Philippians 2:5-8: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Â Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7Â But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8Â And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things in heaven and on earth? - Psalm 113:5-6
Introduction:
Twice in the book of Hebrews we are exhorted to consider Jesus.
This word consider means to contemplate. It gives us this understanding that we are to take time considering and contemplating on the person of Jesus.
This contemplating often requires meditation. It means that Jesus should be more to us than just a passing thought…more than someone we think about occasionally. Thinking deeply on the person & work of Jesus is something that should be a regular occurrence.
We are in a season of the year where Jesus is coming back into focus - at least for Christians. Christmas has a way of causing sincere believers to reflect on his coming, his birth, life, & ultimately his death burial and resurrection. Along with this Christmas season & along with the scriptural admonition, Let us consider Jesus.
But how do you think on a subject that is infinite? Piece by piece. So let’s consider one main aspect of his life: His Humility.
Humility: What is it? In the Greek it means to abase, make low, or modesty; but,it is a word that is better demonstrated than defined. We know it when we see it in action, although, finding words to describe it is not always easy.
It’s like the word love. Who has been able to define love with words? The Bible doesn’t even give us a clear definition of the words love and humility, but it does show us what they look like in action. One of the other ways that we can get a clearer understanding of words in the Bible is to see how they are used in scripture.
From the Greek definitions given, and from the way the word is used in Scripture, we can begin to understand a few things about humility.
Humility is…
A godly disposition that gives one an ability or willingness to take a lower position so that others may be elevated 1Pe 3:18. I say godly disposition because human nature is one of self-preservation & self-promotion. Humility goes against human nature, but it closely aligns with God’s nature.
Humility is...
A godly disposition that gives us an ability or willingness to submit our own will to and for the higher authority & purposes of God.
Humility is...
A godly disposition that replaces a self-serving mindset or attitude with that of servanthood.
This sort of godly disposition of humility was very much present in the Life of Jesus. Consider his life of humility.
Body
His Rulership In Heaven Was One Of Humility
Before the world was ever formed and created, Jesus submitted himself to the cross. In Rev 13:8, Jesus is referred to as " the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” It is written about Jesus in 1Pe 1:20 that "He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
This means that the cross was not an accident. The cross was not God’s reactionary decision to man’s sin. It was the plan of God all along.
This is important, because somewhere back in eternity past Jesus humbly accepted the mission and plan of redemption.
Some have asked, "How could a loving Father send His only Son to suffer and die on behalf of sinful people?” While on the surface this may sound like a good question, it misses the point that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” Out of Love for us, The Father sent Jesus. It also misses the fact of Jesus’ own willful choosing to come and die. Jesus did not come kicking and screaming. He came with the same love for us that the Father had. Jesus stated in John 10:18, "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
It was a willful choosing. It was a choice that Jesus made while He ruled as King of Heaven. This is one of the amazing facts of Christianity that sets it apart from all other religions. What other god has loved or given so much.
What other deity became man to endure human suffering in order to know and understand human weakness and suffering? What other deity loved humanity so much that he or she was willing to die in their stead. No one!
Search the history books. No such god or deity ever existed outside the God of the Bible.
Truths such as these is what caused the psalmist to shout the question, "Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things in heaven and on earth (Psalm 113:5-6)?
He didn’t just behold the earth…He came to earth in the person and embodiment of Jesus. He loved us and gave himself for us. We are exhorted to be like Him.
His Incarnation Was One Of Humility - He emptied himself (Php 2:7).
Although he was King/God, he emptied himself of all the rights & privileges of being God & King. He became man…the lowest of men…a bondservant servant…the lowest of servants.
His Birth & Birth Place Was One Of Humility - in a manger/in Bethlehem
Mica 5:2: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” His birth place was a seemingly insignificant place. His birth was one of humility. Mary brought forth her son and laid him in a manger (Lk 2:7).
His Life Was One Of Humility
He became a servant Php 2:7: "but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant.” There were 8 words that Jesus lived his entire life by: "I come to do thy will oh God” (Ps 40:7;Heb 10:7.9). Only a humble person can submit their entire will and life to God. Jesus did this.
"I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (Jn 5:30).
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will” (John 6:38).
His Speech Was The Speech of Humility
"What Jesus so often taught was true about himself” (Andrew Murray, Humility) He taught humility and the bible tells us that Jesus humbled himself. You can often tell whether or not a person is humble by their speech. Listen to the words of Jesus. Hear his humility.
"The Son can do nothing by himself” (John 5:19).
"By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me” (John 5:30).
"I do not accept praise from men” (John 5:41).
"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will” (John 6:38).
"My teaching is not my own” (John 7:16).
"I am not here on my own” (John 7:28).
"I can do nothing on my own” (John 8:28).
"I have not come on my own; but He sent me” (John 8:42).
"I am not seeking glory for myself” (John 8:50).
"The words that I say to you are not just my own” (John 14:10).
"These words you hear are not my own” (John 14:24).
His Trial Was One Of Humility
Isa 53:7 states, He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
Mr 14:61: But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Mr 15:3Â And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4Â Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” 5Â But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
I mentioned earlier that humility is a Godly disposition - because human nature is one of self-preservation & self-promotion. Humility goes against human nature, but it closely aligns with God’s nature. Jesus did not seek the route of self-preservation. He sought the way of humility. He let his own
life and actions defend him.
His Death Was One Of Humility
"He endured the cross despising the shame” (Heb 12:2).
His Resurrection Was One Of Humility
He did not seek to bring attention to his resurrection. He revealed himself to his disciples and those who believed (Ac 1:3). He could have taunted his killers. He could have done many things to prove his position as Lord and Messiah; yet, He submitted himself to do only what his Father had asked him to do.
His Ascension Was One Of Humility
He humbled himself… therefore God exalted him to the highest place (Php 2:8-11). It could be stated that the ascension of Jesus was the result of his humility.
Conclusion
The life of Jesus is a lesson on humility and what God will do in our life if we will humble ourselves.Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1Peter 5:6