Humility in action
Day 681, Tuesday, June 23
John 12:12 – 13:17
I’ve often heard it said that our actions speak louder than our words. I don’t know if the same would apply to Jesus for one remarkable reason: his actions and his words always said the same thing.
As the fateful night that would see his betrayal and arrest began, he lived and spoke one of the greatest examples of humility the world has ever seen. As he and his disciples gathered for the meal, he knelt down and washed their feet.
Footwashing itself was common enough in that day. The roads were dusty or muddy depending on the weather and were shared with animals. Sandals offered some protection from stones, but did little to keep the feet clean. Just as many cultures today remove shoes upon entering a home to keep the outside filth outside, washing feet upon entering did the same.
What was remarkable is that Jesus was the one doing it. It was a dirty, humiliating task usually reserved for the lowest servants. As he did so often, Jesus turned convention upside down.
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
His humility wasn’t false or exagerated. He didn’t disclaim the legitimate status implied by the titles “teacher” and “lord.” What he did was to redefine that leading required serving.
In 13:16 Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Hierarchy is replaced with humility. Status is shown to require service.
We are called to follow Jesus in all things. We are called to teach and preach with the courage he showed, and to serve with the humility he showed. As Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-28, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Tuesday meditation
Psalms 148:1-14
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever—he issued a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the Lord.
Prayer focus
Grant us the wisdom to lead and the humility to serve.