Jesus, the Pioneer of Humility

Intro
Is humility a virtue to grasp at and hold onto or is it like a commodity on a store's display window - fit to look at and talk about, but too costly to buy for oneself? The Greek and Romans would scoff at those labeled "humble of heart." They considered "being humble: a curse. Jesus, however, took the word and made a glow around the word "humility" or low-mindedness for His disciples.

The world's societies have changed in name only and for the most part still call humility a weakness or foolishness. Humility in a man is, for the most part, mocked at in the world.

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Humility and the desire for humility of mind separate many of the religious goers from the true Christians. Religions still operate according to the rules of selfishness of the flesh and pride. They might admire humility on the outward, but they disdain it inwardly.

The Asian people seem to have greatly valued humility and integrated it into their religions and society. We often forget that the Confucian society has molded the East Asian people for thousands of years. It dictated how one should respond to another depending upon their position to them. These rules defined proper etiquette and politeness. But again, this is how they act in front of each other. It is very different than what they might think of each other.

True humility comes from the heart rather than the law (1). This outward training is not bad but limited. They have the outward form but not the inward spirit. Jesus Christ showed the pathway to humility.

Paul in Philippians 2:3-11 give Christians three reasons why we should be humble in mind.

A. The Exhortation of the Apostle Paul (2:3-4)
B. The Exemplification of Jesus Christ (2:5-8)
C. The Encouragement of the Exaltation Principle (2:9-11)

A. The Exhortation of the Apostle Paul (2:3-4)

The Apostle Paul appointed by God commanded humility of mind by the unction of the Holy Spirit. Paul outlines two correct lenses for us to see this issue correctly.

1) First Corrective Lens: Correct View of Self

"Do Nothing from selfishness or empty conceit" (2:3)

Paul didn't limit this to any people or within any specific relationship. We need to put away that erroneous perspective that we are better or more deserving than another person. The correction lens is the scriptures.

a) We are like other men - mere mortals. The Gospel has brought blessed immortality, not us.
(For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him. It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean, and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear. This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:1-3).

b) We all are made by God's hand - all creatures. We are made of the same stuff -chemicals. (Genesis 1-2)

c) We all are sinners. We need to admit our weakness and flaws. Death has seized each of our throats.
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; (Romans 3:9-11).

2) Second Corrective Lens: Correct View of Others -

"...With humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself" (Philippians 2:3).

From the commandment of Jesus, we are told to love another as one would love himself. If we notice a competitive spirit, we only need to start serving the one we envy. Now we want them to win the competition! Paul commanded us to be humble. We need these two corrective lens:

B. The Exemplification of Jesus Christ (2:5-8)

In this passage, we see Jesus Christ, our Master, take three steps down. We, as His disciples, are to possess this same spirit. "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 2:5). We are not to take the same steps, but possess the attitude which will in our own lives lead to some difficult steps.

STEP #1 Gave up His right to glory (Phil 2:6-7a)

We can see this glory in Isaiah 45:5-8.

STEP #2 Took on the form of a man, a creature (Phil 2:7b-8a)

We can see this contrast in Isaiah 45:9-10.

STEP #3 In His righteousness, He voluntarily died the death of a cursed man. (Phil 2:8)

We can see this ultimate humbling in Isaiah 53:4-7.

Conclusion
Is not Jesus' example a good enough reason to be humble in mind especially when it is for for you His people He denied Himself for?

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:27).

C. The Encouragement of the Exaltation Principle (2:9-11)