|
XIV.
Christian Service
Chapter 162
:
Who is the Greatest?
1. AT the last
Passover, what did Christ say to His disciples?
"And he said unto them, With desire
have I desired to eat this Passover with you
before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not
any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in
the kingdom of God." Luke 22:15,16.
2. Concerning what had
there been a strife among the disciples?
"And there was also a strife among
them, which of them
should be accounted the greatest." Verse 24.
3. How did Christ
rebuke this spirit?
"And He said unto them, The kings of
the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and
they that exercise authority upon them are
called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but
he that is greatest among you, let him be as
the younger; and he that is chief, as he that
doth serve." Verses 25,26. See Mark
10:42-45.
4. What did the Saviour
say of His own position?
"For whether is greater, he that
sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he
that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as
he that serveth." Verse 27.
5. Notwithstanding that
He was their Lord and Master, what example of
humility and willing service did Christ give?
"He riseth from supper, and laid
aside His garments. and took a towel, and girded
Himself. After that He poureth water into a
basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet,
and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was
girded." John 13:4,5.
6. What was the custom
anciently respecting feet-washing?
"Let a little water, I pray you, be
fetched, and wash your feet." "And he
said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you,
into your servant's house, and tarry all night,
and wash your feet." "And the man brought
the men into Joseph's house, and gave them
water, and they washed their feet." Gen.
18:4; 19:2; 43:24. See also Judges 19:21; 2 Sam.
11:8.
7. How did Christ
reprove Simon for misjudging Him in permitting a
woman who was a sinner to wash His feet?
"And He turned to the woman, and said
unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered
into thine house, thou gavest Me no water for
My feet: but she hath washed My feet with
tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her
head." Luke 7:44.
NOTES.-From the scriptures just cited, it
appears that the usual custom in Christ's
time was for the guests to wash their own
feet.
"As sandals were ineffectual against the
dust and heat of an Eastern climate, washing
the feet on entering a house was an act both
of respect to the company and of refreshment
to the traveler:"- Complete Dictionary of
the Bible, by Smith and Barnum, article
"Washing the Hands and Feet."
At a feast it was an Oriental custom for
servants or slaves to wash the feet of
guests. See 1 Sam. 25:40,41. It was not the
custom, however, of equals to wash
the feet of equals, much less for
superiors to wash the feet of
inferiors. But this is the very thing
that Christ did when He washed the
disciples' feet, and instituted the
ordinance of feet-washing. In this lies the
lesson of humility and willingness to serve
which He designed to teach.
8. What question did
Peter ask concerning this proffered service?
"Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and
Peter saith unto
Him, Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?" John
13:6.
9. What answer did
Jesus make?
"Jesus answered and said unto him,
What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt
know hereafter." Verse 7.
10. How did Peter feel
about the Saviour's washing his feet?
"Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt
never wash my feet." Verse 8.
11. What was the
Master's reply to Peter?
"Jesus answered him, If I wash
thee not, thou hast no part with Me." Same
verse.
NOTE.-This ordinance is a type of a higher
cleansing,- the cleansing of the heart from
the stain of sin. It is a rebuke to all
selfishness and seeking of place and
preferment among Christ's professed
followers, and a witness to the fact that,
in God's sight, it is true humility and
loving service which constitute real
greatness.
12. Learning that union
with Christ depended on this service, what did
Peter say?
"Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord,
not my feet only, but also my hands and my
head." Verse 9. See verse 10.
13. After having washed
their feet, what did Christ say?
"I have given you an example,
that ye should do as I have done to you." Verse
15.
14. What did He say
about their washing one another's feet?
"Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye
say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and
Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another's feet." Verses 13,14.
15. What did Christ say
would be their experience in obeying His
instruction?
"If ye know these things, happy
are ye if ye do them." Verse 17.
16. How does Christ
regard an act performed toward the humblest of
His disciples?
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
of the least of these My brethren, ye have
done it unto Me." Matt. 25:40.
NOTE.-The great lesson intended to be taught
by the instituting of this ordinance
evidently was such humility as would lead to
willing service for others. The ordinance
itself has been practiced by many of the
most devout followers of Christ during the
Christian era, and is still observed by
some. Kitto, in his Cyclopedia of Biblical
Literature, says it became "a part of the
observances of the early Christian church,"
and that "traces of the practice abound in
ecclesiastical history." The Waldenses held
it as an ordinance of the church (see their
"Confession of Faith," page 12); and
according to the Cyclopedia of Biblical
Literature (Vol. III, page 616), "the Church
of England at first carried out the letter
of the command." It is a great test of
character, and its observance tends to unite
hearts in Christian fellowship and love.
I
WILL never, never leave thee,
I will never thee forsake;
I will guide, and save, and keep thee,
For My name and mercy's sake:
Fear no evil,
Only all My counsel take. |
