In order to live daily by the grace of God, we must be willing to walk in humility. “God … giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
The word of God offers extensive teaching concerning a life of humility. Moreover, in all of the Scriptures we will find no greater insight than that which pertains to Jesus, the ultimate example of humility.
Before He came to earth as a man, Jesus had existed throughout eternity past as deity, the eternal Son of God.
“Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2
Since He was God, claiming deity was not an inappropriate intrusion into another’s domain:
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Philippians 2:6
Although He would of necessity exist endlessly as God (even during His pilgrimage as a man), He did not go about independently exercising His Godhood:
Jesus “made himself of no reputation.”
Instead of manifesting all of His innate glory, He functioned as any human slave would: “took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” During His earthly ministry, He Himself would emphasize His servanthood role.
“Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
In His majestic salvation mission, Jesus, the Son of God, would voluntarily accept the path of humility.
“He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” This humility involved a yielding to the Father that was so extensive He would even embrace the most abhorrent death of all, a sin-atoning crucifixion.
In spiritual agony, He would pray, “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)
This humble surrender to the Father’s will is the path that our Lord calls us to walk. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
