It’s interesting, this idea of a glorious Messiah who doubles as the second person in the majestic Trinity and as the perfect role model for humility.
Jesus was the greatest and most powerful person ever to take human form and yet, concurrently, the most humble.
The wind and the waves and the demons of hell obeyed His voice, yet even the smallest children sensed that Jesus would put them ahead of Himself when it came to making time for them.
Wow.
We’ll do well in pleasing God and others if we practice this depth of humility.
We’ll also save ourselves a lot of embarrassment and weakened testimony.
I was reminded of this vital principle this morning while reading from Mark 9:30-37. In the passage, the apostles argued as to who was the greatest among them. Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous to us.
But imagine how it sounded to Jesus who wasn’t physically with them but who knew everything they had said.
Rather than tear into them as ridiculous, ego-centric hypocrites, Jesus showed humility of His character, thinking of their learning need rather than His ego need.
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’ He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’” (vv. 35-37).
This passage is just one of many that emphasizes humility, both in Christ’s example and in how we are called to conduct ourselves.
Listen, just because Jesus isn’t standing next to us during our conversations that slip into self-promotion — even in the subtle ways — that doesn’t mean He’s deaf to what we’re doing.
He knows.
We are NEVER called to seek elevation of our standing above others.
We ARE called to put others ahead of ourselves — constantly.
Little kids don’t play mind games.
Little kids don’t estimate net worth of others before deciding with whom they will talk.
Little kids don’t judge others’ worth based on things they can’t control, such as the color of skin or the income of families or shapes of noses or hips.
We shouldn’t do these things, either.
When we’re truly humble, everybody around us is truly important.
Jesus saw people this way and died on the cross for them.
Let’s join together to see people this way and put our selfishness to death in their behalf.
As always, I love you
Martin
