The Power of Humility

 

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that phis hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 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?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:1-9 ESV).

 

Even when we consider all of the surprising things that Jesus did in his teaching and healing ministry, this scene was likely one of the most shocking so far to the people around him. At that time, it was common for a servant to wash people’s feet as they entered a home. And as we might imagine, this was an important practice of hospitality. Most people wore sandals as they walked roads covered in dust, dirt, and animal dung. So we can easily imagine how unpleasant it would be to wash someone’s feet—and that’s why it was typically done by the lowest ranking slave or servant in a household.

 

But here Jesus gives us a beautiful picture of the gospel, the good news of the kingdom of God. Washing his disciples’ feet shows God’s love for sinners in a way that mere words cannot express. This act of service gave the disciples a preview of the cross, when Jesus laid down his very life to wash our sins away.

 

But Jesus didn’t stop there. He also told his disciples to go and do the same for others. We are called to communicate the gospel through a servant lifestyle, giving of ourselves so that others may experience life. This is where the real power comes from. It is not from position. Jesus was above all of creation. It is not from ability. Jesus was preeminent in His ability, Creator of all things. It was not even the act of service itself. Jesus drew no power from His behavior. Power came from His humility (cf. Philippians 2:1-11). We should ask ourselves how God is calling us to mimic Jesus’ example. Who can you serve today?