The Humility of Christ
The definition of promotion and increase in today’s world seems to include mandatory self-exaltation and cut throat tactics. Many people do not feel they can be used in a significant way unless it includes promoting oneself. But does that kind of promotion have eternal impact? Of course it does not. Promotion that does not happen at the hands of Godly humility is not promotion at all.
Jesus Christ was sent from the Throne of God to secure salvation for a depraved human race. To accomplish this unparalleled feat, He would have to “take upon Himself flesh and blood” and “taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:9,14) That was the greatest assignment ever put upon a person living within a human body. It would be easy to imagine that Christ could have and should have instantly been put on the greatest throne Earth could offer. But is that what happened?
Philippians 2:5-7 says, “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION and took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men.” This is the ultimate example of humility. The King of the universe arrived upon the planet that He designed and sought to excel in the hidden things of life. The One who engineered every element and every law of physics was now off His throne and in a regular household. The Architect of the cosmos and the Mastermind of the oceans was now going to spend the first 30 years of His life submitting to imperfect parents and civil authorities. The One who built the foundations of Heaven was now going to work in his dad’s carpentry business. The builder of forests was now building tables. The Great Physician, who attached every tendon and designed every neurological cell in the human body, is now carving spindles for wooden chairs. For 30 years the Miracle Man was living in excellence with zero recognition before He ever performed one miracle. That is worth noting.
Why didn’t Jesus arrive on the scene with great pomp and proclaim Himself King instantly? This is the reason: God has ordained all human flesh to be eternally promoted if and only if humility is present. Jesus had to submit to this plan as well. And if Christ could only be exalted after humility, why do we think we would be exempt?
Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory but in lowliness of mind…” Vainglory is when you try to promote yourself by demanding recognition and visibility. Vainglory is selfish ambition that believes your talents are of greater worth than your humble character. Lowliness of mind is when you delight in the excellent completion of a task regardless of the visibility that task brings to you. The benefit from selfish ambition will die with your body, but humble excellence in all things lasts for eternity.
Pastor Tim
Family Church Jamestown is a non-denominational church located in Chautauqua County in Jamestown between Lakewood and Busti, NY. The senior pastor of Family Church is Pastor Tim Stahlman a native to the Jamestown, NY area.
