Dear Christian friends:
Only a Christian can be truly humble. Some people who do
not believe in Jesus may think and say that they are
humble, but deep in their heart they are very proud. We
say that they are proud of their humility. Jesus said
the Pharisees were like that. Many holy men and women
of false faiths are like that. But true humility is a
blessing only God can give to those who believe in His
Son Jesus Christ.
Humility is one of the greatest Christian virtues. It
is very necessary if we are to be of value and service
to our God. Pride has no value or service to God.
So we are not surprised that in the Bible we are admonished
and urged to be humble. Our text this morning urges us
to:
Be Humble Like Jesus
How humble was Jesus? We just read for Palm Sunday and saw
how Jesus came riding into the city on a donkey. Not a full
grown donkey but a foal or daughter of a mother donkey. In
olden times when a King rode into a city in a parade He
came riding in a chariot pulled by strong and beautifully
decorated horses. But on the first Palm Sunday Jesus rode
into the city on a cheap daughter donkey. That's like if
President Johnson rode into St. Paul in a Ford Falcon instead
of a big, black Cadillac.
Why did Jesus ride on the humble donkey? To impress the
people that His kingdom was not like the kingdoms and
governments of this world. In our worldly kingdoms pride,
power and force rules. But in Jesus' kingdom humility
wins and rules.
You know the story of the Pharisee and the Publican. If we
are to join Jesus' kingdom we must know and confess our
sins and worthlessness before God and humbly accept His
mercy and forgiveness. And then humbly love and forgive
others.
Jesus shows us true humility by His life and death in this
earth as Paul says in our text. (Read and explain.)
"In your relationships with one another, have the same
mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature
of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Therefore God 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." (Philippians 2:5-11)
Before He died Jesus told the twelve disciples who were
proud and quarreling about getting exalted and honor in
His kingdom, "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 10:45)
This Holy Week we remember how He humbly suffered and died
for our sins. On Thursday He even washed the disciples'
feet.
Now Paul says we are to be like Jesus, "In your relationships
with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:"
(Philippians 2:5) So often we are proud and self-righteous
and look down on others and despise them. If two have a
quarrel neither one will make the first offer of forgiveness
and peace. Both turn their backs and are stubborn: "He sinned
first; I will not forgive until he first apologizes to me."
That's not like Jesus. God through Jesus made the first
offer of forgiveness and peace to sinful man. Man did not
come to God seeking peace. But God came to Man. Jesus said,
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you." (John 15:16)
Yes, in giving His only Son on the cross God made the first,
second and third offer of forgiveness and peace to a
rebellious and stubborn world of sinners.
So don't you proudly and stubbornly wait for your husband
or wife to make the first offer of forgiveness and peace.
Swallow your pride and yourself and go first and offer
forgiveness and peace. The same with a brother or sister in
the Church. Do the same in church work.
Don't worry if you swallow your pride and make the first
offer, God will exalt you in His own time and way as He
did with Jesus Christ. (read text)
And Jesus says of you and me, "He that humbles himself
will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)
Amen.