But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor. (Heb. 2:9)
When I was a kid, I loved to win. And I hated to lose. In fact, I was so obsessed with winning I would often make up new rules to the game we were playing to ensure I did. Our culture is kind of like that too. The goal of life is to be on top, to have the most or the nicest things, to be the best.
Before Jesus came to Earth in human-form, he was on top, higher than anyone could ever strive to be. However, he lowered himself down to our form, and then even further, he lowered himself down to humiliation and death on a cross. As followers of Christ, are we following the way he lived when we strive to be the best? This is not to say we should not do our best or that we should condemn success. Humility is a matter of the heart. Humility is a matter of where we give glory: to ourselves or to God?
When Jesus ascended, he was once again put in the highest place, exalted and crowned with glory and honor. We have a hope that one day we too will be lifted up to a higher place. But, it starts with lowering ourselves, living a life of humility, and following in the path of Jesus.
If you ever feel prideful, remind yourself of the humility of Jesus.
Ethan Zent is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He’s studying worship leading and pursuing Wesleyan ordination at Kingswood University.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
