To the Church: Humility Displayed

In John 13, Jesus sits at the Passover table with his disciples. In a striking display of humility, he moves from the table, takes a towel and a basin, and begins to wash the disciples' feet. Jesus humbles himself to a position that was only fit for lowly servants. He then states that everyone will know that we are his disciples “if you love one another” (John 13:35). What he’s saying is clear: we are supposed to love one another as He demonstrates.

The act of washing feet was a big deal in Jesus’ cultural context. It showed his posture and his care for his disciples. Thus far in this series, I’ve covered division versus reconciliation and humility being an answer to pride. This has all been largely theoretical about the church’s interaction with the world. In light of Jesus’ display, what does this all look like for you and me? How can you take on the servant’s posture and display humility to those around you?

Humility at home

Humility can show itself most profoundly in the place we are the most—in our homes among the people we live with. For example, I live with my family, so I want to humbly love them by sacrificing for their good, doing what is best for them whenever I am able. For me, that means many times I won’t be watching football, riding my motorcycle, or getting my way all the time. Often I would like to do these things more than, say, do the laundry or make dinner, but I make the conscious decision to place higher value on humbly serving than simply getting what I want. 

Humility in marriage

The same can be said in marriage. Marriage is not a relationship where you build the kingdom you want, but rather the one you build together! We need to show compromise, understanding, and respect to our spouses—we need to value the other as ourselves. What are some ways you show and communicate love to your spouse? It is important to take the time to regularly do this in every marriage. 

Humility in parenting

I think a lot about how I display humility to my kids. How am I pouring into my children as the first representatives of God in their lives? 

Developmental psychology screams the importance of presence, love, and security in relationships for our children as they grow up. The best way you can humbly love your children is by intentionally making the time and effort to demonstrate, speak, and submit to the Gospel in the way you respond to them. This is mostly a byproduct of your own walk with Christ, and kids see that.

I know that raising kids is often frustrating, exhausting, time-consuming, and simply draining. However, if we put down our agendas and make our children more important than our leisure, our work, and even ourselves, we are in a place to love them well. We can be the light to our family in the way that we lovingly prioritize them. 

Humility in the neighborhood

Tim Chester and Steve Timmis say in Total Church that the biblical community is the greatest apologetic to the outside world. It seems that this is, in part, what Jesus was teaching in John 13.

How we love our families will be seen by our friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and neighbors. This doesn’t mean you should put on a mask and act like you are a perfect loving family who follows the law of God perfectly and has no problems. It means letting people see who you really are and being real with them. This is something that many people in our superficial world are longing for. 

There are many practical ways to show love to our neighbors. Invite people over to events at your house, share a dinner with someone in need, give gifts or send cards of encouragement, show care for their children. And don’t shy away from sharing the freedom you have and where it comes from. Be a good and present neighbor! This is central to Jesus’ teaching.

The call to remain “seen”

Matthew 5 says that we are to be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (verses 14-16). For this to happen, we must remain “seen.”  We need to live with authenticity, not worrying about what everyone else thinks of us, not fearing man, but fearing God in reverence above all else. When we are humbly seen, we allow ourselves to connect with others as Christ connected with us in person.

Our Christian lives can’t be contained within the four walls of the church. That would be like covering a candle with a basket. Let your humble love shine in the unique, fearfully, and wonderfully made way you were created (Psalm 139), leading from truth rather than our brokenness. As Paul writes to the Ephesians, “For you were formerly darkness, but you are Light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Ephesians 5:8-9).

Go be light by intentionally loving others!