Humility

Luke 1:38 (KJV) Says, "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." Luke 2:7 (KJV) Says, "And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room at the inn." Mark 6:3 (KJV) Says, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judah, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." John 13:5 (KJV) Says, "After he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." Mark 10:49 (KJV) Says, "And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee."

Jesus set the greatest example of humility that can ever be demonstrated, and each of the above verses of scripture support that truth. There are, of course, many other passages of scripture that demonstrate that Jesus walked in humility, but for now let's have a close look at these. In the first verse I chose, Luke 1:38, Mary calls herself a handmaid of the Lord, and the definition of the word handmaid is servant. God could have chosen anyone to give birth to Jesus, and he chose a servant. He could have selected someone of royalty to carry Jesus and give birth to him, but he chose a humble servant instead. Then in Luke 2:7, we are told that Mary gave birth to Jesus, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. God could have had Jesus born in a castle, laid in the most comfortable crib of the time, and arrayed him in royal apparel, but instead everything about his birth was humble. He was wrapped in swaddling clothing, which is defined as narrow bands of cloth formerly wrapped around a newborn child to restrain its movements and quiet it. He was then laid in a feeding trough filled with hay located in a manger. Jesus Christ came into the world in the humblest fashion.

Mary's husband Joseph was a carpenter, and this was considered a humble trade. In Mark 6:3 and in other verses in the Bible we read that Jesus too was a carpenter. God could have placed Jesus any position in lieu of a carpenter, but this was one more example of humility. Then in the verse taken from the book of John, we find Jesus the Son of God washing the feet of the disciples. I don't think it gets more humble than that, and he did this to set an example for us as to how we are to behave toward one another.

Finally in Mark 10:49 we see that Jesus stood still for a poor, blind, helpless beggar who could do absolutely nothing for him. His disciples were trying to quiet the man as he was calling out for Jesus, but Jesus stopped, and healed him. Jesus, the Son of Almighty God stopped to heal a poor, blind helpless beggar, and yet in today's world there are many people who have no problem whatsoever ignoring those in need.

Jesus set the greatest example of humility that will ever be demonstrated. He never behaved as though he was high above the people around him even though he is the Son of Almighty God. He served others with a spirit of humility. He went about teaching, preaching, healing, and performing miracles for people, and he demonstrated love, compassion, understanding, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, and many more great character traits which we as Christians are to also practice.

Do you walk in humility? or Do you hold yourself in high esteem? Do you demonstrate a concern for others, and their well-being? Have you crossed paths with someone in need that you could have helped, but in lieu of standing still and helping them you chose to walk on by? Are you high maintenance and so proud of it that you don't hesitate to brag to others about it? Do you feel and act as though you are entitled? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I urge you to take note of the example Jesus Christ, the Son of God, set in humility. I encourage you to recognize that we are all equal in the eyes of God, that we are all his children, that he loves each of us equally, and to exchange your proud spirit, and your sense of entitlement for a large dose of humility. If Jesus Christ himself walked in humility, then who are we not to follow suite?

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message, and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.