Topic: humility

Jesus frequently taught that whoever would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven must be the servant of all in our lives. Jesus Himself modeled this life of service for us, perfectly fulfilling the prophecy we find in Isaiah 53 of God’s servant who takes upon Himself God’s rightful punishment (death) for the sins of all mankind. Jesus Himself said that He offered Himself as a ransom for many. So, since we have this perfect model of servitude shown to us by our LORD, we must also humble ourselves and become servants of all.

Jesus taught frequently about exalting the humble and humbling the proud. Indeed in Mark 10:45, Jesus proclaimed this about Himself – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus set the example for His disciples in the way He lived His earthly ministry, and ultimately in offering His own life in our place – taking the rightful judgment for our sins upon Himself in the ultimate act of humility.

God’s people Israel certainly didn’t expect their long-awaited Messiah to come as such a humble “Servant King,” but Mark’s gospel makes clear that Jesus perfectly fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy about God’s Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), while John the Baptizer served as the messenger sent by God to prepare the way before Him as foretold by Malachi 3:1.

In His so-called “Great Commission” found in Matthew 28, Jesus calls us to go and make disciples. But to make disciples, we must first be disciples. What does being a disciple entail?