Jesus’ Heights of Humility
Exploring the extent to which Jesus was humble!
If I ask you to picture Jesus’ humility, what Bible passage comes to your mind? I am confident that one of such Bible passages would be Jesus washing the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-17). However, that is not the only passage that paints the picture of Jesus being a humble person. Philippians 2:6-11 shows us the heights of Jesus’ humility and meekness. Let’s explore this passage.
1. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage”
Jesus was and is God. He had the same nature as God, for He was God. He could have used it for His advantage. However, He did not use it. On the contrary, He humbled Himself. This is the bar that Jesus has set before us.
Examine yourself: Do I use my positions, and my power to my advantage?
2. “rather, he made himself nothing”
When Jesus was not a human, He had all the power and authority. But when He became a human, He gave it all up. When one compares God and humans, humans are nothing. No one would like to leave all the power and authority for something less. Yet Jesus chose to be ‘nothing’.
Ask yourself this: Am I willing to leave my position, power, and authority like Jesus? Am I ready to become ‘nothing’?
3. “by taking the very nature of a servant”
How did Jesus make Himself ‘nothing’? By taking the very nature of a servant. In verse 6, we see that Jesus had the nature of God. However, He made Himself ‘nothing’ by taking the very nature of a servant. A servant was (and is) considered the lowest in society and a household. Nonetheless, Jesus took such a form and became a servant. This is evident in John 13:1-17, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
Ponder on this: Will I take on the nature of a servant in order to serve others? How does my service look like?
4. “being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man”
One doesn’t have to read much into the Gospels to realize how humble Jesus was; the very fact that Jesus incarnated into a human being shows how humble Jesus is!
The Creator took on the appearance of His own creation. If this is not humility, what is?
Think about it: Would I take on a lowly form so that I will minister to such lowly people?
5. “by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross!”
How far will you go to serve others? One rarely died for another. And in our case, we were sinners and still Jesus chose to die for us. To live for another is great, but to die for someone else is something greater!
One of the most gruesome punishments ever introduced was a Roman Cross. Criminals feared it. Jesus too feared it. But He did not shy away. He chose to die one of the most tragic deaths humankind has ever seen.
Ask yourself: Am I willing to die for God, for the ones I am serving? Will I still choose to serve God and others even when I have to die a tragic death?
In the next edition, we’ll look into the 5 promotions that Jesus received from God the Father. Thank you for reading it. If you liked today’s short blog, drop a like.
God bless you!