Article August 12, 1967 Issue

Humility with Dignity

EDGAR F. WRIGHT

John was the only disciple who recorded Christ Jesus' outstanding act of true humility, the washing of his disciples' feet. "He riseth from supper," wrote the beloved disciple, "and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself."^{John 13:4;}

Jesus was well aware that the towel was the mark of a slave, by whom foot washing was ordinarily performed. But he was fully conscious of his own dignity and of the true humility he was expressing by this dramatic act. Dissension and self-seeking among his disciples needed a strong rebuke. The work upon which they would soon embark after he had left them required expert guidance. Peter's refusal, at first, to permit the washing of his feet, clearly showed his literal interpretation of the act. It required the Master's gentle rebuke to awaken his thought to its spiritual significance.

Peter must have listened with repentant awe when Jesus sat down and said: "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."^{vv. 13-15;}

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