AUG 24

John 13:12-17
Memorise John 13:15
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Soon after the Last Supper, Jesus would suffer the greatest humiliation at Calvary. We must realise that no one can ever replicate the degree of humiliation that Christ faced, for though perhaps some men in history have been tortured or otherwise shamefully treated the way Christ was, none of these men possessed the high status of God the Son to begin with. Yet now in the washing of His disciples’ feet, we see Christ setting the example in humility of service. The washing of feet was the duty of slaves, and was considered so demeaning that Peter objected to Jesus doing it to him. After Christ had washed the feet of all the disciples, He explained “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15). Jesus as Lord and Master did the work of a slave, to emphasize to His disciples that in their future ministry as Apostles, they must likewise be humble in service.

Jesus knew it was very possible for the disciples as well as ourselves that while we might be willing to serve others, there may be limits to the extent we are willing to serve when we think it too demeaning to us. Every camp, some teens are unwilling to bring the rubbish bag full of food waste to the rubbish point for fear the bag will break and they have to use their bare hands to clean up the mess. Every time the nativity play is performed, most teens are reluctant to play the flock of sheep led by shepherds. Some teens never wash the toilet bowl when it is dirty whether in church or at home, and always assume that someone else will do it! Do you likewise place a limit on your humility in service? I pray that you realise our Lord and Master Jesus Christ set no such limits. He suffered the greatest humiliation known to mankind so that you and I might be saved from our sins. Is there any humiliation that you are unwilling to bear for Him in return? None of us are greater than our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, we are so unworthy compared to Him. Why then do we have any cause to be proud? May we do our best to serve Him in meekness and humility.

Thought: Be thankful that the Son of God set no limits on His humility.
Prayer: May I be truly humble in service as Christ was.