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Day Thirty-Eight
Day Thirty–Eight // April 1 // The Humble Heart of Christ (Maundy Thursday)
“Pride makes us artificial; humility makes us real.” – Thomas Merton –
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They had gathered around a table. They’d dined on bread and wine and herbs. They had shared tales and wholesome laughter. They’d heard His holy words.
But there were two – only two – who knew what was to come. It was only Jesus and Judas who knew how that night would end. Even so, Jesus stooped. The King of the world, taking basin and towel, stooped. Assuming the lowly role of a servant, He knelt before each of them – even the one who would soon betray Him into the hands of suffering – and He washed their feet. Holy hands cleansed common mud from the feet of wayward sinners.
114 PERFECTLY WOUNDED
Knowing His time with them was short, He ensured they understood: “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that is what I am. So, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (John 13:12-15).
The humility of that moment. It’s depth of feeling, its kaleidoscopic love: that the Savior would serve we, sinners. Its power is overwhelming, and its invitation is unreserved. As we have been loved, so must we love. As we have been healed, so must we heal. As we have been forgiven, so must we forgive.
In “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis puts it thus: “As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”
It is not sin that keeps us from God. God knows how to deal with sin. And it’s not doubt. God can handle that, too. It’s pride. Pride that first bid us taste the forbidden fruit of Eden, pride that first turned our backs to the Lord. It’s pride that urges us think that we know best and how and why. In the person and body and heart of Christ, though, we see another way, a better way of living: one that’s stooped. Stooped in humble service. Stooped in obedient faith. Stooped in powerful worship. Stooped to redeeming Love!
