John 13:16

In the fifth place, This practice and example of Christ is further urged to presse this duty, from the consideration of his excellency, which he had laid down as a ground, ver. 13. and summarily urged, ver. 14. As Christs greatnesse above his servants is urged else-where to make them content with the lots he was exercised with, Joh. 15.20. Matth. 10.24, 25. So here it is made use of, to presse them to that humility one toward another which he had shewed toward them. And this makes the argument from his example conclude more strongly, that they, who were so far inferiour to him, should not disdain to practice that condescendence he had used. Whence learn, 1. Whatever dignity Christ conferre upon his Servants and Officers; Yet he is the authorizer of them all, and Lord above them all, and over all his Church: And it is the greatest dignity of any, to be his servants and represent him in a commission: for, so is here imported. 2. Christs greatness and excellency contributes to set forth and commend his humility to us; Therefore, in this action he is so oft spoken of as Lord and sender of his servants. See Phil. 2.5, 6, 7. 3. It becomes Christs followers to affect no greater eminency in this world, then Christ had and not to disdain to stoop so low as he did; for, if the servant be not made lesse then his Lord, it is no reason he should look to be greater. 4. The consideration of our baseness should keep our mindes lowly, and free of affecting superiority over our brethren; for, Christ presseth the duty on this ground, that they are but servants, and sent. 5. Whosoever doth refuse to walk humbly toward his fellow disciples, he doth in effect deny his inferiority to Christ: for, either he must deny that the servant is not greater then his Lord, or he that is sent, then he that sent him, or else he must stoop to wash the feet of others. 6. Albeit our basenesse be very visible in it selfe, especially when we are compared with Christ; yet it is not usually pondered by us as it ought, nor so studyed as the fruits thereof may appear in practice; for, it must be born upon them with Christs ordinary asseveration, Verily, verily, I say unto you. to drive them to this condescendence. 7. Whatever be the shiftings of our ambitious hearts; Yet Christ will not on any tearmes dispense with the want of humility and condescendence in his followers; But he will either have them stoop, or else he will abase them; Therefore also doth he urge this with a verily verily, to presse it as a grave and necessary matter: and in the rest of the words he so speaks, as may import both their duty to imitate their Lord and Master, and his will (especially if they did not so) that they should meet with such humbling lots as he did.