Enter the Humility Gate

As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem and the cross, knowing the suffering that He would have to endure there, He submitted his desires and will to his Heavenly Father’s will.  That is true humility. 

Philippians 2:6-8 describes the humility of 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!”

If you had the choice of living equally with God in heaven, or being asked to sacrifice your life for others on earth, which would you choose?  If you deserve to be treated as royalty, would you accept being treated like a servant without complaint?  How do you respond when treated poorly?  That’s why humility is one of the hardest things for us humans.

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was built on the site where Jesus was born. Every tourist must stoop to enter it.  The main entrance is so low that only a small child can enter it without bending over.  The door was designed to prevent medieval warriors on horseback from riding into the sanctuary to slaughter Christians there.  That danger no longer exists, but the low door has not been raised.  You must bow down to enter the place where the Savior was born as a lowly human.  This is known as the “Humility Gate.”  It reminds everyone who enters, no matter what their status in life, that they must enter into the presence of God humbly. 

During these weeks before Jesus’ suffering and agonizing death, we need to get down on our knees or bow our hearts humbly before the Master.  Have you ever considered God’s humility through the Son’s life?   God’s Son became human in a poor, humble scene in a barn or cave, not in a castle or fine medical facility.  Jesus served sinners and unloved outcasts like Zaccheus.  He called himself a shepherd - an occupation that was looked down upon by middle-class folks because shepherds were dirty, ceremonially unclean, and thus not allowed to worship in the temple.  Shepherds were not allowed to testify in a court of law, because everyone knew that shepherds were untrustworthy thieves.

Jesus was the "Good Shepherd" who associated with the despised, the leper, the prostitute, fraudulent tax collectors and the Samaritan.  Jesus reminds us, “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12)  Like a slave, He washed the disciples’ feet, which was the lowest act of service that one could imagine.

During these weeks of Lent, may we enter through the Humility Gate, as we recall the Master’s humility.