DCLM Daily Manna 2024: DCLM Daily Manna 5 December 2024: A Lesson on Humility
Text: John 13:1-15 (KJV)
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 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.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter*.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never** wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not* save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as* I have done to you.
KEY VERSE: John 13:14
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
D.L. Moody was the most famous evangelist in the world in the late 19th Century. A large group of European pastors attended his Bible Conference one year. They were given rooms in the dormitory of the Bible school. As was the custom in Europe, the men put their shoes outside the door of their room, expecting them to be cleaned and polished by servants during the night. Of course, no servants were in the American dorm, but as Moody walked through the halls, he saw the shoes and realised what had happened. He mentioned the problem to a few of his students, but none offered to help. Without another word, the great evangelist gathered up the shoes and took them to his room, where he began cleaning and polishing each pair.
Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Initially, Peter was not comfortable with the Master washing his feet, but later accepted when he realised the consequence. At last, the disciples learned that the Master wanted them to serve one another and avoid all forms of pride. Even by His condescending to die for the sins of humanity and His choice of disciples – poor and uneducated fishermen – are all examples of His life of humility.
There is a difference between a boss and a team leader. The boss gives commands and expects obedience while the team leader leads by example. There is so much ecclesiastical pride in churches today. We see pride in the carriage of many so-called men of God. People bow and cringe before them and they love it that way.
We can learn from Christ, who, even when He was to be arrested, required an insider to point Him out from the group. May this lesson prompt us to put away pride and live humbly.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Love and humility inspire followership.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 13-17
Daily Manna 5 December 2024
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