In the entire history of mankind, Jesus is unarguably the most humble man who ever lived. He is the perfect picture of lowliness and humility. As we study through the scriptures we’ll see a plethora of instances that clearly reveal His humble nature. The gospel accounts make us to understand that, Jesus, the King of kings stepped down from His throne to come into this world in the form of a man. He came through everyday people like Mary and Joseph, an ordinary carpenter and of all the ways He could have chosen to introduce Himself to the world as the creator of all, it was as a little, fragile baby, born in a manger, laid not in a crib but on a stack of hay in the feeding trough for animals. He wasn’t born into a wealthy, prestigious family with plenty servants. He wasn’t born in the finest inns with decorations that screamed royalty.
Again, of all places, He grew up in Nazareth. You see, Nazareth was a nothing-to-write-home-about kind of town and that was the reason why a man named Nathanael, who eventually became one of Christ's disciples, initially said (before meeting Him), "Can anything good come out of Nazareth" (John 1:46)? He could have chosen to be born and brought up by a family that lived in the finest neighborhoods in the choicest city of Israel. So why did the Holy Lamb of God choose this disregarded town even though He had the power to choose to have been raised in bigger, famous cities? The answer is very clear: He was and is the lowliest and most humble of all.
We see another example of His humility in the event of His baptism. First of all, He didn't need to get baptized because He wasn't a sinner in any way. But still in order for the scriptures to be fulfilled, He joined the queue to be baptized alongside terrible sinners (murderers, thieves, fornicators, liars…you name it). He didn't care if the people around would have thought of Him as a common sinner like them. He didn't look down on them or show off His holiness. Secondly, He went all the way from Galilee to river Jordan, a very common river and the same place where Naaman the leper had washed many years back, to be baptized by John (Matt 3:13). He didn't send for John to come and meet Him in Galilee and baptize Him specially in a cleaner, finer, elegant river. Thirdly, He humbled himself to be baptized by John even though John had earlier said, “There comes One (Jesus) after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose” (Mark 1:7). He didn’t allow John to dissuade Him when he said, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me" (Matt. 3:14)? He didn't lord His authority and power over John. He submitted Himself and allowed John to do that which God had sent him to do. And it was after this self-abasing act that His manifestation to Israel was signalized by opened heavens and God spoke from heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased." (Matt. 3:17). Indeed, before honor is humility (Prov. 18:12) and it is clear that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Throughout His ministry, He went about sleeping and eating in the same place with His disciples, not that He told them to prepare some special place for Him as the boss. The very fact that He chose illiterate fishermen and men with no reputation to walk with Him is a demonstration of His humility. These were ordinary unlearned men, whom the high and noble of the society would look at in a condescending manner but Jesus demonstrated humility by picking these men of low status and estate to follow Him. He associated Himself with the poor and outcasts of the society. He never looked down on anyone.
Finally, the ultimate demonstration of His humility is seen in the humiliation He endured during His trial and subsequent death on the cross. All through the interrogations of the Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate, He didn’t snap and say, "Do you know who I am, how dare you talk to Me like that?” He was scorned, mocked, flogged, tortured, yet He remained simple and humble instead of showing them His power by making fire to consume them all.
Friends, the Lord wants us to be humble like Him, that's why He said "learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt 11:29). Let us examine ourselves and learn of Him. Are you proud and arrogant because of your achievements and trophies? Do you carry yourself as superior and better than others? Do you talk down on others? Do you show off yourself at every slight opportunity? Do you feel too big to be corrected or even too big to learn from others? Are you full of yourself? Are you puffed up because of the knowledge you've acquired?
The Apostle Paul admonished us, saying, “…in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 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. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:3,5-8)
Oh Lord, transform us into your likeness, help us to be humble and lowly like you! Amen.
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