Devotionals

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“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” ~ John 13:1-5

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ~ Phil. 2:5-11

Here’s an obvious piece of truth: Jesus was unlike us in every way.

I work at a place where there are two persons who have the most experience over all in what we do. Compared to them, I know nothing. So what’s the difference between them? The difference between the two is one is always trying to prove that he is in charge, while the other one is silent about such things. Who does everyone go to for a decision? They go to the one who is silent.

Another piece of Truth: Those who try to prove who they are, are actually trying to prove something they are not.

This is the definition of selfish ambition, which is borne of the insecurity of fear. This is the image of Satan, who wanted to be like the most High.

In John 13 it says something intriguing about Jesus. Before we see Jesus begin to wash His disciples’ feet it says that He knew three things:

1. He knew His hour had come, to serve the Father, on the cross.
2. He knew what His Father had given Him; the power to do His Father’s will.
3. He knew where He came from and where He was going. We do not need to talk about that.

Jesus was secure with Himself; He had no identity issues. One of the amazing things about the Gospels is that they tell a story about a Man who was pretty much silent about Himself. Others proclaimed who He was because of what He did, not because of what He said.

Knowing He was the king He did not seek to be in charge.
Knowing He was the Lord He had no problem serving.
Knowing He was the Truth He did not have to cite references for what He taught.
Knowing He was the Life He had no problem facing death.

Humility is knowing oneself and not seeking to prove it or to prove the contrary. Humility is being oneself quietly, genuinely. Humility comes from an accurate assessment of who one is.

The most insecure kind of men are those trying to prove they are men. We call them “macho”.

However humility can be achieved with a legitimate relationship with the Biblical God. When one knows who Jesus is the believer realizes who they are and who they are not. When one is genuine with Someone they cannot see, they then can be genuine with those they do see.

Some say Jesus lowering Himself to be like a servant is like us lowering ourselves to be like an amoeba. Actually that does not even come close to His condescension from heaven. For us to become like an amoeba is actually a limit we can see. On the other hand, what Jesus did in coming to earth to die for us was of an infinite measure, because He is God. His ways, compared to our ways, are higher than the heavens.

Now consider this: the Lord came, not to be like man, but to be less than man, though He deserved our submission. He did not come to be God or man. He came to be the Lamb of God, for man. We have a natural tendency to try to be god, though it is very clear that we are not. As said before, Jesus was unlike us in every way.

But here’s hope: We can be like Jesus, where we can know our identity, which sounds a lot like His own. In a certain way, we can be like Jesus, in that:

1. We can know that our hour has come, to serve the Lord, by living for Him alone, to serve others.
2. We can know what the Father has given us: Jesus, who is our Authority to do the Father’s will.
3. We can know where we came from and where we are going. We do not need to talk about that.

Then we will be humble, like Jesus. Such a mindset makes no room for selfish ambition.

© 7-7-09

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