Humility

Learning humility from Christ

Friend, we have an awkward word we never seem to fully grasp - "humility". 

To attempt to gain some traction, let’s consider Jesus and then the invocation I gave 1 6 25,  the day the Montana House of Representatives convened. 

Jesus, You came so ludicrously low! You, the Word-Made-Flesh, became an “in-fant”. “In” = “not-capable-of” + “fant” = “speech”! Impossible! 

In "Falling and Rising" G.K. Chesterton (1874 – 1936). wrote: 

In dread of such falling and failing

The fallen angels fell…

But too deep for their sight to scan, 

Outrushing the fall of man

Is the height of the fall of God - 

Glory to God in the Lowest. 

Jesus, during Your earthly ministry, the only time You tell us about Your heart, You say: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)

Still, when You came to earth, we are astonished that You chose despised Nazareth as Your home town. Coming from detested Nazareth was like coming from the rez – Naz-rez!  And, the New Testament repeatedly identifies You with Nazareth – some thirteen times! 

For example, at Your crucifixion, Pilate mocked You by writing an inscription for Your cross: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) What a joke!

And more, remarkably, even after Your glorious resurrection and ascension, You claimed derided Nazareth. When Paul, blinded by Your glory on the road to Damascus, cried out: “‘Who are you, Lord?’’, You replied: “‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting’”. (Acts 22:8) What humility to keep Your scars and Your despised hometown even in heaven.

W.E. Orchard (1877 – 1955) summarizes for us: “They gave Jesus a manger for a cradle, a carpenter’s bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them his Glory”. Wonder of wonders!

Now we turn to the invocation for the Montana House of Representatives. Before I prayed, I stated: "Leaders, your mission ahead has great potential. Scripture advises us to first of all to pray. I’ll use a prayer President Thomas Jefferson prayed the day of his first inauguration, March 14, 1801,

"Here is part of what Jefferson prayed: “Almighty God, You have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly beseech You to save us from pride and arrogance that we may prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will.” 

"Please join me in prayer. 

"God, as we consider Jefferson’s prayer we’re grateful for the wisdom that prompted him to “humbly beseech You to save us from pride and arrogance.” God, in substantial ways You heard his prayer. After his inauguration, Jefferson returned to his boarding house late for dinner, he took the only remaining seat at the far end of the table. Someone offered the newly inaugurated President a better seat near the fireplace. He refused. 

God, did You prompt his humility?

"And, God, help us remember other humble leaders – like Gandhi. When Gandhi needed to travel by train, he chose the overcrowded Third Class – with the poor – with animals. When asked why he traveled Third Class, he replied: “Because there is not a Fourth Class.”

Lord, what if we were known for our humility? Would You give us the humility of Christ?

“Now, Holy Spirit we pause to remember You motivated Solomon, James and Peter to tell us: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

"Still, Jefferson, humble on his inauguration day, was arrogant enough to cut out the portions of the Bible he did not like. God, he prayed better than he lived.

"Lord, by your grace, may we do more. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help us live out his prayer: “We humbly beseech You to save us from pride and arrogance that we may prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will.”

Friend, I ask you as I asked them to join me in praying: God, would You do this work among us?"

Steve Bostrom is the State Capital Minister for Helena, Montana