Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.
How do you learn best? Many of us learn by watching someone else’s example. Without a model to follow, we could potentially get part of the task right, but the more complex the task, the more challenging it would be to only go off verbal instruction. One area we often need a model and example in is humility. Because our sinful nature is selfish and self-seeking, we have many more examples of narcissism than servanthood, many more examples of pride than humility. What is wonderful about our God is that He not only knows our brokenness, but He knows we can’t learn to live rightly on our own. Jesus came to earth not just to save us but also to show us the example of how to live in humility.
Hebrews 4:15-16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” When we struggle with pride or selfishness, we can look to our Savior and run to Him for help in our pursuit of humility.
- What are some specific ways Jesus lived on earth in humility?
- How does Jesus’s finished work on our behalf empower us to live humbly?
- Pray and thank God for the example of humility we have in Jesus.
