Humility

What is humility?
Lowering oneself; being downwardly mobile; being humiliated; becoming a rogue, a slave, a child, a punished-one; allowing God to reveal oneself in his own way, his own time

Jesus was humble in life and death
Passion:
Matthew 26:47-54;
Jesus made the choice to go to the cross, even though he didn’t have to
Humility: the choice of being downwardly mobile

Ministry:
Mark 1:23-26
Not choosing to let people know who he was—he let God do that for him

Jesus’ Teaching:
Mark 10:35-45
In leadership, we are to look to others—we do not “lord it over” but we are gentle. We force no one, we are violent to no one, we are the slaves of everyone

Matthew 18:1-4
Children are the lowest rung of society—no one listens to them, they have to obey everyone—even slaves. No one considers them to be of significance. We are to change and be humble like children.

Luke 14:7-11
We are to take the lowest place and allow God to raise us up. We are not to work for our own uplifting or exaltation or honor. Instead, we are to make the choice to be lower and allow God to raise us up.

Others in the New Testament:
Philippians 2:1-8
Jesus chose the low path, the low way. We are to chose the same. We exalt others above ourselves. We support them and be slaves to them. This is Jesus’ example. In this way, we will be exalted in due time—not by men, but by God.

Actions of Humility

• Do not give yourself or seek out titles. (Matthew 23:8-10)

• Do not look to be put in the places of honor.
(e.g. The best places at the table, the honored guest at a banquet, etc.)Luke 14

• Do not do actions to be honored by people. (Matthew 6:1-18)

• Do not seek to be the person at the center of attention. (James 3:1)

• Treat everyone equally, whether they look (or smell) nice or not. (James 2:1-7)

• Look for ways to serve the lowest of people. (Matthew 25:31-46)

• Go out of your way to be friendly with, to touch, to chat with, to be equal to the outcast. (Mark 1:40-42)

• If God is going to exalt you, don’t tell anyone—as much as you can—let God do it. (Mark 3:11-12)

• Submit to authorities when you can, even if you don’t have to. (Matthew 17:24-27)

• Do tasks that may seem to be demeaning, if they have to be done.

• Allow others to speak words of hatred and shame, and say nothing back. Don’t defend yourself, don’t return with a witty comeback. (Mark 14:55-61)

• If someone persecutes you, run away. (Matthew 10:23)