful, even as our Father is merciful. (Lk. 6:27-36)

I've got a couple of Judas' in my life. People who have betrayed me, hurt me, become my enemies.

Now where's that towel?