We serve a humble and tender-hearted God.

With greatness and achievement, often comes stature and popularity or renown. And when one is excellent and surpasses all others by a great margin as to be incomparable, a measure of pride is only natural. In fact, a level of arrogance is often expected in such a person. That is why it never ceases to amaze me that the Lord Jesus is humble and tender in heart.

He says to us, “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.” In Philippians 2:6- 8, we hear of how Jesus, though being God, did not take advantage of His divinity, choosing instead to take on the nature of a man, a servant at that! He submitted Himself to death on a cross, something reserved for criminals. That is just how humble Jesus is.

From His birth in a manger for a bed to His life on this Earth to His death on the cross, He chose not to exalt Himself even though if anyone had a right to, it would have been Him. After His death, we hear that the Father “exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. Yet, even now, pride is not something that can be associated with Him.

I am in reverence and awe of such a heart, such character. What an example?! How is it possible that someone so great, so perfect and possessing the highest level of authority could be humble? Of course, it doesn’t make sense when considered from a human perspective but the kingdom of heaven is unlike any other. In the kingdom of heaven, the one who is least is the greatest. Humility is a virtue to be embraced. A humble person pleases God. He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage ‘pride goes before a fall’ in one form or the other. The Bible tells us that “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). It’s not always easy to choose humility. It is contrary to how the world works, in general, and that is why it is so surprising to encounter humility especially in a person who has every reason not to be humble. Imagine then, what a powerful testimony it would be that we follow the way of Jesus when we show true humility. 

So, I pose the question to you and me –  what are some ways we could grow in humility today?

Love,