Read: John 13:8, Matthew 18:4
Have you ever gone out to eat with friends and had that awkward moment when the check arrives? One of your friends grabs it and says, “I’ve got this,” and suddenly you’re scrambling to respond, “No, let me get it!” What follows is a back-and-forth battle of insistence, with everyone trying to outdo the other in generosity. It’s such a strange cultural thing—why is it so hard to just let someone do something kind for us without feeling like we owe them?
This struggle to receive isn’t just limited to dinner checks. Spiritually, we often do the same thing with God’s grace. In John 13, Peter experiences this firsthand. When Jesus kneels to wash his feet, Peter protests, “You shall never wash my feet.” It’s as if Peter is saying, “This is backward—if anyone should be serving, it’s me!” But Jesus gently corrects him, revealing that Peter must let Him wash his feet to truly share in what He offers.
This act of washing feet mirrors the greater cleansing Jesus provides through His death on the cross. It’s not something we can achieve on our own; it’s a gift we receive through faith. Yet, like Peter, we sometimes let pride get in the way. We think we need to earn God’s love or prove our worth, but the gospel tells a different story: we are to humbly accept what Jesus has already done for us.
True humility isn’t about feeling small or unworthy; it’s about recognizing our deep need for God and allowing Him to meet that need. It’s in this posture of dependence that we experience the fullness of His grace and are empowered to extend that grace to others. Just as a child readily accepts what is given to them, we are invited to receive God’s love with open hearts, no strings attached.
Reflection Questions:
- Why is it sometimes difficult to receive God’s grace?
- How can you practice humility in your relationship with God and others?
- What does it look like to trust in Jesus’ work rather than your own efforts?