Jesus said whoever wants to be great among you must become the least, whoever wants to be first must be the last, whoever wants to become great must become the servant of all. He didn't just say those words, He modeled them. The description of Jesus in Phil. 2:5-11 are my favorite of Christ's nature and heart. The image painted of Jesus as God emptying Himself, voiding His rights as God is unfathomable.
As I read these words, I'm drawn to Jesus. There is just something magnetic about Him. It's almost a picture of the hero who throws himself in the fray of battle. There's a big explosion. The enemy is defeated yet it appears our hero has given his life for the victory. Then suddenly, out of the ashes of ruin and destruction rises our hero. Everyone rushes to him as he stands victoriously over the rubble.
That inspires me. Forget Spiderman, I want to be like Jesus. Yet to be like Jesus means total humility. It means voiding myself of my wants, ways, agendas, and selfish spirit. Can I really do that? I confess, I'm a stubborn, selfish pig sometimes. I want what I want when I want it. I can be dogmatic, demanding, demeaning, manipulative, moody, etc. How do I empty myself like Jesus?
The answer: Practice being a servant. Become vulnerable. Wash some feet. Offer your time to help someone else. Turn over the remote. Let someone go ahead of you in line. Watch your neighbors kids so they can go to the store or on a date. Get a cup of coffee for your coworker. Find ways to express genuine concern for people around you.
Learning humility becomes a lifestyle. It is antithetical to our culture which says, "To become great climb over everyone you can, dominate, out maneuver, promote yourself." But Jesus said and modeled that you have to descend into greatness. Lord, thank you for promising to lift us up, to exalt us like you did Jesus when we humble ourselves in your eyes.
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