In ancient Rome, crowds filled coliseums to watch gladiators fight brutal battles—many to their death. As these warriors prepared to enter the arena, their loved ones would shout one desperate word: spoudazo—“Give it all you’ve got. Fight to the finish.” These weren’t casual cheers from the sidelines; they were gut-wrenching pleas for survival.
Gladiators, on average, lived only until age 27. Many died in their first match, and most didn’t survive beyond their tenth. So when Paul uses this same word in his letter to the Ephesians, urging believers to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,” he’s not calling for a surface-level commitment to peace. He’s urging a fierce, whole-hearted devotion to protecting the unity of the body of Christ—because something sacred is on the line.
Unity doesn’t come easily, but it must be pursued urgently. And nothing paves the way for unity like humility.
In John 13, Jesus offers the most beautiful example of how humility forms lasting unity. Shortly before the crucifixion—knowing full well Judas would soon betray Him—Jesus still knelt before His disciples, removed His outer garment, tied a towel around His waist, and washed their feet, including Judas’s. He humbled Himself to serve not just those who loved Him, but also those who would soon abandon Him.
Jesus’ example teaches us, first, that humility must be prioritized if we want to live in true unity. In fact, our capacity to love others well is directly tied to our willingness to humble ourselves. As C.S. Lewis wisely noted, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.”
Second, Jesus shows that humility values every person’s role. When Peter resisted the foot washing, Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” In other words, unity can’t exist when we reject the contributions—or needs—of others. We’re made to give and receive within the body of Christ.
Third, His choice to wash every disciple’s feet—even Judas’s—reminds us that humility loves generously. This kind of love isn’t dependent on someone’s worthiness. It flows freely from a heart that refuses to close itself off, even when hurt is a possibility.
And fourth, Jesus modeled that humility honors each person’s place. He didn’t deny His authority—He revealed how true leadership is expressed through servanthood. Humility transforms how we use our position, turning authority into opportunity for service.
In a world where relationships fracture and long-term love struggles to thrive, Paul’s call to “make every effort” must become our urgent mandate. Peace won’t happen by accident, friends. It must be fought for—intentionally, persistently, and humbly.
So let’s take up our towels and fight for unity—not with control or complaint, but with open hands and humble hearts. Because when we choose the posture of Jesus, we preserve the unity He died to give us. And that unity is worth everything!
