Humility: made possible by death

I've been reading a book Humility by C.J. Mahaney (definitely recommend to anyone). And as I was finishing up a chapter just now he ended the chapter with this paragraph:

"What a powerful death! The cross ransoms, the cross liberates, the cross transforms! So make it your aim and lifelong habit, when you see someone who's serving, to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior, for apart from His sacrifice there is no serving. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example-and made possible only by the saviors sacrifice."

He was talking about John and James and how in Mark 10 they were self promoting and vying for "the greatest" credential to add to the resume. In John 13 we see Jesus Christ take a wash basin and towel, and get down and wash these two arrogant men's feet, also he washed the feet of Judas his betrayer. Jesus served!! Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ washed feet. Here's the question: how's your service? Mine hasn't been too good. I am working on it. Mahaney reminds us that we can be transformed, literally changed by the death of Jesus Christ, to live a new life and serve each other with love and humility. What a good example to follow.

Humility comes through sacrifice. Jesus said if we are to follow him, we have to deny ourselves, literally die to self. What we want isn't as important as what He wants. Period. If Jesus is the center of our lives, and our aim is to glorify Him, then we do not matter. Humility is possible by death, first and foremost the death of Christ, and then the death of our selfish motives in order that we may serve others and serve Christ with every ounce of who we are.