BROKENNESS
The Old Testament connects humility with the experience of Israel’s slavery in Egypt – a poor, afflicted, suffering people. The New Testament idea is not far from this. The Greek that is translated “humility” or “humble” means “lowly” or “to make low.”
For example, Jesus said, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
The picture of humility, then, is to empty ourselves of prestige. We demote ourselves in status and become like kids (who were not worshiped in Jesus’ day as they are in ours). We become last among men.
Humility sounds good in writing. It even has a cool, subversive vibe. But to step into the reality of your world is to remember how contrary this is to your thinking. In so many ways we are accustomed to building ourselves up – proving our worth, impressing people, wanting to be noticed and honored. Ironically, we even hope to be recognized for our humility.
If you thought giving up TV or chocolate for Lent was hard, give up trying to get recognition or attention for a day. You will find that our desire to be lifted up is subtle and pervasive.
In a little book called The Way of the Cross, Roy Hession says, “Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts.” The imagery depicts us as those who must be low enough to receive what is poured out. To be made low, our will must be broken. We must know what it means to say, “not my will but yours be done,” and “not I, but Christ.” This is truly what is at the center of denying self.
How do we humble ourselves in this way? Hession goes on to write penetrating words about the self:
Lent is not a morbid denial of self, but rather a joyful discovery of Christ, who shows Himself in so many ways and places when we at last can see past ourselves.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 18
For example, Jesus said, "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).
The picture of humility, then, is to empty ourselves of prestige. We demote ourselves in status and become like kids (who were not worshiped in Jesus’ day as they are in ours). We become last among men.
Humility sounds good in writing. It even has a cool, subversive vibe. But to step into the reality of your world is to remember how contrary this is to your thinking. In so many ways we are accustomed to building ourselves up – proving our worth, impressing people, wanting to be noticed and honored. Ironically, we even hope to be recognized for our humility.
If you thought giving up TV or chocolate for Lent was hard, give up trying to get recognition or attention for a day. You will find that our desire to be lifted up is subtle and pervasive.
In a little book called The Way of the Cross, Roy Hession says, “Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts.” The imagery depicts us as those who must be low enough to receive what is poured out. To be made low, our will must be broken. We must know what it means to say, “not my will but yours be done,” and “not I, but Christ.” This is truly what is at the center of denying self.
How do we humble ourselves in this way? Hession goes on to write penetrating words about the self:
First of all, our proud self must be broken. Our own self must give up its rights. Our self is hard. It does not want to obey God. It likes to show that it is right. It wants to go its own way. It wants to claim all its rights. It always seeks glory for itself. The self must bow to God’s will. It must confess that it is wrong. It must give up it’s own way. It must obey the Lord Jesus. It must give up all its glory. Only in this way can the Lord Jesus have all and be all in our lives. We must die to self.
Lent is not a morbid denial of self, but rather a joyful discovery of Christ, who shows Himself in so many ways and places when we at last can see past ourselves.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 18
posted by Will | 10:41 AM
1 Comments:
"...we even hope to be recognized for our humility." This post truly spoke to me.. I do have a desire to be recognized for being humble, because today I know that I am not humble.. To be honest, I never put the two together.. It's almost like an oxymoron - i want to be recognized for being humble... WOW -- so now that I have my new bumber sticker... to His Glory ~ Lisa
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