Articles
Not Just Humility
Many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples (Jn. 13:5). There is no question that this was a lesson on humility. Christ even stated here, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (Jn. 13:15-15). Those who will not humble themselves will not be exalted by the Lord (Lk. 14:11).
However, there is another great lesson that is taught by considering what we read prior to Christ washing the feet. Earlier in the chapter, beginning in verse 3, it states, “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (vr. 3-5).
The great lesson here might not be as obvious as the one on humility. But we must note that Christ and His disciples had gathered for the feast of the Passover (vr. 1). We also need to know that the supper had already ended (vr. 2). So, what does all this mean? It means that there was plenty of time for someone else to jump in and do what needed to be done. Godly people look for opportunities to do things and then they do it. They don’t have to wait to be told.
This ought to remind us of Jesus’ words to the Pharisee that invited Him into his home. After a sinful woman came in and washed the Lord’s feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head (Lk. 7:36-38), the Pharisee thought to himself whether Jesus was a prophet for accepting the sinful woman’s behavior. Christ quickly set this man straight. The Savior told him, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in” (Lk. 7:44-45).
There was plenty of time for that Pharisee to not only show His humility but to also jump in and do what should have been done. When the Lord rose to wash the feet of His disciples, not only would one think, “It should be me washing His feet”, but what is also important to think, “Oh, I should have offered to do that earlier when I saw no one else had done it.”
When it is announced someone is at home sick, do you check if they are okay or in need of something? If it is announced that we have visitors for church services, do you make it a point to make sure you welcome them? When you look at the list of duties for the men and notice someone is not there, do you quickly offer your services? This list can go on and on.
There is a direct link between being humble and jumping in and offering to do things that need to get done. But can doing things actually be the opposite of humility? I mean, was Jesus washing the feet to brag that He was being humble? No way. It’s not like Jesus got up and said, “Well, since no one else is going to do this, I guess I will.” This idea of going out of our way to do things that need to get done without complaining or thinking it is beneath us is a true sign of humility.
Let me close this article with one final thought. Let us not lose our humility when someone else is being humble. The worst thing we can do when we see someone jump in to do something is to belittle what they are doing, thinking, “Well, it was about time someone did that!” Think about it.
