Spirit-Living Devotional
Apostle Osborn
THE WAY OF HUMILITY
[[Joh 13:4, 5]] KJV He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
*After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
In the above, Jesus demonstrates great humility before His followers. He poured water into a bason. This was the office of the meanest slaves. When David sent to Abigail, to inform her that he had chosen her for wife, she arose and said: Behold, let thy handmaid be a SERVANT, to WASH the FEET of the SERVANTS of my lord *(1Sam 25:41).
The Master humbled Himself. The pride and arrogance in our churches today is alarming. Jesus’ position almost is in sharp contrast with our disposition of leadership today: we MUST be served.
Jesus laid aside his garments. That is, his gown or upper coat, with the girdle wherewith it was girded close to his tunic or under coat; and, instead of this girdle, he tied a towel about Him: 1. that He might appear in the character of a servant; and 2. that He might have it in readiness to dry their feet after He had washed them. In the same spirit, we MUST be willing to serve others.
We must cast off our garments. We must be ready and willing to put away our pedigree and cultivate the humility and dignity to bow low and serve others no matter who they may be. This is the spirit of the Master.
The Master washed even the feet of Judas to inspire him with sentiments of compunction and remorse, to melt him down with kindness, and to show all his disciples how they should act towards their enemies In Christ, we have a different lifestyle: the lifestyle of the Servant-king. We are kings only because we are willing to serve.
We must always remember that we may be leaders, not because we earned it but just because grace found us. And grace must make us willing to go lower than the grass. Let us strip ourselves of ‘Self’ and selflessly serve others. This is the way of the Master.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your word today. I receive the humility and meekness to serve others and to demonstrate the character of my Lord to my world in Jesus’ name. Amen.
