TRUE NOBILITY

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway

And there is definitely nothing noble in believing yourself superior to anybody - but we sure do it a lot, don't we?

We see this pride in other people, but it's hard to imagine in ourselves. (Which is ironically fitting.)

When Jesus washed His disciples' feet, He threw them for a psychological loop. Foot washing was necessary, but base and ugly - and fit only for a servant. Yet this dirty job was beneath even the average Jewish slave. It was a task fitting only for the lowliest of servants - a foreign slave. 

It was not a job for a master or a rabbi or the Son of God. 

But here was Jesus, with a basin of water and a towel, throwing the social order into confusion. 

And then, the cherry on top: He told the disciples they were to continue washing each other's feet! This changed everything.

How are we supposed to figure out the pecking order if everyone is washing each other's feet all the time?

It seems that if you are following Jesus, there is only one person to whom you are justified in feeling superior. 

Your former self.