Let us read from John 13:14,15 “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” This incident happened at Jesus’ last supper. The humility of Jesus is displayed in this act of washing the disciples feet. This humility is shown by taking care of His brothers. If we want to have the nature of Jesus to take care of our brothers’ needs, we too need humility.
In Mathew 20 we read how the mother of the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus if her sons could be seated at His side in the Kingdom. Jesus made it clear to her that it was up to the Father to decide where each one should be seated. Jesus then shared the mystery of humility in verse 26, 27, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave”. In the Kingdom of God the one who wishes to be great shall be the servant. Jesus took this attitude of a servant to serve. In 2 Corinthians 8:9 we read, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” We read in the beginning of this chapter the generous attitude of serving in the church of Macedonia even in the times of difficulties. They took on the attitude of Jesus. When we go through afflictions, can we still serve our brothers? In verse 5 we read, “they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.” The brothers in Macedonia gave themselves first to the Lord and this helped them to give to their fellow brothers while staying always in the will of God. They gave generously with joy. Whatever tribulations you are going through, first submit to the Lord and then offer help.
In Philippians 2:5-7 we read, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” This attitude of a servant that Jesus showed us is what we are called to have. Jesus became obedient even to the point of death on a cross. In Hebrews 5 we read that Jesus learnt obedience in the things he suffered. In Hebrews 12 we read that Jesus endured the cross and despised the shame with joy because he knew what was set before Him. When we go through these verses we can understand the suffering of pitting His flesh to death by obeying His Father daily. Without this same attitude, we won’t be able to follow his example to wash our brothers’ feet. In Acts 20:35 we read, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ This was what Paul wanted to remind the Ephesian Christians. We need to have this attitude to help each other with the attitude of Jesus. In Romans 12:10 we read, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor” and in verse 16 we read, “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation”. Without sincere love, we can’t serve our brothers. In Romans 15:1 we read, “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves”. There is always a tendency in our lives to please ourselves and not care for others. But these verses give us clear instructions as to what the Lord desires from us.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 we read Paul’s attitude. He says, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” Paul took this attitude so that he could win them for Christ. In Galatians 5:13 we read, “through love serve one another”. In Philippians 2 we are encouraged to consider others more important than ourselves. This is the way that Jesus went and we are encouraged to follow in His footsteps. We are to put our will to death, clothe ourselves with humility and follow the attitude of Jesus and serve our fellow brothers. Let us learn from Jesus example to do the will of the Father always. In Romans 15:5 we read, “Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus” and in Ephesians 5:1,2 we read, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma”. This is the example that we are called to follow. Even in our sufferings, we have Jesus to look to, to serve our brothers. In 1 John 2:6 we read that we have to walk in the same manner that Jesus has walked. Let us seek to have this attitude – to care for our brothers and to have a humble heart. May God bless us all.
