William Temple (an English pastor & Archbishop of Canterbury), in writing about humility and service, makes a very insightful observation. He observes that for Jesus, humility began with his service to others. However, for most human beings, humility needs to begin with the readiness to receive service from others.
While this might not make any sense at first, Temple goes on to explain that “there can be much pride and condescension in our giving of service”. However, when we are willing to receive service from others and from God, we acknowledge that we have at least some measure of dependence on others (and especially on God!). In this acknowledgement is true humility found.
Just in case we should misunderstand, though, Temple clarifies that he is not talking about “parasitic dependence on others” where we contribute nothing. Instead, he writes:
Those who are doing their share of the world’s work should have no hesitation in receiving what the love or generosity or pity of others may offer. The desire “not to be beholden to anybody” is completely unchristian (Quotes are from Readings in St. John’s Gospel, found in For All the Saints, Vol. I, p. 794).
When we think about it, Jesus, too, was willing both to give and to receive service. His humility is perhaps most dramatically revealed in the events that we remember during Holy Week, and especially in his washing of the feet of his disciples. Jesus willingly took on the role of a servant, setting an example for his disciples and for us – that we also should wash one another’s feet (Jn. 13). As you think about this, which is easier for you? – to wash somebody else’s feet, or to allow somebody to wash your feet? My suspicion is that more would be okay with doing the washing than allowing themselves to be washed!
However, do you recall how Jesus also received service from others? In Luke 7:36-50, a woman washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, dries them with her hair and then anoints them with ointment. Others complain that the woman is a sinner and that Jesus shouldn’t be allowing her to touch him. However, Jesus accepts her offering of service to him and announces that she is forgiven! Jesus’ humility shows through in his willingness to accept what this woman has to offer.
When Maundy Thursday rolls around, we will have the opportunity to – quite literally – wash one another’s feet. It is an opportunity to put into practice Jesus’ example of humble service, as well as Jesus’ example of receiving service from others. While this is, of course, in a ritual setting, it still reminds us not only of how Jesus offered himself for us, but of how we are also called to offer ourselves to God and to one another.
As Christians, we learn that we are not self-sufficient and that we really are “beholden” to somebody in a big way, for our salvation is a gift through Jesus Christ. Let us also, then, learn humility, and learn that it really is okay to receive, as well as to give.
In Christ,
Pastor Lynne Hutchison
