Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-25
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nership) with Jesus Verse 81 That ala
not signify that a little water applied 10
the feet was essential TO Peters disciple
ship. II did signify that the will OF the
apostle must submit TO the Saviors re-
quirements: otherwise there could be no
relation between them. Matt. vi;l0)
II would never do fer ones sense OF pro-
priety to be the source of disobedience
to dismiss one who afterward preached
the first post-resurrection sermon. (Acts.
HEAD Destined to lose one apostle
through treachery Matt xxvii:3). He
was willing. IL need be. TO reject another
through obstinacy. Happily Peter yield
ed, and urged taht his hands and head
also be washed. Verse % He was willing
to go beyond the Lords requirements. a
fault not uncommon in our day. But true
obedience requires only the meeting OF
the command. and Jesus replied that
what He had set out to do was all that
He should do. all that was required to
fulfill His purpose and seal His own to
Himself. Verse 10)
EXPI.AINED.-It is quite proba bic
that some one discerned the meaning OF
Christ's act, but to make IL plain to all.
having completed His task, He resumed
His seat and explained. Verse 12D We
call me master. and so 1 am He said.
desiring them TO know that He had not
relinquished His place. What He did was
not because He had abdicated His author
ity-indeed, He had reafirmed IL with
Peter He would not be esteemed less
than He had been. He would claim. as
before. complete supremacy. and that He
would make the basis of an example for
them oversees 14-15), urging them 10 do by
each other what He had done TO each.
That does not mean what some small
sects suppose, that feet-washing should
be perpetuated in the church. a practice
that might become very vulgar AMI Of
fensive under certain circumstances. II
does mean that these men. who had dis
puted about priority and greatness, and
that all Christians afterward should be
anxious to serve one another And there
sat Judas the traitor, hearing these won
derful words (verse I'D. yet cherishing his
wicked purpose against the innocent.
ENFORCED.-The virtue OF humil-
ity was thus set forth by the example
and precept of Jesus. 1t must now be
made attractive. and the disciples must
have. motives for its cultivation. No one
performs a good act or cultivates good
quality without correct ideal and a
prompting toward IL. Jesus therefore en-
forced the virtue by two important prin-
ciples. First, The servant is not greater
than his Lord Verse 49, The disci-
pie must not seek to be above his Mas
te- Matt. x:2D. Here Jesus makes him
self the pattern for all His followers.
What they see in Him they may initiate
all else they must discard. No rule could
be simpler. 1t is at all times applicable.
The study of Christ and the imitation or
Christ constitute the great business or
room is the perpetual ideal Second. con-
formity to this spirit will bring happiness.
Verse I'D Who does not know the pain
of ambition? Who among all that strive
to outstrip their fellows is at peace? But
blessed are they who serve others Games.
i:29. BY these two considerations the
disciples must have been moved. To be
like Jesus their Master to be happy,
they must humble themselves
REFLECTIONS.-See what Jesus &C.
complished by the feet washing: l. he
gave proof of His love for His disciples
love that was undiminished by their dull
ness and ambition, that included all alike.
though one had a devil. 2. He gave an
instance Of His own wonderful humility.
and showed how lowly and condescending
He was. and let all the world know how
He could stoop in love to His own. This
was the more necessary after the anoint-
ing by Mary which might have been
taken as an act Of honor. 3. He set be-
fore His disciples an example which they
would never forget, calculated to prevent
them from any further striving for place
and distinction. f. He showed himself a
true master. the same in spirit toward
John the beloved. Judas the traitor. and
Peter the impetuous and headstrong.
worthy the love of all, explaining His
relation and exercising His authority.
8. He used the occasion, nevertheless. to
pronounce judgment. declaring all clean
but one. distinguishing according to the
state of the heart. The narrative is full
of instruction for all time