(Audio)
Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
Jesus just came from washing the disciples feet. He was greater than the disciples yet he chose to serve them.
Because Jesus is master and LORD and yet humbled himself to serve his subjects how much more must we be humble, both before our LORD and master and before our brothers and sisters.
John the Baptist understood.
What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.
How surprised John would have been to have his feet washed by the one who he knew to be so much greater than himself? In our humility and our service we are called to imitate this shocking self-abasement of Jesus.
Where does our humility begin? This is perhaps the greatest lesson for us today. It begins when we allow Jesus to wash our feet. It does not begin by our own work or effort. Our humility comes as a gift of the incarnation. Because Jesus joins his divinity with humanity the ultimate act of humility was already done. We are joined to it in baptism. We must choose to live it and embrace it moment to moment.
From now on I am telling you before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe that I AM.
Jesus helps us to plan for the things that will be asked of us. We need to turn to him first as our example and guide. When we remember to begin from the one who is we find ourselves beginning to live the victorious life he died to give.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
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