We don't like the word "humiliated." It sounds like what happens when we make a mistake and look bad in the eyes of others. But Jesus purposely humiliated Himself. He was the Lord of heaven and yet He became a servant on earth. He had all divine authority, and yet gave up the use of that divine authority whenever it would benefit Himself instead of others.
I am a prideful person. So often I want others to think well of me and I want to be known as a person who gets things done. Getting things done is not wrong, but to do so in order to get the praise is where I stumble. Many people are the same. I'm not alone. But to serve others and do things for the benefit of others is Christlike.
There are many great examples in my life and at our church of people who have learned that humility is strength. Saying your sorry is powerful. Admitting your need for God is foundational. As one of our Elders often says on Sunday mornings, "I'm just a sinner saved by grace."
The Bible is clear on this point. Pride and arrogance are hurtful and weak. Humility and repentance bring power and strength. It's counter intuitive to our natural selves, but wise and insightful in our redeemed spirits.
This is the core of our personal testimonies: admitting our sin and our need for God. What does it mean to share your faith? It means to share that you have faith in God's forgiveness through Christ, and that you need His forgiveness because of the messes you've made in life. The more open and humble I am about my past sins, the more glory God gets when I share how much He has forgiven me.
Lord, help me to be more humble today, like Jesus.
