The Humility of Christ

The Humility of Christ

April 19, 2009

Introduction

Last Sunday we talked about the events on the road to Emmaus and what followed after the two arrived with Jesus. It was a time of renewed energy and hope. The depression and despair had been replaced with excitement and joy. It was in some respects, the peak of the story. There is much to be said about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ that we did not get into last Sunday.

As Paul was writing to the church at Corinth, he said: "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Cor 2:2 NKJV)

This morning, we want to discuss further the events surrounding Christ crucified. Turning over to near the end of the book, we find this passage:

(1 Cor 15:1-4 NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, {2} by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. (3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

As Paul was writing, he said that the humility of Christ was directly tied to Christ willingness to be crucified for us.

Body

I. Humility was part of Christ’s way of life.

A. Paul wrote of Christ’s humility and His obedience as being coupled together.

(Phil 2:5-8 NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, {6} who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, {7} but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. {8} 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.

B. Christ had led a very humble life.

1. He was born in very humble circumstances.

2. He lived in very humble circumstances.

(Mat 8:19-20 NKJV) Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." {20} And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

3. He died with basically the clothes on His back.

(Mat 27:35 NKJV) Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."

C. He humbled Himself as He washed the disciples feet.

(John 13:2-17 NKJV) And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, {3} Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, {4} rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. {5} 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. {6} Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" {7} Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." {8} Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." {9} Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" {10} Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." {11} For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." {12} So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? {13} "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. {14} "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. {15} "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. {16} "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. {17} "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

1. Washing feet was the role of the lowest servant.

2. Jesus said He had done it as a lesson.

(John 13:14) "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

II. Christ was humble at His trial.

A. He made no attempt to defend Himself.

(Mark 15:3-5 NKJV) And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. {4} Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, "Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!" {5} But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

B. He obviously did not try to save His life.

(John 10:17-18 NKJV) "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. {18} "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

C. His making no defense had been prophesied of Him.

(Isa 53:7 NKJV) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

III. Humility is expected of every one of us.

A. It was a statement by Christ.

(Mat 23:11-12 NKJV) "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. {12} "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

B. It is a statement made by Peter,

(1 Pet 5:5-6 NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." {6} Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

C. And it is the example of Christ.

(John 13:14) "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. {15} "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. {16} "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. {17} "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Conclusion

I. We live in a world or arrogant people.

II. As God’s people we are to be submissive to God, and submissive to each other.

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