Exalted Example

“Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?  Who hath gathered the wind in His fists?  Who hath bound the waters in a garment?  Who hath established all the ends of the earth?  What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell?” (Proverbs 30:4).  “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet… for I have given you an example… The servant is not greater than his Lord… If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:13-17). 

We know the One who has ascended

Is Jesus Christ who first came down. 

Eternal souls on Him depended

To win for them salvation’s crown. 

Our Sovereign surely had a choice. 

The winds are gathered in His fists! 

The waters still obey His voice,

And by Him everything exists! 

Yet He who had established earth

Then left His majesty above

And came to us in lowly birth

Compelled by His amazing love!

We call Him Lord, and we say well

He is our Master and Creator,

Who stooped to save our souls from hell! 

Now who is like Him?  None is greater! 

Are servants greater than their Master? 

We surely know it isn’t so! 

Our Lord who saved us from disaster

Now bids us follow Him below. 

We see Him wash the feet of others

Portraying that which we should do

To those in Christ we call our brothers

And to the lost He sends us to. 

This is the path of happiness! 

We follow our exalted Head

When serving others we would bless

Before we serve ourselves instead.

O Lord, forevermore exalted,

How far You stooped to be our Savior!

By Your example we are halted

As we examine our behavior. 

We give You thanks, Lord, for Your grace

By which we’re saved, by which we live,

And thereby serve You in this place

By Your example that You give.