The Humility of Christ: A Model for Holy Week

As we enter Holy Week, our hearts and minds turn to the final days of Jesus' earthly ministry. This pivotal time in Christian history offers us a profound opportunity to reflect on Christ's character, particularly His astounding humility. The events leading up to the crucifixion reveal a Savior who, despite His divine nature, chose to serve rather than be served.

The Ultimate Act of Service

Picture this scene: Jesus, knowing His time was short, gathered with His disciples for what would be their last meal together. In a startling display of humility, He rose from the table, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. The disciples watched in bewildered silence as their Lord and Teacher knelt before each of them, washing their dusty, dirty feet.
This act was more than just a kind gesture. It was a vivid illustration of Christ's entire mission. By stooping to perform the task of the lowliest servant, Jesus demonstrated the very heart of His purpose: to cleanse us from the filth of sin and make us pure before God.
As He washed their feet, Jesus said, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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."
This powerful object lesson challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we willing to serve others, even in ways that might seem beneath us? Do we truly grasp the depth of Christ's humility and seek to emulate it in our own lives?

The Betrayal and the Promise

Even as Jesus demonstrated this incredible act of love, He knew that betrayal was imminent. With a troubled spirit, He announced that one of them would betray Him. The shock and confusion among the disciples was palpable. Yet, even in this moment of impending betrayal, Jesus' focus remained on loving and preparing His followers for what was to come.
In the midst of this tension, Jesus gave them a new commandment: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." This love – sacrificial, humble, and all-encompassing – would be the hallmark of His followers.

The Ultimate Humility: Submission to the Cross

While washing the disciples' feet was a powerful demonstration of humility, it pales in comparison to Christ's ultimate act of submission – His death on the cross. The Creator of life willingly subjected Himself to death, the most humiliating and painful death imaginable at that time.
As the apostle Paul would later write in Philippians 2:6-8, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"
This is the epitome of humility – the King of Kings laying down His life for His subjects, the Sinless One taking on the punishment for sin. It's a love and humility that defies human logic and challenges our very understanding of greatness.
Lessons in Humility for Us

As we contemplate Christ's humility, especially during this Holy Week, what lessons can we draw for our own lives?

1. Humble ourselves before God: 1 Peter 5:6 encourages us to "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." True humility begins with recognizing our place before an almighty God.
2. Serve others sacrificially: Jesus showed us that true greatness lies in serving others, not in being served. How can we apply this in our daily lives, in our families, workplaces, and communities?
3. Love authentically: The love Jesus commanded is not a mere feeling, but an action. It's a love that puts others first, that is willing to be inconvenienced and even hurt for the sake of others.
4. Be honest with ourselves and others: True humility involves being honest about our struggles and weaknesses, not putting on a false front of perfection.
5. Accept that following Christ may involve pain: Jesus was clear that following Him would not always be easy. Are we willing to accept difficulty and even suffering as we follow in His footsteps?
6. Practice "fighting generosity": This means actively looking for ways to be generous, even when it costs us something. It's about saying "yes" to others even when it means saying "no" to ourselves.

As we move through Holy Week towards the cross and the empty tomb, let's challenge ourselves with this prayer: "Lord, this is not mine. All that I have, all that I am is not mine. It's yours. Do what you want with me."
This attitude of complete surrender opens us up to hear God's voice more clearly and makes us available for Him to use us in ways we might never have imagined. It's an invitation to step into the kind of radical, transformative humility that Jesus exemplified.
The humility of Christ is not just a historical fact to admire from afar. It's a living example that we are called to follow, a path that leads to true freedom and fulfillment. As we contemplate the events of Holy Week, may we be inspired to walk in the footsteps of our humble Savior, serving others with love and pointing the world to the One who loved us enough to lay down His life for us.
In a world that often equates greatness with power, wealth, and influence, the message of Christ's humility is revolutionary. It calls us to a different kind of greatness – one marked by service, sacrifice, and selfless love. As we embrace this path, we not only honor our Savior but also find the true purpose and joy for which we were created.

The Humility of Christ in His Final Hours

Key Takeaways:

1. Jesus demonstrated profound humility by washing His disciples' feet.
2. Christ's ultimate act of humility was submitting to death on the cross.
3. The opposite of humility is not pride, but selfishness.
4. Jesus never misused His divine status and was completely obedient to God's will.

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you most from the sermon about Christ's humility?
2. Pastor Josh mentioned the awkwardness in the room when Jesus washed the disciples' feet. How do you think you would have reacted if you were there?
3. How does Jesus' example of humility challenge our typical understanding of leadership and power?
4. The sermon highlighted that Jesus called the disciples "little children" even in His final hours. What does this reveal about His character?
5. How does Christ's willingness to be humiliated and sacrificed for us impact your view of your own struggles and sacrifices?
6. Pastor Josh mentioned three ways to emulate Christ's humility: exhibit honesty, accept a willingness to expect pain, and have a fighting generosity. Which of these do you find most challenging and why?
7. How might our relationships and communities change if we truly lived out Christ-like humility?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, practice "fighting generosity" by looking for opportunities to say yes to others, even when it means saying no to yourself.
2. Spend time each day reading through the Holy Week guide provided by the church, reflecting on Christ's final days.
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with selfishness. Pray for God's help in cultivating humility in that specific area.
4. Practice vulnerability with a trusted friend or group member by honestly sharing a current struggle or challenge you're facing.
5. Consider ways you can serve others in your community this week, keeping in mind Jesus' example of washing feet.

Closing Prayer: "Lord, this is not mine. Do what you want with me. All that I have, all that I am is not mine. It's yours. Help us to live with this humble attitude, being available for You to speak to us and use us. Amen."