IS HUMILITY A SIGN OF WEAKNESS OR STRENGTH?

SCRIPTURE:
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ 
feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 
(John 13:5)

MEDITATION:
Israel was a dusty place 
causing the sandaled feet of the people to get filthy. 
In ancient times, 
a person entering a home removed his sandals and cleaned his feet.
 
Or if the homeowners were wealthy, 
servants would do the washing of their feet. 
This distasteful, but necessary task, 
was performed by the worker of lowest position in the household.

Imagine the disciples’ surprise when the Son of God 
put Himself in the role of a lowly servant and knelt to wash their feet. 
The need for this cleansing was great, 
since they had been traveling for some time. 
But not one of them offered to do it, only Jesus stepped forward.

Jesus did more than fill a need; He gave them (and us) an object lesson. 
As He explained, 
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” 
(John 13:15) 

Some churches have incorrectly interpreted this 
as a command to make foot washing an ordinance. 
By doing this, they are cleaning the skin of someone else, 
but are not contemplating the significance of Christ’s actions.

In fact, the act itself is not the main point; attitude is what counts. 
Jesus wants us to be willing to humble ourselves in serving others. 
He is looking for men and women who will ignore pride, position, and power 
in order to do whatever must be done, wherever it needs to be done, 
whenever it needs to be done, and for whoever requires assistance.

Jesus performed His greatest and most humble acts of service 
within 24 hours of each other. 
He washed dirty feet using His two hands 
that would be pierced by nails in less than a day. 
The message here is that every task God gives us is important to His kingdom.

ACTION:
What task has God called you to do?
Have you humbled yourself in the same manner of Jesus?
You may have a desire for God to call you to a task 
that will garner a lot of recognition from others.
But remember, no matter what He has called you to do, Jesus 
set the example for becoming humble as part of obeying the Father.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for considering me valuable enough to perform 
tasks as part of Your earthly ministry team. Teach me to be grateful 
regardless of what You call me to do. Remind me that You have called me to 
do something to please You, and not to be motivated to serve You in order 
to please myself. Help me to replace my selfishness with the humility of 
Jesus. Assist me in realizing how strong a person has to be in order to 
become humble, and that humbleness is not an indication of weakness, 
but of strength.”