In light of everything that is going on in our country, it’s essential that as followers of Christ we remember the importance of responding with humility. We see what true humility looks like from the example of Christ in John 13 as Christ washes the feet of his disciples. After washing their feet, he says, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:12b-17) Christ gives his disciples the imperative to follow his example of humility.
What a paradox we have here—the infinite omniscient creator washing the feet of the finite creation. The paradox is even greater when we understand the cultural & historical context. The disciples were traveling along the road; thus their feet would have been dirty as the roads were covered by a layer of dust or mud. At the entrance to many of the homes was a pot of water meant for washing feet—a job that was typically done by the lowliest slave. This shouldn’t surprise us if we know our New Testament. After all, we know from Philippians 2 that this is precisely the worldly status Christ entered into in his incarnation. The Son of God left the eternal glories of heaven and entered into the form of a slave, the lowest possible form of servitude. Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords, was doing a task that was far beneath the status of his beloved disciples. The imperative given to the disciples to follow the example of Christ stands true for us today. As you may be entering into various dialogues regarding the state of this nation, be reminded of the example of Christ in order that you may then be an example to others. Christian, seek humility as Christ your savior was the supreme example of humility on your behalf.