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Humble Hero
God does not live for Himself. He is constantly meeting the
needs of others. Jesus was given to stand at the head of humanity so
that by His example He could teach what it means to minister. He
served all, ministered to all. In this way He lived the law of God and
showed by His example how we are to obey it.
Having washed the disciples’ feet, Jesus said, “I have given you
an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” In these
words Christ was establishing a religious service. The act of our
Lord made this humbling ceremony a holy ordinance. The disciples
were to observe it, so that they would always keep in mind His
lessons of humility and service.
This ordinance is Christ’s appointed preparation for the Com-
munion service. While we cherish pride, divisiveness, and strife for
supremacy, we are not prepared to receive the communion of His
body and His blood. Therefore Jesus appointed the memorial of His
humiliation for us to observe first.
In the human heart there is a disposition to think of ourselves
more highly than our brother, to work for self, to seek the highest
place. Often this results in evil suspicions and bitterness. The service
preceding the Lord’s Supper is to bring us out of our selfishness,
down from self-exaltation to the humility of heart that will lead us to
serve our brother or sister. The Holy Watcher from heaven is present
to make this occasion a time of heart searching, conviction of sin,
and the assurance of sins forgiven. Christ is there to change the flow
of thoughts that have been running in selfish channels.
As we remember the Savior’s humiliation for us, a chain of
memories comes to mind, memories of God’s goodness and of the
attentions and tenderness of earthly friends. We recall blessings
forgotten and kindnesses ignored. Defects of character, neglect of
duties, ingratitude, coldness, all come to remembrance. The mind
is energized to break down every barrier that has caused division.
Sins are confessed; they are forgiven. The subduing grace of Christ
draws hearts together. We begin to desire a higher spiritual life. The
soul will be uplifted. We can partake of the Communion with the
sunshine of Christ’s righteousness filling the temple of the heart.
To those who receive the spirit of this service, it can never be-
come merely ceremonial. Whenever the children of God celebrate
this ordinance correctly, they pledge themselves to give their lives to