Humility is the greatest virtue in the Bible. The way up is down. The way down is up. Contradiction, paradox, or simple truth? In the book of Luke, Jesus told two different stories after observing egocentric behavior. Both conclusions read the same: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11, 18:14b).
The first story was about trying to get the place of honor at a wedding. The second was about two men, a Pharisee and a tax collector, who stood next to each other praying in the temple. The first thanked God that he was not a robber, evildoer, or adulterer, and that he tithed regularly and fasted twice a week. He also thanked God that he was “not like other men…or even like this tax collector.”
Jesus did not say that the first man’s statements were not true, so what did he do wrong? He exalted himself. The second man was bad, and he admitted it. What he said about himself was true, so what did he do right? He humbled himself. Humility is apparently independent of, and senior to, other merits of right and wrong. [1]
The supreme example of self-exaltation was Satan, and it was his way down:
"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain'” (Isaiah 14:12-13).
The supreme example of humility is Jesus, and it was the way up:
"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death¾even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:6-9).
Although He was in glory with the Father, Christ did not insist on keeping His rightful place in Heaven. It was His rightful place, but He chose doing the will of the Father in humility over hanging onto that place. When He was an innocent man on earth, He did not protest His innocence. Instead, He died for our sins. Jesus made Himself nothing for us. Humility before God was more important to Him than His equality with God, His reputation, and His innocence.
What
are we to learn from this?
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…" (Philippians 2:5).
Our “rightful place,” our “reputation,” and our “innocence” are not as important as following Christ in humility. How can this be?
God’s
objective for us is that we be “conformed to the image of His dear Son” (Romans
8:29). We are also told to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). We “have put on the new self,
which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians
3:10).
We
were created in the image of God. When we sinned, we lost the part of our
God-likeness that had to do with righteousness and holiness. Jesus came to
earth in order to restore that likeness. We are to be like God, which means
being like Jesus, who is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact
representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3).
Humility
is one of Christ’s most obvious characteristics. If we are to imitate Him,
humility is a very good place to start. Let’s look again at the pattern He left
for us to follow:
"Do nothing out
of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than
yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to
the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant…" (Philippians 2:3-7).
This pattern of humility began when Jesus left
heaven, and it ended at the cross. It was downward all the way.
While
Jesus was on earth, He taught these things concerning humility:
"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (John 13:13-17).
"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'” (Mark 10:42-45).
We are Christ’s followers; therefore, we are to be servants. The path to being like Jesus is downhill. It will not turn around this side of Glory.
We can choose to have humility. In fact, that is the only way we can have it. Although coerced serving may be humiliating, it is not humility. Following Christ means choosing to be a servant and choosing to do it continually. Remember what Jesus said: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11, 18:14b).
There is no neutral ground where your soul is concerned: either you exalt yourself or you humble yourself. We exhibit one of these attitudes in every encounter with God or man. We can follow Satan by exalting ourselves, or we can follow Christ by humbling ourselves. If we want to be known as followers of Christ, we must demonstrate our servanthood by actions that spring from a humble heart.
Jesus
wants us to follow Him.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
[1] What is your reaction to this parable? Do you go home thanking God that you are not like the Pharisee?
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