The humility of Jesus Christ was admirable as it is today. It was so infectious that even the most arrogant like Saul who later became Paul the Apostle was subdued. Humility elicits humility with greatness in heart. Paul said in Acts 20:19 that he served the Lord (Jesus) with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell him through the plots of the Jews in faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul encourages us in Philippians 2:3 that do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. This is because of his knowledge about Jesus’ character of unbridled humility that was pleasing to God. Jesus fulfilled scripture in humility. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 that think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. What does scripture say about the humility of Jesus Christ?
Words or records cannot attest to the entire examples and/or testimonies of Christ Jesus except by the Holy Spirit. These examples here are therefore by no means exhaustive of the humility of Christ.
Obedience
Philippians 2:8 says about Jesus that and being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on the cross. Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry, he was humble and obedient to God therefore he became very pleasing to God. God said that this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. We cannot be obedient to God without humility and so can we not please God without obedience.
We fall out of favour with God in the absence of obedience. Jesus was rather in favour with God all through because of his obedience to God. obedience means obeying God’s word or instructions absolutely without subjecting it to human imperfection for evaluation. God will not deal with people who are not compliant or submissive to him. Are we obedient to God?
Jesus was meek and humble
Meekness means humbleness or gentleness or modesty or humility or mildness. Paul testifies about the meekness and gentleness of Christ Jesus in 2 Corinthians 10:1. Jesus entertained or accommodated sinners, tax collectors, and rulers, Pharisees who were after his blood, children, men and women, old and young, Jews and Gentiles, believers and non-believers without limiting salvation or redemption to any group of people. He listened to all and attended to all without any class distinction. What is the testimony of Jesus Christ about us regarding humility? Are we accommodating or approachable to all?
Jesus became a servant
Philippians 2:6 says though he (Jesus) was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. The form of God means he was clothed with the authority and power of God. He emptied himself means he relinquished his authority and power in the form of God in his relationship with us. The form of a servant means Jesus reduced himself to our level and was identified as a servant though a king of whom we are his servants.
Sometimes, servants are recognized as mere tools for the pleasure of their masters. Their lives are their master because they are deemed to have no rights to complain. Jesus Christ became such a servant. Matthew 20:28 says that the son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus became a servant to us so that we may be servants to others.
Jesus never complained
Acts 8:32-33 referring to Isaiah 53:7 says of Jesus Christ that as a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth. Isaiah 53:7-8 says he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that is before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
Before his accusers prior to crucifixion, he did not react though he could have as a king. Jesus said in Matthew 26:53 do you think I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? A legion is a multitude, platoon or team of a special fighting force who are combat ready awaiting instructions to unleash mayhem. Mankind could not have faced these legions from heaven who were at the request of Jesus. He however endured all the atrocities without complaining. He trusted God to always do the right thing. We complain because we do not trust God’s judgments or decisions. We believe we are wiser than God. we must trust God in all things.
Jesus was an offering for victory
We summarize what Isaiah 53:9-12 says. Jesus did no violence. He had no deceit in his mouth. He made himself an offering for sin. He will therefore see his offspring (sinners). God’s will prosper his hand (his sacrifice for us). He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied (redemption of sinners). He will bear their iniquities (carries our burden, Matthew 11:28). He will be counted among the great (in heaven and on earth). He is strong because he made intercession for the transgressors. Jesus is indomitable because of his humility. Are we suffering leaders also for others?
Jesus Christ is elevated
Jesus has a glorious status because he was and is still humble to God who has exalted him above all. Jesus said in Matthew 26:64 that hereafter you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Acts 5:31 says God exalted him (Jesus) at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Israel refers to all who receive him as Lord and Saviour, John 1:12.
If we are humble to him, he will exalt us by his side and change our respective status in glory. Are we ready for this change? Psalms 149:4 says that God adorns the humble with victory. We cannot be victorious in this life or hereafter without Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus’ humility God made him strong in righteousness and holiness so that his prayer for our redemption. James 5:16 says the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Let us be humble and righteous in prayer to appeal to God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we desire to be like you. Teach us your way so we may not stray from the way of righteousness or life. Humble us in spirit to obey you always. In your holy name we pray, Amen!!
