The Humility of Jesus 2011 April
Who do you think is the most famous person in the world ever?
Let’s do a little survey, raise your hands if you have heard of someone called. . . .
Elvis
Hitler
Shakespeare
Rio Ferdinand
John Lennon
Charlie Chaplin
Winston Churchill
Q Elizabeth II
Michael Jackson
Madonna
David Beckham
Osama Bin Laden
Princess Diana
Nelson Madela
Ghandi
J F Kennedy
Jesus
Reasons why!
Many come to greatness through being beautiful; some because they are very talented, gifted or privileged; some because they are rich in industries like, computer ware, big business, air industry etc. ($74 bn) (1210 billionaires in the world)
Very few come to greatness by becoming small!
To be humble or small is not to think LESS of yourself, it is to think of yourself LESS.
Jesus, Mandela, Mother Theresa, Ghandi all fit into this category. There is no doubt that the person with the greatest influence over the ages was in fact Jesus.
Volunteer Sculptors:
Question Session: Sculptors at the ready!
Sculpt: hospital/slum
a) How many of us would want our babies to be born in a modern hospital with every instrument and medicine at hand, rather than in a slum in a built up area? BORROWED STABLE
Sculpt: comfort in bed/ a night on a park bench
b) How many of us would you rather lie in a comfortable bed each night with an interesting duvet, rather than on a bench in the park outside in all weathers? NOWHERE TO REST HIS HEAD
Sculpt: popular/unpopular person
c) How many of us would want cool friends who are really popular in life with good reputations, rather than make friends with down and outs and troublemakers? HE CARED FOR THE OUTCASTS
Sculpt: racehorse/donkey
d) How many of us would you rather ride a beautiful horse with a leather saddle rather than bareback on a small donkey? BORROWED DONKEY
Sculpt: pedicure/pamper
e) How many of us would you rather have a pedicure and a pamper session rather than work as a chiropodist seeing to other people’s feet and toenails? EXAMPLE AS A SERVANT
Sculpt: peaceful death/pain
f) How many of us want to die peacefully in bed with our family around us rather than die hurt and broken all alone? TORTURED AND EXECUTED
Sculpt: holding treasure/discarding rubbish
g) Jesus also had no grave. His body would have been tossed onto a common rubbish tip, if it had not been for a rich man who was kind enough to let him have his own. BORROWED TOMB
Dear God, Help us in the world to be kind and to serve others; to think of others before ourselves. Not for reward, not so others will think we’re good, not for recognition or a pat on the back; but because we care and we want to make our world a better place. Amen.