The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-08-07
JESUS EXAMPLE, OLE HUMILITY.

$40 JESUS was reclining with. his disci-
Piles to partake with them for the last time
of the Passover Supper. He had listened to
their heated controversy respecting their rel
alive rank, in which none of them seemed
willing to confess themselves the humblest
of ALL or to assume the duty of servants of
the little company. He discoursed to them
concerning the dignity of service, and illus
trated his teaching by reference to ban
quet: (Which is the greater" he asks, che
that reclines or he that serves? Is not he that
reclines? But l am among you as he that
serves" None appearing willing to perform
the needed service, JESUS rises from the
couch, or divan, upon which he reclined, and
after properly clothing himself as a servant,
proceeds to wash the feet of the disciples.
Then Peters pride begins to infame He
appears in this scene the same impulsive
and wilful Peter that is characterized else
where in the New Testament history. When
the Saviour came to him he excams with
amazement, "LoRD, dost thou wash my feet!"
JESUS replied with a far reaching sentiment,
''What do thou knowest not now, but here
after thou shalt know" He should come to
have a clear perception of the nature of
CHRIsT's kingdom and of true humility and
its consequent dignity, by and by. The i'm
pulsive disciple retorts, perhaps feeling the
implied rebuke, perhaps fancying incon-
gruity with the relation of Master and dis
ciple, Thou shalt neUe1 wash my feet" His
pride could not then understand CHRIsT's
humility. The Saviour cautions him: "Un-
less l wash thee thou hast no part with me-"
Not that the washing OF Peters feet had
magical power, but there needed to be a com
plete submission of Peters will to that of his
LoRD's in order to have perfect fellowship
with him. Not for all the world would Peter
lose the fellowship of his Master. He would
be washed by him as a child, if necessary.
So, pricing the companionship of JESUS, he
now goes to the other extreme of impetuosity
| and holly exclaims, lord, not only my feet,
but my head and my hands also" But he
thai had already bathed needed upon such an
occasion only to have his soiled feet ceansed.
| Besides, as a symbol of humility to wash the
feet was sufficiently significant.
40, IL Declaring to Peter that upon
cleansing the feet they were wholly clean,
| spiritual purity is suggested to the mind of
JESUS and he added, Eye are clean, but not
| ALL He referred to Judas, who was to be-
tray him, and whose heart was foul with ava
rice, anger and treachery. But though JESUS
knew that "Satan" had put evil in Judas's
heart, he did not omit him in the testimony
of his love. And if we may trust in the
reverent thought of the writer to the He
brews xii. 81 that JESUS CHRIST is ''the same
yesterday, to-day, and forever" that love
survived even the apostate disciples assault
| upon it, and will triumph in its patient and
| persistent effect for his redemption. He
was one of JESUS town." whom he loved
and will continue to love to the uttermost.
or, we believe, till his love is secured in
| return.
! Q2-17) After JESUS had washed their feet
and taken his garments and reclned again,
| he resumed his didactic discourse, and by in
terrogation, declaration and hypothesis he
| pressed home upon their consciences the
great lesson of duty and humility. eff l.
then, your Lord and Master have washed
your feet, ye ought to wash one another's
feet. For have given you an example that
We should do as | have done to you" You
ought to serve one another even as / have
served you. If ye know these things,
blessed are We if ye do them" The disciples
were ambitious for distinction. JESUS gained
his title Lord of APP because he humbled
himself, taking the form of a servant. For
this "God hath highly exalted him and given
him a name (title) which is above every
name philippians ii. 81. Similarly the
| Apostles were to be elevated to distinction
and upon thrones through their humility and
self-denying service Matt. xiv. 28). No
| greatness of endowment whether of wealth
or power, of genius, or of social position,
justifes pride or vanity, or the spirit of ex-
clusiveness; and the more abundant the spir-
itual life, the deeper will be the humility.
and the warmer the love of mankind
The Son of GoD with his grand endow-
ment (of) power condescended through his
grand endowment of (love) to mental
SO vice, to illustrate the worth of loving
he'pfuluess, and meek and humble spirit.
And he enioined upon the wondering dis
ciples the imitation of himself For a sea
son in the Church literal obedience was
maintained. In few hundred years it was
reduced to show, once year the Pope
washing the feet of twelve poor men selected