Luke 14:7–11; John 13:3–5, 14–15; Philippians 2:1–4

Bible Studies for Life
Associate Professor of Religion, Department of Religion, Samford University

A Lifestyle of Humility
Luke 14:7–11; John 13:3–5, 14–15; Philippians 2:1–4
True humility is not a common virtue. The human failure to grasp this divine virtue is reflected in a song I learned as a child: “O Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror; I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me.” This humorous ditty contains an important truth: We have a hard time imagining what it means to be truly humble without coming to a point of satisfaction with ourselves. In three distinct contexts, these Scriptures direct Christians to look beyond themselves to Christ as the model of true humility.

Understand What Is Honorable (Luke 14:7–11)
Just as today, meals in the ancient world were opportunities for social relationships to be strengthened, as well as for hierarchies to be reinforced. In a letter, the Roman writer Pliny described with disapproval a meal at which his host carefully divided his guests into classes and then served the best food and wine to the most important guests. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is often found at a table, and His choice of companions frequently gives rise to criticism (5:29–30; 7:36–50). At first glance, His teaching about choosing a place at the table seems to be little more than practical advice for how to avoid humiliation or even a clever way to get ahead with the host, to be “honored in the presence of all.” The final part of the passage, however, places a simple lesson about table manners into the broader concerns of Luke’s Gospel, which gives special attention to those on the margins of society: the poor, the sick, the sinner, the foreigner. Honor in the kingdom of God is not attained by elbowing others out of the way but rather giving up the first place. Paradoxically we find what we desire by seeking the opposite. This does not mean that we simply must bide our time to gain fortune or glory but rather that our understanding of what is honorable is remade. The passage immediately following (14:12–14) makes this clear in the advice Jesus gives to those who would host a party. Your guest list should include “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” (v. 13). In so doing, Jesus’ followers mirror the priorities that animate His own ministry (Luke 4:18–19).

Develop a Sacrificial Character (John 13:3–5, 14–15)
Caring for another person’s body as you would your own invites us to think about our common humanity in a tangible way. Although we wash ourselves numerous times over the course of our lives, we tend to perform this most basic of services only for those who can’t help themselves: infants, the elderly, the sick. Jesus’ example challenges this attitude.The washing of feet in Jesus’ day was both a needed service as well as an act of hospitality that was recognized when it was neglected (Luke 7:36–50). The Greek word used to describe Jesus’ removing His outer garment is the same word used elsewhere in the Gospel to describe Him laying down His life (10:15, 17–18). The point is made clear when Jesus asks if His disciples know what He has done to them (v. 12). The example He set is not only about caring for one another’s physical needs — though this is certainly not excluded — but also about developing a sacrificial character in all our relationships. In so doing, we share something with Jesus (v. 8).

Pour Out Your Life for Others (Phil. 2:1–4)
John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the revelation of God. As we come to know Jesus, so, too, we know God. Paul’s direction to the saints in Philippi reflects this same perspective. The ethical admonitions in this passage — “do nothing from selfish ambition” and “in humility, regard others as better than yourselves” — are grounded in Christ’s example. The well-known description of the Incarnation as Jesus “emptying” Himself to the point of death on a cross (2:6–11) becomes the basis for us to pour out our lives for others. Giving up our place, washing another’s feet, pouring ourselves out — these practices of humility invite us to know the mind of God more fully.