Jesus Set the Pattern of Humiity

"I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do this also." - JOHN 13:15.

IT IS the final night of Jesus' life on earth, and he spends it with his apostles in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem.  During the course of the evening meal, Jesus gets up and puts aside his outer garments. He girds himself with a towel.  Then he puts water into a basin and begins to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel.  He then puts on his outer garments.  Why did Jesus perform this humble act? - JOHN 13:3-5.

Jesus himself explained: "Do you know what I have done to you? .. . If, I, although Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another.  For I set the patter for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also." (John 13:123-15) By displaying a willingness  to perform such a lowly task, Jesus gave his apostles an object lesson that would be engraved on their minds and would encourage them to be humbled in the days ahead.

When Jesus washed the feet of his apostles, it was not the first time he highlighted the value of humility. On an earlier occasion when some of the apostles showed a competitive spirit, Jesus sat a young child beside him, and He told them:"Whoever receives this young child on the basis of my name receives me too and whoever receives hi also that sent me forth. For he that conducts himself as a lesser one amount all of  you is the one that is great." (Luke 9:46-48)  Aware that the Pharisees sought prominence, Jesus said later in his ministry:  "Everyone  that exalts himself will be humbled and he that humbles himself will exalted." (Luke 14:11)  Clearly, Jesus wants his followers to be humble, that is, lowly in mind and free of pride and arrogance.  With a view to imitating him, let us carefully examine his example of humility. We will also see how this quality benefits not only the one displaying it but others as well. 

Next time: Jesus Set the Patter of Humility - "I DID NOT TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION"

From the jw.org publications