Humble confidence

In Luke’s account of the last supper, just after Jesus has shared the bread and wine, an argument about their comparative status breaks out among the disciples:

“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.”

In response, Jesus says:

“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. (22:24)

Jesus pinpoints how the world operates: power and prestige likes to dress itself in benevolence and charity. In contrast, Jesus’ followers are to live out a radically re-defined version of ‘greatness’:

“The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves” (22:25)

Embodied example

As always, Jesus does more than preach his challenging teaching. He embodies it.

And in John’s account of the last supper in John 13, Jesus takes on the demeaning task of washing his disciples feet. In doing so, he embodies a humble form of confidence which is in direct contrast to the status anxiety shown by his disciples:

1. Security in his identity

Firstly, the passage is clear that Jesus’ feet-washing is based on a deep confidence about his own value, identity and future:

‘Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.’ (13:3)

Jesus was not seeking validation from anyone else. He knew his status before God the Father.

Our service of others is purest and most effective when we are secure in who we are and our own value. This is why faith has been such a motivator for the establishment of social action and work for justice. Acceptance of God’s grace has enabled people to show that grace to others.

In contrast, efforts to help others become warped when they are an expression of frail ego. Charities easily become vanity projects which care more their profile and survival than the actual impact of their work.

2. Assertive boundaries

Secondly, Jesus’ actions are far from being a passive doormat. His interactions with Peter during the feet washing show someone who is clear and assertive about what they are doing.

Peter initially refuses to allow Jesus to wash his feet. But Jesus bluntly tells him how necessary this is if he wants to be part of what he is doing.

Peter then demands his whole body to be washed. Jesus refuses and explains why what he is offering meets what is required. Jesus maintains his boundaries in the face of someone who wants to be dealt with on their own terms.

When we help others, it is common to be confronted by demands which may be inappropriate or impossible to meet. If we are to sustain our help, we need to express what we can do and what we can’t. Showing grace over the long term always involves telling the truth.

Following his example

Following his actions, Jesus says:

“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.” (13:14)

Jesus could not have been any clearer: every one of his followers is called to serve others. But lets not just think that Jesus’ actions were just simple servitude. Jesus’ humble actions were assertive, boundaried and rooted in deep security about his identity.

We live in a world scarred by anxiety and insecurity. Our efforts to serve others can easily be corroded and exhausted by these tendencies.

Tonight, as we remember the last supper, lets reflect on Jesus’ humble confidence and pray that we can follow his counter-cultural example.