True Humility

For some time now, I have been greatly challenged by the teaching of Jesus about the topic of true humility. Jesus told everyone who was weary and burdened to come to Him and learn from Him, because He was ‘gentle and humble in heart’ (Matthew 11:28-30).

He went on to bring revolutionary teaching to His disciples about how to be spiritual leaders in the Kingdom of God. It was different from leadership in the world. “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28).

At the last supper he showed them how this was to be done by washing their feet - a job usually done by a household servant. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:14-15).

He taught people who were thinking that they were superior spiritually to others by saying, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14b).

He taught the crowds about the compassionate heart of God the Father, which was so unlike their hearts. He told a story about the labourers in the vineyard who couldn’t get work until the end of the day. The owner of the vineyard treated them with generosity and gave them more money than they had earned. Jesus warned, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).

Jesus told people at a wedding feast how they should not look for the best seats. “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).

The teaching of Jesus on how we should treat others in a kind and considerate way is simple, but it is the way of sacrifice and denying ourselves. We might be called to do without things so that others can enjoy them. That’s not so easy to do. It goes against our human nature. But Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

I had a little test of my heart attitude recently at a buffet meal. I was in the middle of the line going around the table, and I came to a plate of sliced meat. My favourite is roast beef, but there was only one slice. I felt challenged to leave it for someone else but it was so hard for me to do.  Nobody would have blamed me for having the last slice. I could see my struggle to do even this small act of self-denial, at so little cost to myself. I forced myself to do it because I felt it was the right thing to do, but I felt challenged that I still have a long way to go to truly be like Jesus and have His attitude of humility.