That was the opening line of our dorm devotional last night at my college.
How true that is?
It is said that humans are the only creatures on the planet that, when you pat them on the back, their head swells up.
Pride sneaks up on us all.
Our speaker continued by sharing a story from when he just started in ministry. He was a young pastor right out of Bible college at a small church in Illinois. Within six months the church had doubled in attendance, they had started a building fund for a slightly larger building, hired on a new youth pastor since they could now afford multi-staff positions, and they were becoming a large presence in the community.
He told a story of how one lay visited because she thought the quirky sayings on the church sign every week were "so good".
She went on and on about how funny, impactful, or helpful they were when she saw them driving past the church.
The preacher was the one who put out a new saying on the sign every week, but didn't tell her.
Nonetheless the next day he was feeling pretty good about himself and decided to wait until rush hour to put the next saying up... He wanted the people driving by to see him and know that the mind behind the funny, quirky, or devotional sayings was his.
"Be humble, lest you stumble."
Was what he put up for that week, and he recalls that as he walked away having finished putting up the sign he tripped over one of the lights and fell flat on his face.
God certainly has a sense of humor.
The bottom line is that Pride is the Chief Occupational Hazard of the Ministry.
We see this in the Gospels...
All of the disciples are in the upper room waiting on the passover meal, and they start arguing over who is the greatest.
We can all picture Peter... "I walked on water, I saw the transfiguration, I gave the great confession."
James and John respond, "Yeah, you walked on water, but Peter what does your name mean again? Rock? Yeah, because you sank like a rock when you doubted! And sure, you gave the great confession but what did Jesus call you just a few minutes later? Satan? Did he not say, "Get thee behind me Satan!? Thought so. As for us... Well, we are the sons of thunder!"
Andrew speaks up, "Guys, we all know I am the most humble... CLEARLY I am the greatest. I was one of the first disciples."
All of this arguing and bickering going on and Jesus remains silent.
Now everyone saw it, in the corner of their eye. The jar, basin, and towel.
Because... everyone still has dirty feet.
First century Palestine, dirt roads, dust, mud, and they are all wearing sandals walking miles and miles every day.
Their feet are pretty gross.
It was a hospitality custom for the lowest person among a group to be the feet washer.
And since it was the passover, most likely the slave or servant that would normally be washing the feet of the guests was celebrating with family.
And so... Everyone still has dirty feet.
The disciple's were arguing over their pride and rightful place... and there was a ministry that was being forfeited.
No one was stepping up.
Pride is the Chief Occupational Hazard of the Ministry.
And perhaps that's what even started the argument. Feet washing was the job of the lowliest among them, and none of the disciples think they are the lowest. They all think they are the greatest! That is what they are arguing about after all!
Perhaps they didn't even see Jesus slip away as he walked over to the basin.
He removed his outer cloak and tied the towel around his waist, poured the water, and began washing his disciples feet.
John 13...
Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (vs 3-5 NLT)
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. (vs. 12-17 NLT)
He killed pride in one sweeping moment as he practiced his ministry.
"Not to be served, but to serve." - Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45
Can you imagine what it must have felt like in that room?
No one was talking about who was the greatest anymore.
In fact I imagine complete silence, with the exception of Peter putting his foot in his mouth as usual.
The way to kill the chief occupational hazard is to walk the other way, the lowly way... to get down on our knees and be willing to be humbled.
"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." -C.S. Lewis
"Humility is not thinking so low of yourself that you discredit and beat yourself down, but rather, it is not thinking of yourself at all." -Dr. Mark Scott
May we all learn from the example of Christ and strive to be humble... lest we stumble.
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Nathan Bryant
Is a student of Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri. Majoring in Biblical Leadership, New Testament Studies, and Missiology, he has a combined passion for unity and discipleship in the global church. Nate is a crazed sports fan, he enjoys college football and playing fantasy football. He also enjoys watching baseball with friends. He works as an Admissions Counselor at Ozark. Nate is unashamedly a Starbucks addict. Yay Coffee!
Christ's Kingdom is bigger than our causes.
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