CHRIST’S HUMILITY IS THE ANSWER: Manifesting Servanthood
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. (John 13:14-15 NIV)
“Live for yourself.” “Do what you want.” “Put yourself first.” This the wisdom of the
world—similar to the mindset of the Romans during Jesus’ time, where power and
self-advancement were the goals.
But Jesus chose a different path. Upon knowing “that the Father had put all things
under His power” (John 13:3), He didn’t assert His authority on His disciples.
Instead, He “got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel
around his waist” (verse 4) to wash their feet. In His humility, Jesus shows us there’s
greatness in being the least of all.
HUMILITY AND SERVANTHOOD THAT GOD SEEKS
Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many”
I. KEY ASPECTS OF HUMBLENESS AND SERVANTHOOD
1. Humility as the foundation
a. Counter-cultural concept:
Humbleness in servanthood challenges the worldly view of leadership and
greatness, which often prioritizes power and authority.
b. Recognizing dependence:
True humility acknowledges that all we have is a gift from God and that we
are dependent on Him in all areas of our lives.
c. Selflessness:
It means valuing others' needs and interests above our own, putting
them first in our thoughts and actions.
d. Example of Jesus:
Jesus' willingness to wash his disciples' feet, a task traditionally
done by the lowest servants, exemplifies the ultimate act of humility and
service.
2. Servanthood as an Expression of Love
a. Serving others' needs:
Servanthood involves actively seeking out opportunities to help and
support others, meeting their needs with love and compassion.
b. Acts of service:
This can include practical acts of kindness, volunteering time, offering a
listening ear, or simply offering a helping hand.
c. Motivated by love:
True servanthood is driven by a genuine love for others, mirroring Jesus'
love for his disciples, says a church blog.
d. Not seeking recognition:
The focus is on serving God and others, not on seeking personal accolades
or validation
II. The Problem of Pride
What the Bible says about pride.
1. Pride is hated by the wise:
13
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and
the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13,
emphasis added)
Ang may takot sa PANGINOON ay lumalayo sa kasamaan.
Namumuhi ako sa kapalaluan, kayabangan,
pagsisinungaling at masamang pag-uugali
2. Pride leads to disgrace:
2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace… (Proverbs 11:2,
emphasis added)
Kahihiyan ang laging dulot ng kapalaluan, ngunit
pagpapakumbaba'y nagbubunga ng karunungan.
3. Pride leads to destruction and fall:
18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
(Proverbs 16:18, emphasis added)
Ang kayabangan ay humahantong sa kapahamakan, at ang
nagmamataas ay ibabagsak
4. Pride is sin:
4
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
(Proverbs 21:4, emphasis added)
Ang mapagmataas na tingin, at ang palalong puso, siyang
ilaw ng masama, ay kasalanan.
5. Pride brings one low:
23
One’s pride will bring him low… (Proverbs 29:23, emphasis
added)
Ang kayabangan ng tao ang magbibigay sa kanya ng
kahihiyan, ngunit ang pagpapakumbaba ang magbibigay sa
kanya ng karangalan.
6. Pride is evil and defiles a person:
21
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts,
sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness,
deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil
things come from within, and they defile a person. (Mark 7:21-23,
emphasis added)
Sapagkat sa loob, sa puso ng tao, nagmumula ang
masasamang isipang nag-uudyok sa kanya upang makiapid,
magnakaw, pumatay, 22 mangalunya, mag-imbot, gumawa
ng kasamaan tulad ng pandaraya, kahalayan, pagkainggit,
paninirang-puri, pagmamayabang, at kahangalan. 23 Ang
lahat ng masasamang bagay na ito ay nanggagaling sa puso
at dahil sa mga ito ay nagiging marumi ang tao.”
7. Pride is of the world:
16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires
of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is
from the world. (1 John 2:16, emphasis added).
Sapagkat ang lahat ng makamundong bagay – ang
masasamang hilig ng laman, ang pagnanasa sa mga
nakikita ng mata, at ang anumang pagmamayabang sa
buhay – ay hindi nagmumula sa Ama kundi sa mundo.
8. Pride is opposed by God:
6
…”God opposes the proud… (James 4:6, emphasis added)
Ang Dios ay sumasalansang sa mga palalo, datapuwa't
nagbibigay ng biyaya sa mga mapagpakumbaba.
III. The Beauty of Humility
What the Bible teaches about humility.
God leads and teaches the humble:
9
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his
way. (Psalm 25:9, emphases added)
Sa mapagpakumbaba siya ang gumagabay,
sa kanyang kalooban kanyang inaakay.
God lifts up the humble:
6
The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
(Psalm 147:6, emphasis added)
Taong mapagpakumbabá'y siya niyang itataas, ngunit lahat ng
mayabang sa lupa ay ibabagsak
God gives favor to the humble:
34
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
(Proverbs 3:34, emphasis added)
Ang mga palalo'y kanyang kinasusuklaman,
ngunit kinaluluguran niya ang may mababang kalooban.
Humility brings honor:
12
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes
before honor. (Proverbs 18:12, emphasis added)
Ang pagmamataas ay nagbubunga ng kapahamakan,
ngunit ang pagpapakumbaba, ay karangalan
Humility is rewarded with riches, honor, and life:
4
The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and
life. (Proverbs 22:4, emphasis added)
Ang paggalang sa PANGINOON at pagpapakumbaba ay
magdudulot sa iyo ng mahabang buhay, kayamanan at
karangalan.
The humble will be exalted:
12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12, emphasis
added)
"Ang nagmamataas ay ibababa, at ang nagpapakumbaba ay
itataas
We are called to put on humility:
12
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate
hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12,
emphasis added)
5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe
yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God
opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5,
emphasis added)
Kinamumuhian ng Diyos ang mga mapagmataas, ngunit
kinakaawaan niya ang mga mapagpakumbaba.”
God gives grace to the humble:
6
…”God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James
4:6, emphasis added)
Ang Dios ay sumasalansang sa mga palalo, datapuwa't
nagbibigay ng biyaya sa mga mapagpakumbaba.
IV. SERVANTHOOD
Servanthood
a disposition of willingly and voluntarily serving others, prioritizing
their needs and well-being above one's own
It's characterized by a humble, selfless attitude and a commitment
to meeting the needs of those around them, whether within a
community, a church, or in daily life
KEY CHARACTERISTICS:
a. Willingness and Choice
Servanthood is a choice, not an obligation. It's a conscious
decision to prioritize the needs of others.
b. Selflessness and Humility:
Servants are focused on the needs of others, often putting
their own needs aside.
c. Joyful Giving:
True servanthood is not begrudging or resentful; it's
motivated by a genuine desire to help and bless others.
d. Focus on Service, Not Promotion:
Servanthood is about the act of serving, not seeking personal
advancement or recognition.
e. Reflecting Christ's Example:
In Christianity, servanthood is often seen as a reflection of
Jesus's life and teachings, particularly his example of washing
his disciples' feet.
SERVANTHOOD THAT GOD SEEKS
CHRIST-LIKE SERVANTHOOD
1. Becoming Great Through Serving
Greatness according to Jesus is found in Mark 9:35 “If anyone
would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”
Jesus was saying that if you want to be truly great, you must
become the servant of all
Jesus taught that in the kingdom of God the only way up is
down.
Jesus wanted his leaders to be servant-leaders
If we want to make our churches great we must strive
to make them places of service.
EXAMPLE:
1.B. JESUS MODELED SERVANTHOOD.
At the last Passover Jesus took the lowly role of
washing the disciples’ feet.
Although Jesus was God, He purposely set aside His
privileges as God when He left heaven to take on the
form of a man. He was not concerned for His personal
rights. He was burdened for a lost world.
For the benefit of sinful man He humbled Himself to
the point of death. He gave His all for others. Because
of Jesus’ sacrifice, God the Father has now “highly
exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is
above every name” (Philippians 2:9 NASB).
He chose the last place for Himself but will be elevated
to first place for all eternity.
1. The Attitude Of A Servant.
Servanthood begins in the heart.
A servant is one who takes a low place for himself that he
might concentrate on the needs of others. He is willing to do
the dirty work, the humble tasks, the behind-the-scenes job.
His actions are not motivated by “selfish ambition or vain
deceit.”
The servant is more concerned about the needs of others
than self (Philip-pians 2:3-4 NIV). The motivation for his
service is love (Galatians 5:13).
CONCLUSION:
Henri Nouwen wrote: “Our God is a servant God. It is difficult for us to comprehend
that we are liberated by someone who became powerless, that we are being
strengthened by someone who became weak, that we find new hope in someone
who divested Himself of all distinctions, and that we find a leader in someone who
became a servant.”
- Jesus Christ modeled servanthood when He came to dwell among us as a
man.
- He became a servant when He obeyed God’s will.
- He was a servant when He washed the feet of His disciples.
- And His supreme act of servanthood came when He died on the cross and
gave His life as a ransom for us all.
