Humility

Today's NT reading is chapter 13 of John. John 13-17 is our Lord's 'farewell message' to His beloved disciples, concluding with His intercessory prayer for them and for us. At this moment, Luke's Gospel tells us that His disciples were bickering and arguing among themselves concerning who's the greatest. Jesus knew that there was a competitive spirit in their hearts so He gave them an unforgettable lesson in humility. It would be an object lesson they would never forget. Jesus took a towel and girded himself, 13:4 says. Think about that. The Father had put all things into the Son's hands, yet Jesus picked up a towel and a basin and began washing their feet. This was the job of the house slave. Words can't describe. Jesus was the Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant. He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up a towel. He was Lord and Master, yet He served His followers. It has been well said that humility is not thinking meanly of yourself; it is simply not thinking of yourself at all! True humility grows out of our relationship with the Father.

"Today we, just like the disciples that night, desperately need this lesson on humility. The church is filled with a worldly spirit of competition and criticism as believers vie with one another to see who is the greatest." [Wiersbe, p.345] We are growing in knowledge, but not in grace (see 2 Peter 3:18). Andrew Murray said, "Humility is the only soil in which the graces root." And he went on to say, "The lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure." Are we greater than our Lord? No. Then let us "do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each [of us] esteem others better than himself. Let's....look out not only for [our own] interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil.2:3-4.