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.
and