Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own. Philippians 2:3-4 (GNT)
We read these verses and we think "Yes! we should always think of others better than ourselves." But, we rarely do. If we were going to be real and honest about it, we may think of others as equal to ourselves but rarely do we think better.
What does someone have to do for you to think of them as better? Usually, they need to be more educated, an expert in something, have done some heroic act, served in some way, have more money. Our lists are long.
But not Jesus. He was always reaching out to people others rejected. He was always caring for those that were outcast. He chose to mingle and dine and live among those in society that were deemed not worthy to live life with. But probably one of the most poignant acts of his life was at the end. It clearly demonstrated what Jesus thought of 'the pecking order.'
Jesus was the Teacher. He was the Master. In his group of disciples, he was at the top of the chain. The disciples were next and then after them would come any servants of the household. When they were eating their last meal together, there were no servants. When they walked into the house there was no one there to wash their feet and remove the dirt before they placed them next to the table. Tradition said that only the servants did that. They were not servants so they did not do it.
But Jesus did. He took off his outer clothing, took the basin and the towel and began to fulfill the task of the servant. He placed them in a position that was better than himself - even though he was/is the King of the World.
As I reflect on this, I know I have a very long way to go before I am modeling Jesus in this way. My heart and mind do not always reflect the attitude of a servant and I am not accustomed to thinking of everyone as better than myself.
Father God, please. Help me in this. Make me more like Jesus. Amen