Humility of the First Degree

Bienhome Muivah *

Christmas Eve at MBC Church on 25 December 2013 :: Pix - Daniel Chabungbam

This brings us to anextraordinary passage of scripture, John 13:1-13. This is the passage where Jesus washed the peoples' feet.

Jesus was about to be crucified. The disciples had spent a little more than three years with Him. They had been through it all-miracles, confrontation with religious leaders, powerful pronouncements, and riveting messages from the Lord. Now the crowds were gone and they were together alone with Him in the house eating supper.

On this occasion, only days before He would die on the cross, Jesus did something that would not only mark the disciples for the rest of their lives, but would also be a signature of authentic Christianity and Christian leadership in particular. It was nothing short of astonishing: Jesus rose, took off His outer garments, tied a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin, and washed the disciples' feet.

Stop and think about how these disciples felt. The creator of the universe, the everlasting Son of God, was on His knees washing their feet. This was a holy moment. Undoubtedly there were tears running down the cheeks and beards of these rough and ordinary men. Silence. The only sound was the water dripping off the feet in the basin. Dignity. Value. That was the message. Jesus was saying by this act of service. "I love you and I want you to forever know that I affirm all that God made you to be. I am your servant".

But there is more. He did this as an example. Soak in John 13: 14-15. "Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you".

As a leader, you must never forget that you belong to the community of the towel and the basin. Your authority to lead is directly related to your ability to serve. When you have washed feet, the people you lead will know that you value them.

So they will want to know more about this Jesus.

During the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, it was interesting to note a number of new articles in the press about Eric Liddell, a former missionary in China who is held in high esteem in that country long after his death in 1943. You may know about Liddell from the Oscar-winning movie Chariots of Fire, which told about the challenges he faced reconciling his Christian faith and his superior ability as a sprinter approaching the 1924 Olympics. Perhaps the more amazing story about Eric Liddell, however, is what occurred after he captured the 400 meter gold medal that year.

Liddell who was born in China to Scottish parents serving as missionaries, returned to the land of his birth as a missionary in 1925. To read about his ministry there is a need to read about a man who was convinced of the assignment God gave him and was committed to leading by serving.

Many of the most dramatic stories focus on his final years in South China, when the area was the centre of conflict between China and Japan. In 1939, for example, Liddell joined Dr. Kenneth McAll at the London Mission Hospital in Siaochang, which was in the centre of the war zone. "As Britishers we were not popular with the Japanese, who suspected us of spying".

McAll writes, 'and as a Christians we were unpopular with the communists who only tolerated our presence because they could use our hospital for their wounded soldiers. However, it was always possible to get caught in the cross fire. On several occasions when cycling across open fields to visit sick or needy people in another village, would have the sudden thought to get off our bikes and take cover, only to hear bullets flying over the heads. God's guidance was very real to them on such situation.

On one occasion, Eric heard of a man who had survived a Japanese ambush and attempted execution, and had been lying at the scene for ten days. He and a nurse loaded him on a cart and brought him to the hospital, where he recovered over a period of weeks.

McAll writes, He said he was so interested in what he had heard from Eric and others and was so impressed by the care he had witnessed that he wanted to know more about his Jesus they talked about.

In 1941, British nationals were advised to leave the country. Liddell's wife and children moved to Canada, but he stayed on to continue serving the people he loved. Then, in 1943 he and other nationals were interned at a Japanese camp in Weishien, and he continued his ministry there-teaching science and directing sports for the camp school, teaching Sunday School, school, helping families in need, helping resolve conflicts.

"He was everywhere, he was ubiquitous", recalls the Rev. Dr. Norman Cliff. "One moment he was speaking to the school boys in his cheerful way, then he was gone and he'd been seen talking with some businessmen half a mile away. Wherever he went, he brought confidence and happiness.

Liddell died of a brain tumor a few months before the camp was liberated, but he led and served with such dignity. Are there times in which you need to use the authority of your position? Yes, but never for self-serving motives.

In fact, if you know who you are, not only are you secure enough to serve but your authority becomes obvious. The less power you use, the more you have.

Let's put into practice "the Humility of the First Degree"!