In the past few devotions, we have looked at how Jesus was a model to us as believers on how to live. He demonstrated loving by meeting seemingly insignificant needs and accepting all people including those that others think are unimportant. Also, we have looked at how Christ is an example of study, using God’s word actively as a tool, and digging in deep to the study of God and his word. Today I want to look at another aspect of Christ, another way that he demonstrated how we should live as believers. I want to focus on Christ approach. Christ approached life and ministry with humility.

Christ was a humble man. In Isaiah where it foretold Christ coming it described him this way: “For he grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of the dry ground he had no form of majesty that we should look at him and no beauty that we should desire him.” Christ was unassuming in appearance, a very regular man.  He came as a human baby, weak, common, and helpless. He came in a fragile, human form. By this humble act he displays to us how we should approach life and ministry. 

Christ’s plans while he was alive was not to stand out for any of the reasons that we concern ourselves with standing out every day. He wasn’t the biggest, the most beautiful, or the most masterful figure. He didn’t have a Halo or shine with glory unlike many pictures depict him. No, he was a regular, common, and a humble man. He has called us to have the same humble attitude.  We don’t have to be a standout in the world’s eyes.  Christ hasn’t called us to be prideful.  We don’t have to be striking or beautiful. He calls us to a simple, humble, an unassuming approach. One that doesn’t promote us but instead promotes God.

Scripture confirms that indeed Christ’s approach and attitude was one of humility and that we ourselves are called to the same. In Philippians 2 it says” do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves…. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of man and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Through Christ humble birth, his taking on of a lowly feeble human form, by his submitting himself to God and God’s will, and in the way he walked humbly through the humiliation of his horrible death on the cross, he showed us true humility. He showed us how to consider others above ourselves. Like Christ we are called to do the same. 

Also, Jesus promoted God and not himself. We know he promoted God with the message he shared. John 12:26 says” I have declared to them your name”. Christ declared and showed God’s message, the acclaim of God’s name, and he did God’s will. This shows true humility. Not self-promotion, not seeking glory for yourself, but instead everything for God’s acclaim alone.

Another way we see humility modeled by Christ is that he humbled himself by ministering to the lowly. He wasn’t too proud to minister and witness to others who were despised or rejected by society. He didn’t just stay in the synagogue and seek power, riches, and acclaim. The number of miracles he did alone, the massive amount of followers that Jesus had, the power and authority with which he ministered would make it seem like he should have taken credit. Or that in the very least he should have somehow been compensated in some way. Yet that was not the case. He did not become proud or puffed up no matter how great his ministry was. He didn’t pat himself on the back and give himself credit but instead gave credit to God. 

He did not personally profit from the ministry that he selflessly demonstrated. He did not shout or declare “see what I have done” to exploit others and to gain something for himself. He could have, and many did during his day, but Jesus was not like them. The wealthy and influential spiritual leaders during his lifetime that practiced the exploitation of others for their own benefit calling it godly works Jesus called “hypocrites.” He told them that they followed the letter of the law, but they missed the spirit of it. He called them snakes and a brood of vipers. All the benefit, all the acclaim, all the glory is supposed to be for God and for him alone, not for you or any other man. Jesus knew this and he lived that way. Many people missed the point and didn’t understand. Yet Christ has shown us the right way.  “Humble yourself in the sight of a Lord, and he will lift you up.” 

Interestingly enough, the more Christ humbly loved, served, gave, and lived the more people were drawn to him. Wow, this contradicts what the world teaches us. Yet we see this principal of true humility so beautifully demonstrated by the life of Christ.

What does this mean for us as believers? It means that we should do the same. The name we are to declare is God’s. The glory that we give is to God and to him alone. The benefits that are received are for God and for his Kingdom. We shouldn’t concern ourselves with proving ourselves or showing how great God is using us. We are not to worry more about ourselves and what we want than what others need. We are not to follow our own will and our own way; we are to walk as God guides and leads. We should do as Christ did. We should live declaring God’s name, showing God’s love, and pointing others only to him.

I want to put a warning here. There’s another reason that you shouldn’t be proud. You see God opposes the proud. You do not want to be opposed by God. So, beware pride comes before a downfall. Stay humble.

I challenge you today, if you haven’t started living your life through this humble approach, that you would pivot and choose humility. Perhaps you’re already there, humbly walking forward. In that case keep on fighting the good fight. Remember there is a reward and also a consequence for this choice of being humble. As Christ declares in Matthew” whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” so whichever you choose, whether to follow the example of Christ or whether you do not, you will reap the reward for your choice. Choose humility, choose the way of Christ today.