Humble Like Our Savior

Bulletins

Michael Hickox
05/12/24 - General

Philippians 2:3-8: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus’ humility is remarkable. God the Son has existed from everlasting as Deity (John 1:1). Yet, He humbled Himself to the point of taking on human form, subjecting Himself to the will of the Father, and accepting the most humiliating type of death.

While Jesus was on earth, He allowed Himself to often live in unpleasant circumstances

(cf. Luke 9:58). He endured continuous persecution (Matt. 12:14; Luke 4:28-29; John 11:53) from people who constantly rejected Him (John 6:66) and made false accusations against Him (Mark 3:22; John 10:31-33).

As if the physical pain He endured at His death wasn’t enough, He was spat on and mocked (Matt. 27:29-31). The fact that Jesus didn’t retaliate or seek revenge against those who mistreated Him took great humility (1 Pet. 2:23).

The inspired apostle said “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). Following Jesus requires one to be full of humility.

One area we must have humility that didn’t apply to Jesus is in admitting we’ve done wrong and would therefore be doomed to Hell without God’s grace (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).

It also takes humility to realize that God knows what’s best for our lives, and to let Him direct us (Jer. 10:23).

It takes humility to choose to serve rather than seeking to be served.

This humility is what true greatness is about (Matt. 23:11-12). The call to be a Christian is not a call to seek exaltation from men, but to exalt God.

The only begotten Son of God showed humility. If the Savior of the world was able to humble Himself to accomplish the will of the Father and help others, we can do likewise.

After Jesus gave the greatest example of humility, “God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9).

Like our Savior, we must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, trusting Him to exalt us in due time (James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:6).