The Spirit That Stoops to Serve


He rose from the table, laid aside his robe, and tied a towel round him, then poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples.--John 13: 4 (Moffatt).

What a stoop it was when the Lord and Master stooped down to wash the feet of those Galilean rustics who made up the band of His disciples! Here is an example of what He wants of us who bear His name--the spirit of humility, the spirit that stoops to serve.

The disciples needed that ministry of cleansing. There was dust to be washed from their feet, that and much more. Their minds and hearts needed cleansing.

Looking back on the scene, if we are honest with ourselves, we shall see that the first need of man in the presence of God is to be cleansed. Our feet, like the feet of the disciples, are dusty with the road, the road of everyday life. Our minds, too, and our hearts need to be cleansed--cleansed from the dust of selfishness, the dust of pride, the world's dust. And it is only Christ who can do for us what in beautiful symbol He did for His disciples long ago.

Let us imagine ourselves in that upper room where the Master and His disciples are gathered. We see the Master rise from the table, lay aside His robe, and tie a towel round Him. We hear the pleasant sound of running water. The basin is filled. We see the service of cleansing. As we watch the service to its close, we feel as did George Bethun: “O blessed Jesus, when I see Thee bending, Girt as a servant, at Thy servants' feet, To wash their dust away, and make them meet To share Thy feast, I know not to adore, Whether Thy humbleness or glory more.”

With what shattering effect this scene rebukes our pride and vanity!

Looking back on the scene, we cannot fail to see the beauty of humility, the greatness of the spirit that stoops to serve.

I think Peter was seeing again, in his mind’s eye, the Master with the towel tied round Him, when he wrote the Christian brotherhood, “You must all put on the apron of humility to serve one another” (I Pet. 5: 5, Moffatt).

“More like the Master I would ever be, more of His meekness, more of His humility, more of His spirit, the wanderer to win. More of His love to others I would show. Purge me from sin, O Lord, wash me and keep me Thine forevermore” (Hymn).