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| Volume 20 Number 9 September 2018 | Page 9 |
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| Volume 20 Number 9 September 2018 | Page 9 |
The Humility of Jesus
Royce Frederick
Jesus told us to be humble (Matthew 23:12). Did He practice what He preached? Consider some examples from His life.
He left the glory of Heaven to come to Earth. Jesus had the very best home, the ultimate “comfort zone”! Yet, He left it for us. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men”(Philippians 2:5-7). Can you leave your “comfort zone” to serve God? Who provided your “comfort zone” (James 1:17)?
He chose a lowly birth. He was not born in a king’s palace but in a stable, and He was laid in a manger (Luke 2:1-7). He was born into a poor family, and He had to help them by working as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Do you envy other people who have more things or more expensive things than you?
He obeyed His parents during His childhood. He “was subject to them” (Luke2:51). Is it always easy to obey your parents and honor them? Obeying your parents “in the Lord” is always right, and it is pleasing to God (Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1-3).
He did not seek riches, houses and land. He warned one man who wanted to follow Him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). Are you devoting your life to having your “heaven on earth”? Where is your treasure (Matthew 6:21)?
He was rejected by some cities, yet He did not seek revenge. People in His hometown tried to push Him over a cliff, but He simply passed through the crowd and left (Luke 4:29). Near Gadara, He cast demons out of two men. However, the people were afraid of His power (Mark 5:15); “the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region” (Matthew 8:34). Instead of getting angry, He got back into the boat and left. Another time, when a Samaritan village refused to let Jesus enter, two disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy them. Instead, He rebuked His disciples and went peaceably to a different village (Luke 9:51-56). When you try to teach someone, and that person rejects God’s Word, do you leave peaceably and give the seed a chance to germinate in one’s heart? Do you keep on inviting and trying to teach others?
He mixed freely with outcasts and lowly people. Jesus did not seek to “hang out” with evil people all the time, but He did welcome everyone. He was not ashamed to eat with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10-13). He invited all who are troubled, saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His compassion was probably one reason why “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:37). We should seek godly friends, not evil ones (1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:22). However, we should be sure to welcome everyone (Hebrews 13:2; James 2:1; Romans 15:7).
He did not seek earthly fame. Jesus chose to be born into a family that was neither famous nor powerful. He made Himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:7). He did not even seek attention by preaching loudly in the streets (Matthew 12:15-21). Some people wanted to make Him an earthly king, but He refused (John 6:15; Matthew 4:8-10). He later explained, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He did not seek worldly fame, yet He became famous through His humble service. Do you seek the praise and approval of the world (See John 12:42-43; Luke 6:26; James 4:4)?
He helped people who would not let Him rest. When Jesus heard about the death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:13), and when the disciples had returned from a special mission, He told them, “‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’ For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31). So, they went in a boat to a deserted place. However, the multitude ran on foot and met Him at the shore. Instead of losing His patience, Jesus healed the sick, taught them and fed them (Matthew 14:14-22). Are you patient and kind when people will not let you rest?
He submitted to the authority of God and human government. Jesus taught, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”(Matthew 22:21). He obeyed God’s Old Law for Israel, and He even paid the Temple tax (Galatians 4:4; Matthew 26:18; 17:27). True humility includes submitting to God and His Word, but not to doctrines of men (Matthew 15:13; 2 John 9; Jude 3). Humility also involves submitting to the laws of government, unless a law is against God’s Word (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Acts 5:29).
He served His disciples. The night before His death, Jesus washed the feet of His apostles, including Judas (John 13:1-17). Is there any good work that you think is beneath your dignity?
He poured out His heart to God in prayer. Before choosing His twelve apostles, Jesus “continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). He often prayed far into the night (Matthew 14:23-25), or Jesus rose up very early to pray (Mark 1:35). The night before His death, He prayed fervently with sweat and tears, asking God to spare Him from suffering and death (Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:7). However, He also said, “Your will be done” (Matthew 26:42). Do you pour out your heart to God in prayer (1 Peter 5:5-7)? Then, do you humbly accept His will?
He endured mockery and abuse without retaliating. Religious leaders, soldiers and other people slapped Him, spat on Him, whipped Him, insulted Him and mocked Him (Matthew 27:27-44). Yet, Jesus did not even say angry things at them (1 Peter 2:21-24). Instead, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Do people sometimes push you too far? Do they “cross the line”? Where is your “line,” or what is the limit of your patience?
He gave His life for our sins. Jesus knew far ahead of time that He would suffer and die (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 1:11). However, He went to the cross willingly. “…He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Is your life a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)? “…He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).
He continued serving after His death and resurrection. Shouldn’t it be enough that Jesus gave His life for us? After that, couldn’t He retire from serving? God gave His risen Son all authority in Heaven and on Earth (Matthew 28:18). Yet, Jesus never stopped serving. He even cooked breakfast for His disciples by the sea. He was the risen Lord! Yet, He prepared fish and bread, and then, Jesus served it to them (John 21:9-13). Have you served enough? Do you get tired and want to be retired from serving God (Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:58)?
He’s still serving. Jesus changed jobs, but He did not quit serving. He was exalted to the highest place, to a throne on the right side of God (Philippians 2:9-11; Acts 2:33-34). However, He is still serving us, always interceding for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).
The entire life of Jesus is an example of humility. He was the Son of God walking in the midst of the sinful people He had created (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Yet, He did not parade around with pride and pomp like earthly kings love to do. He told His disciples, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).
Robert D. Rawson
Methods have changed throughout the years, but the same respect for the Message must remain the same. God bless the efforts put forth then and nowadays. How do you carry out the Great Commission? Did not Jesus say, “Go and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15-16)? Since the beginning, disciples continue to hold a sympathetic heart for those lost in sin and others who desire to carry out the Great Commission. Please think to leave evangelistic tracts in your home as well as in public places. In addition, be sure to have devotional times with your family, which will go a long way in the conversion and edification of family members. Become more spiritual in thought and discussion. The new you will help everyone else, as well as yourself.