Philippians 2:1-11
Imitating Christ's Humility
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
C. S. Lewis wrote this about being humble...“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody...Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him...If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily...He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”...
So after reading this, I want to reflect on Lewis’ thoughts and think about Jesus’ humility...
Jesus was the most humble man whoever walked the earth...He is Divine, and yet He can and still be humble as He dwelt among us two thousand years ago...As God, Jesus possessed all power and authority...Yet, He chose to humble Himself, taking on human form, experiencing limitations, and ultimately sacrificing Himself for humanity...He did not use any of His Divine Power's to His advantage...This act of self-emptying, as described in Philippians 2:5-8, is the pinnacle of humility...
Jesus consistently demonstrated humility through His acts of service...He washed the feet of his disciples, ministered to the sick and marginalized, and ultimately gave His life as a ransom for many...He prioritized the needs of others above His own, embodying the essence of selfless service...Jesus's ministry was entirely focused on others...He sought to bring healing, comfort, and hope to the broken and lost...He challenged the religious and social structures of His time, advocating for the marginalized and marginalized...
While Lewis's description of a humble person resonates, Jesus's humility transcended human limitations...He demonstrated a Divine Humility, a selfless LOVE that extended beyond human understanding...His life serves as a powerful example of how true humility, rooted in love for God and for others, can transform lives and change the world...Let us have the same humbleness mindset of Jesus...