"He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a
towel and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin,
and began to wash the disciples' feet."--John, xiii. 4, 5.
What a matchless picture of humility! At the very moment when His throne
was in view; angel-anthems floating in His ear; the hour come "when He
was to depart out of this world;" possessing a lofty consciousness of
His peerless dignity, that "He came _from_ God and went _to_ God;" THEN
"Jesus took a towel, and girded Himself, and began to wash the
disciples' feet!" All heaven was ready at that moment to cast their
combined crowns at His feet. But the High and the Lofty One, inhabiting
eternity, is on earth "as one that serveth!" "That _infinite stoop_! it
sinks all creature humiliation to nothing, and renders it impossible for
a creature to _humble_ himself."--(_Evans_).
Humility follows Him, from His unhonored birthplace to His borrowed
grave. It throws a subdued splendor over all He did. "The poor in
spirit,"--the "mourner,"--the "meek,"--claim His first beatitudes. He
was severe only to one class--those who looked down upon others. However
He is employed; whether performing His works of miraculous power, or
receiving angel-visitants, or taking little children in His arms, He
stands forth "clothed with humility." Nay, this humility becomes more
conspicuous as He draws nearer glory. Before His death, He calls His
disciples "_Friends_;" subsequently, it is "_Brethren_," "_Children_."
How sad the contrast between the Master and His disciples! Two hours had
not elapsed after He washed their feet, when "there was a strife among
them which should be the greatest!"
Let the mental image of that lowly Redeemer be ever bending over us.
His example may well speak in silent impressiveness, bringing us down
from our pedestal of pride. There surely can be no labor of love too
humiliating when _He_ stooped so low. Let us be content to take the
humblest place; not envious of the success or exaltation of another;
not, "like Diotrephes, loving preëminence;" "but willing to be thought
little of;" saying with the Baptist, with our eye on our Lord, "He must
increase, but I must decrease!"
How much we have cause to be humble for! the constant cleaving of
defilement to our souls; and even what is partially good in us, how
mixed with imperfection, self-seeking, arrogance, vain-glory! A proud
Christian is a contradiction in terms. The Seraphim of old (type of the
Christian Church, and of believers) had six wings--_two_ were for
errands of love, but "with _four_ he _covered_ himself!" It has been
beautifully said, "You lie nearest the River of Life when you _bend_ to
it; you can not drink, but as you _stoop_." The corn of the field, as
it ripens, bows its head; so the Christian, as he ripens in the Divine
life, bends in this lowly grace. Christ speaks of His people as
"lilies"--they are "lilies of _the valley_," they can only grow in the
shade!
"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God." "Go" with what
Rutherford calls "a low sail." It is the livery of your blessed Master;
the family badge--the family likeness. "With this man will I dwell, even
with him that is _humble_." Yes! the humble, sanctified heart is God's
_second Heaven_!
"ARM YOURSELVES LIKEWISE WITH THE SAME MIND."
Eighteenth Day.