Faith makes all things possible . . . love makes all things easy.”—D. L. Moody
Another Easter has come and gone, and for a few weeks I’ll feel the desire for Jesus’ return a little more intensely. I want to see Him, to hear his voice, and feel the strength in His arms. I know from scripture He demonstrated humility throughout His earthly life.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29, NASB.)
There’s an interesting story about President Harry Truman. When he was elected in 1948, the Washington Post hung a sign outside of their offices that read, “Welcome home from the crow eaters.” They had endorsed the Republican ticket. The Post also telegrammed President Truman to suggest a gala dinner where everyone who had predicted his election loss would eat crow and wear sack cloth, and the President would be served turkey and wear a white tie. Truman declined and pursued a policy of working with all parties to solve the country’s issues. He offered grace.
To “eat crow” means to become submissive and apologetic, when admitting an error, or when an apology is enforced after one commits a wrong, as in the case of the Washington Post editors wrongfully predicting the election loss of President Truman.
The phrase “to eat humble pie” means the same thing. The phrase comes from the United Kingdom. In the 14th century, a meal consisting of the heart, liver, and entrails of an animal was known as numbles, and later, umbles. The master ate the best cuts of meat, while the servants made do with “umbles.”
One of my favorite Bible passages about Jesus’ humility is recorded in John 13:1-11, the Last Supper. He washes the disciples’ feet, full knowing He is God’s eternal Son (see v. 3.)
I have participated in foot-washing services. If you ever have a bone to pick with a brother, just wash his feet and it will disappear! It is a humbling experience, and it reminds me of how much God has forgiven me, and continues to forgive me, not because of my efforts, but because Jesus paid my price on the Cross. The more I mature as a Christian the more I realize how much I fall short, the more I am “poor in spirit.”
I’ve been reading the Sermon on the Mount, especially the Beatitudes. These counter-cultural blessings (the word Beatitudes comes from the Latin word for “happiness” or “blessing”) paint a picture of Jesus, and the humility He demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry, and I plan to study this portion of scripture more closely. These character traits described by our Lord tell me where my heart needs to head, but only by the power of the Spirit. I want to become more like Jesus, and though I won’t meet His perfection in this life, His Spirit works in me to guide me in that direction.
The Beatitudes also tell me how the Spirit is changing me, in attitude and action. Jesus commanded those who follow Him to walk in humility. The culture of the Greco-Roman world despised this trait, but Jesus taught a different way: in God’s eyes, humility has great value.
“And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. So, whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-4, NASB.)
Paul urged us to live humility out in our everyday lives. I don’t have an option.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” (Philippians 2:3, NASB.)
When I go to the grocery store, as I drive down the road, as I take a walk in my neighborhood, I’m to practice humility in everything. This does not mean to live “doormat Christianity,” and let people walk on you, but choosing forgiveness is strength.
But this is contrary to my sin nature. I don’t always get this right. I try. The wonderful thing is, I don’t have to do this in my own strength. God gives His grace, that is, His power. The Holy Spirit enables me at the point of need to act in a manner pleasing to God.
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NASB.)
Do I offer this same grace to others, to the broken, the hurting, the doubting, the marginalized, the skeptical, and the searchers? I don’t pray enough for God to bring them into my life or to church. When I see a new person in church, I don’t always make a point of greeting them. Humility is not an option.
When I suffer trials, sometimes I complain, “Why me?” But why not me? Everything in my life happens under the loving, watchful eye of God. Humility is vertical as well as horizontal.
“Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him? Who has appointed Him His way, and who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?” (Job 36:22-23, NASB.)
God’s love doesn’t stop when we are broken or suffering.
“I have become absolutely convinced that neither death nor life, neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth, neither what happens today nor what may happen tomorrow, neither a power from on high nor a power from below, nor anything else in God’s whole world has any power to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 8:38-39, PHILLIPS.)
When the Spirit-empowered Word is preached, it has the power to awaken unbelievers to Christ and His Gospel. My pastor preaches Biblical, insightful messages every Sunday worship. My heart is often stirred, and I take notes and re-read them, sometimes leading to “scripture trails” through the Bible during the week. I must be faithful to pray for him regularly. He’s a man of flesh and bone, and suffers frustrations, struggles, illnesses, disappointments like we all do, and he needs to know he’s appreciated.
On Easter Sunday, Pastor John challenged us with the story of Mary outside the tomb on the morning Jesus arose (John 20:11-18.) She was distracted and didn’t recognize the Lord until He spoke to her. Pastor reminded us that “Easter invites us to not only see Him for who He is, but to rightly see ourselves in the light of Him.”
I’m going to go deeper into my study of the Beatitudes. There’s more for me to learn.
Selah.