JESUS, OUR EXAMPLE IN HUMILITY AND MEEKNESS

 

  1. Introduction: Every human being asks these questions:  Why am I here?  What is my purpose?  You are here, you exist, because God wants you.  He created you for a purpose and a destiny.
  2. God created humans to become His sons and daughters who live in loving relationship with Him, as we reflect His character and glory to the world around us. This our purpose and our destiny.
  3. Jesus, in His humanity, is the pattern for God’s family. Rom 8:29—God knew his people in advance and he chose them to become like his Son (NLT); to bear the family likeness (Phillips).
  4. Jesus is God become man without ceasing to be God (John 1:1; John 1:14). While on earth, He lived as a man, a son of God, who reflected His Father to the world around Him.
  5. Jesus is the standard for Christian behavior—both our character and our behavior (I John 2:6) Character is the sum total of features and traits that form an individual. Your character is governed by your standard of right and wrong and expressed through your behavior.
  6. You don’t become Jesus or get absorbed into Jesus. Jesus doesn’t replace you.  You are restored to the unique you that you were created to be before sin damaged God’s family.
  7. You become a son or daughter of God who perfectly expresses the character of the Perfect Son, Jesus, in every thought, word, motive, and action. In doing so, you bring glory to God.
  8. The most important thing you can do with your life is to growing increasingly Christlike in your character and behavior, so that you accurately represent the Lord to the world around you. This is your created purpose, your calling, your ministry.  And, we have more to say in tonight’s lesson.

 

  1. When Jesus was on earth, He called people to follow Him. To follow Jesus meant to seek to be like Him, to imitate Him (Matt 9:9; Matt 16:24; John 13:15).  The Greek word that is translated follow is used seventy-seven time in the gospels of following Jesus.
  2. In connection with following Him, Jesus said this about Himself: Matt 11:28-30—Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (gentle) and lowly in heart (humble), and you shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (KJV).
  3. Come unto me is another way of saying follow me, seek to be like me. Take my yoke on you means to submit to me and my teachings.
  4. Learn of me means to learn from study, inquiry, and observation. It has the idea of not only of learning truths, but learning the person, not just for knowledge’ sake, but to apply what you see so that you live and walk differently than those who don’t know and follow Him.
  5. You’ll find rest because my yoke (example and teaching) fits well since this is what you were created for—to be like me, a son who reflects your heavenly Father’s character and glory.
  6. Jesus was assuring His followers that serving me won’t weigh you down because it’s the place of ultimate peace, happiness, and fulfillment for a human being. And my burden (or load) is light.
  7. By the time Jesus came into this world, Israel’s religious leaders had come up with 613 specific rules (added to God’s Law) which men and women had to obey to follow the Lord.
  8. Jesus summed up God’s true commandments in two: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-40).  To love God means obey His moral law (His standard of right and wrong).  To love others means to treat them as you wish to be treated.
  9. Note the first that thing Jesus said in Matt 11:28-30, in connection with learning of Him, was: I am meek and humble.  Humility and meekness were Jesus’ chief character traits.
  10. We think of humility as not bragging about ourselves, or feeling humiliated because of our sins, faults, and failures. And we think of meekness as being timid or fearful.  But that can’t be the case because Jesus had no sin and He was never afraid.  Yet He was meek and humble.
  11. Humility literally mean lowliness of mind. It recognizes its true relation to God and others.
  12. Humility is complete dependence on God and realizes that without Him I am nothing (Gal 6:3), have nothing (I Cor 4:7), know nothing (I Cor 8:2), and can do nothing (John15:5).
  13. However, humility toward God is nothing if it is not expressed toward others, meaning not only do I see myself as a servant of God, but also as a servant of men (more on this later).
  14. Meekness means gentleness. It is the choice to control your reactions to others.  In Jesus’ day, meek had the idea of standing between two extremes—getting angry without reason or not getting angry at all.  Meekness indicated a strong man’s choice to control his reactions in submission to God.  It is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest.
  15. Being humble and meek isn’t automatic for humans. Jesus said:  If anyone desires to come after Me (follow Me), let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me (Matt 16:24. NKJV).
  16. To follow Jesus means to deny self or turn from the inclination to put yourself above God and above others. Human beings are born with a tendency to put ourselves first.
  17. We pointed out last week that Adam (and man in Adam) was created to be God centered, focused on, dependent on Almighty God, his (our) Creator for everything.
  18. When Adam ate from the forbidden tree (Gen 3:1-6), he chose independence from God by deciding for himself what is right and wrong rather than listening to God, his Creator.
  19. Adam acted contrary to his nature (God centered) and his choice corrupted (degraded, spoiled) his original created condition. He became self-centered and self-focused.
  20. His choice of independence from God affected the race within him. All human beings are born with an inclination to put self above God, born self-centered rather than God-centered.
  21. We weren’t created to be self-centered. When we act this way, we are acting contrary to our created nature and purpose.  This is a primary reason why there is so much misery in human interaction.  We try to rule over each other (exalt ourselves) which produces conflict and pain.
  22. Jesus died to change the focus of our lives from self to Him and others: II Cor 5:15—(He) died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves.  Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them (NLT).
  23. Jesus died to restore humility and meekness to God’s family. Meekness and humility are the opposite of self-centered, self-exalting, selfish.
  24. There is another name for self-exaltation which expresses itself in self-centeredness and selfishness: pride. Pride is at the root of all sin and every evil.  Pride is the opposite of humility and meekness.
  25. Satan, the first rebel in the universe, was cast out of Heaven because of pride. There’s a lot of mystery in what happened between Satan and the Lord.  But we can learn important points about pride (exalting self) from what is revealed.  (Mystery is something not yet revealed to us.)
  26. The word Satan means adversary. His name was originally Lucifer, which means brightness.  Lucifer was a cherub (a mighty guardian angel) created by God.  Note these passages:
  27. Ezek 28:12-17—You were the perfection of wisdom and beauty…blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day…your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor (NLT).
  28. Isa 14:12-14—How you are fallen…For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars…I will preside on the mountain of the gods…I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High’ (NLT).
  29. All of Satan’s beauty and wisdom came from Almighty God. Yet Satan took credit for it and exalted himself above God.  Note also that he corrupted himself by not acknowledging his true position before God.  And, notice that at the center of his rebellion is self—I will, I will, I will.
  30. When Satan tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in Eden, his words carried the poison of self-exaltation. He said:  If you disobey God’s command not to eat from the tree “you will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil” (Gen 3:5, NLT).  In other words, you can decide for yourselves what is right and wrong.  You don’t need Him.
  31. Self-exaltation expresses itself in rebellion against God. The essence of sin is choosing your way above God’s way which is pride or exalting self.  We are all born with this inclination.

 

  1. But we get insight into what humility and meekness look like in a follower of Jesus from some things that Paul the apostle wrote. Paul’s passion was to become increasingly like his Master, the Lord Jesus.

1    In the context of how to treat people, Paul wrote:  Pattern after me (Paul), follow my example, as I imitate and follow Christ (I Cor 11:1, Amp).  Note what Paul wrote about humility.

  1. Phil 2:5-9—Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.  He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.  And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on the cross…Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name (NLT).
  2. Note that Jesus found His glory in taking the form of a servant. And so it is with us.  Jesus said:  Matt 23:11—Whosoever would be greatest among you, shall be your servant (KJV).
  3. Humility is enlightened self-interest. You don’t try to act humble to get a reward.  You recognize that this is what you were created for.  You realize that it brings glory to God your Father and that it is the path of greatest satisfaction for a human being.
  4. Note what Paul was talking about just before he wrote the passage about being humble like Jesus. He wrote:  Phil 2:3-4—Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself; Don’t think only about your own affairs but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing (NLT).
  5. Jesus lived on earth as a servant of God and a servant of man. Remember, when He washed His apostles’ feet, Jesus took the role of a servant.  His actions demonstrated an attitude of heart that is expressed through action—I am the servant of God and of my fellow man.
  6. Jesus said: You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right because it is true.  Since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you (John 13:14-15, NLT).
  7. Jesus went on to say: Believe me, the servant is not greater than his master and the messenger is not greater than the man who sent him.  Once you have realized these things, you will find your happiness in doing them (John 13:16-17, J. B. Phillips).
  8. Humility recognizes its true relation to God and others. You can’t be meek or humble if you don’t see yourself as a servant of God and your fellow man.  You were created for this.
  9. Possibly you’re thinking, yes, but I am smarter, better looking, more talented, more successful, better at handling the responsibilities of life (etc., etc.) than that person. I am better than them.
  10. Paul wrote: What make you better than anyone else?  What do you have that God hasn’t given you?  And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own (I Cor 4:7, NLT).
  11. Humility comes from realizing that without God I am nothing, I have nothing, I know nothing, and I can do nothing. And humility comes out of recognizing that every human being created by and known and loved by Almighty God—even in their fallen, lost condition.
  12. Every person has been created to become God’s son or daughter to bear the family likeness of the Perfect Son, Jesus. And even in their corrupted, flawed, lost condition, they still bear the image of God had have a purpose and destiny. Gen 9:6; James 3:9
  13. Paul also wrote: Eph 5:1-2—Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ (NLT).
  14. This love is an action rather than a feeling. You can love people you don’t like.  To love your fellow man means to treat them the way you want to be treated. Matt 7:12
  15. Jesus considered Himself a servant of the people whom God made and loves. And it influenced how He treated people.  Like His Father, Jesus was kind to the unthankful and the evil. Luke 6:35
  16. When Jesus was on trial the night before He was crucified, He was tormented and lied about by people He was going to die for the next day. Peter the apostle wrote:  Christ, who suffered for you, is your example.  Follow in his steps.  He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone.  He did not retaliate when he was insulted.  When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even.  He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly (I Pet 2:21-22, NLT).
  17. John the apostle wrote that while Jesus was hanging on the Cross, suffering and dying for His betrayers and accusers, and those people who were mocking Him, He prayed for them: Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34, NLT).

 

  1. Conclusion: We have much more to say in upcoming lessons, but let’s look briefly at a practical example of how being self-focused gets us into trouble, causes conflict, and is not glorifying to God.
  2. I Sam 25 records an incident in David’s life. David was anointed king of Israel’s while King Saul still sat on the throne.  Saul became very jealous of David and pursued him to kill him.  David, and men who were loyal to him, were hiding in a wilderness area known as Paran.
  3. While living in hiding, David and his men interacted with shepherds who worked for a wealthy man named Nabal. David’s men helped protect Nabal’s sheep from predators and bandits.
  4. When the shepherds went home to shear the sheep, David sent a message to Nabal: Peace and blessing to you.  Your shepherds were with us for a time, and we were good to them.  Now, we are asking for any provisions you can give us. I Sam 25:6-8
  5. This was an appropriate request in the culture of that day. Helping strangers was part of the Law of Moses, Nabal had plenty, and sheep-shearing was a festive time of sharing.
  6. Nabal’s response was totally self-focused: Nabal sneered:  Who does this son of Jesse (David) think he is…should I take my bread and water and meat…and give it to a band of outlaws who come from who knows where (I Sam 25:10-11, NLT).
  7. David’s reaction to Nabal was also self-focused: Nabal can’t do that to me.  A lot of good it did to help this fellow.  We protected his flocks in the wilderness, and nothing he owned was lost or stolen.  But he has repaid me evil for good.  May God deal with me severely if even one man of his household is still alive tomorrow morning. I Sam 25:21-22
  8. Nabal’s treatment of David was awful, sinful, but it didn’t free David from his responsibility to love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18). David was angry (a legitimate emotion), but he fed his anger with what he focused on and what he told himself (lessons for another day).
  9. Nabal’s wife, Abigail, heard was happening and intervened. She went to David, apologized

for her husband, and urged David not to act rashly.  He listened to her and no one died.

  1. We can probably all relate to what happened because we’ve been in David’s shoes. We were kind to someone and they acted selfishly and repaid us with evil.

a    We got angry (a legitimate emotion), but our anger drove us retaliate (step outside of love and treat them in a way that we wouldn’t like to be treated (Eph 4:26), in an un Christ like way.

  1. We must learn to deny self and follow Jesus’ example in humility and meekness. It’s a process, but with God’s help, it can be done.  We’ve got a lot to talk about in upcoming lessons.