Jesus, the God of Humility Who Bore Witness of Himself

A Christology Interpretation from the Book of Luke

Introduction

For the God of all the Universe to come to earth as a tiny human is a humble action.  While hosts of angels proclaimed Christ the Lord’s birth to the country shepherds where “the glory of the Lord shone around them,” our humble Jesus was in a manger with his blessed mother, Mary, where he lay as a vulnerable “Babe” (Luke 2:9,12 NKJV).[1] Jesus arrived in the most quaint of settings, in swaddling clothes, and some would have said illegitimate.  Of course, according to common knowledge, Christian followers know that Jesus was by no means helpless because He was the Word incarnate (John 1:14), and watched by his loving Father God (Luke 3:22). Throughout my study of Luke, Jesus entered the world, displayed actions, and made subtle statements that led me to write this paper, “Jesus, the God of Humility Who Bore Witness of Himself.” Although limited in accounts of Jesus as a young boy, it was not long before Jesus began to demonstrate this spirit of humility that he still reveals to believers today.

This paper clearly illustrates the character of Jesus not only as Savior, Healer, Prophet, Teacher, Son of God, and Son of Man, as some readers easily see, but readers are to see Jesus ultimately as the God of Humility, willing to come to earth, submit to parents, accept the Father God’s call, yield his authority to the ministry of other ministers, place his faith in the written Word of God, be baptized by humans, teaching honor for those in lowly places, receiving blessings from sinners, confronting the prideful, committed to servanthood, blessed by angels, and blessing humanity.  It was in humility that He was led to the slaughter.  This Jesus thought more of others than he thought of Himself, granting us the enormous gift of humility.

Context

Luke was a “traveling companion of the apostle Paul” and wrote the Gospel of Luke and its sequel, The Acts of the Apostles. According to research, the gospel of Luke “must have been completed somewhere in the late 50s or early 60s A.D.  The Gospel of Luke addresses Theophilus, “a Roman official who wanted to know what Christianity was all about.” Some believe the book of Luke originated somewhere in Greece, Caesarea, Alexandria, or Rome, but nobody has proven a conclusive location.[2] Luke was a Gentile who wrote to a non-Jewish audience. He “shows that in every instance where Christians were suspected of sedition against Rome, they were judged innocent (Luke 23:4, 14, 22; Acts 16:39; 17:9; 18:15-16; 19:37; 23:29; 25:25; 26:31) … Luke shows that Jesus associated with all sorts of people. …”[3]  Jesus identifies and functions as a prophet, the Savior, a Healer, the Son of Man, and the Son of God throughout the Gospel of Luke; however, history shows a rise in hostility around the time that he wrote this Gospel.  Luke’s “procedure in writing his Gospel included gathering information, checking the evidence, verifying sources, evaluating critically, and arranging the material in an orderly manner.”[4]

Humility at 12 Years of Age Teaching in the Temple

“And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:49-52).

As a child of twelve, it seems unfathomable that parents could go three days without noticing a missing child, but could it be that Jesus was not a needy child, and could this not account for his saying to them, “Why do you seek me?”  It is as if He was asking if they needed Him. This day must have been transitional, for his parents did not understand that he had to be “about [His] Father’s business.”  Jesus then “went down with them … and was subject to them.”  His obedience and submission in this passage stem from a humble heart.  He was enabled to grow in wisdom, and people liked Him.  Even after he amazed the priests in the synagogues, he subjected Himself to his father and mother.

Humility to Accept the Calling

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him (Luke 4:14-20).

The scripture above denotes that Galileans loved Jesus; He had been famous in their land, and everyone had praised Him. Jesus had spoken with boldness and taught in their churches.  Then, He came to Nazareth, where He grew up. He finished reading about how He would help people experiencing poverty, heal those in relational struggles, and free those trapped. These are all mission-driven works from the heart of our amazing Jesus, who wanted to help others, not promote His kingdom for selfish gain. These were powerful and loving statements by Jesus, showing that He was strong and powerful; however, scripture says that Jesus “closed the book and gave it again to the minister, and sat down,” which denotes submission to others.  The focus is on his sitting.  He could have called angels to show his divinity when they only saw Him as Joseph’s son.    

Humility to Have Faith in the Written Word of God

            The temptations to follow cuisine, community, and power rather than the Bible are evident today.  People presently spend colossal amounts of money at exclusive restaurants, on affiliations with clubs and groups, and in the political arena where both right and left-wing voices can ring truths and untruths.  The gratification that one can receive by being wealthy enough, connected enough, or powerful enough can elevate one to esteem their success as more substantial than their God.  Jesus was tempted in these three areas but placed his faith in the written Word of God over settling his faith in money, people, and power for temporary gain. Where others may have sought glory in building earthly kingdoms, friends, and power for themselves, Jesus instead thought of how his life of sacrifice was for a heavenly kingdom, the salvation of many souls, and that He was here to do the will of his Father God.  His restraint against temptation was a moral act of servitude for the kingdom of God.

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’…

How many Christians who are hungry today could turn rock into food?  This is not even a temptation for traditional humans because bread is a viable product at every grocery store. However, it was a feat that Jesus of Nazareth could do, proven by his miraculous power at the wedding of Caperniam, where He changed water to wine.  These types of miracles could have increased his social status, created wealth and power, and drawn people of all kinds to Him. 

 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:1-13).

Humility to be Baptized

Jesus allowed his cousin to baptize Him, yet Jesus knew that He had a special calling when He met John at the river. He also notes that “when all of the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus was baptized,” but this was no ordinary baptism. Even though Jesus was making no big deal of the occasion, the Father God loudly proclaimed, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).  Jesus did not insist upon an exclusive baptismal service.  He was willing to be baptized the same as all other people.   

Humility to Take the Lowly Place

When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:7-14).

Intentions are fundamental to God.  Christians should expect no payment for service to others and should elevate rather than demote positionally.  Similarly, God wants humanity to experience glory, while they encourage each other.  He expects followers to feed others who are less fortunate, and He promises that He will repay believers at the resurrection.  It is a beautiful thing to love without expecting to receive.

Humility to Receive a Blessing from the Woman with the Alabaster Box

At the home of the Pharisees, Jesus received a blessing from a woman whose company the scribes and Pharisees despised.  Embarrassment was not how Jesus received her worship.  Jesus, in his majesty and all knowledge, forgave the woman of her sins and saved her dignity.  Jesus was more concerned for her salvation than unloving towards the sinful woman: 

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace (Luke 7:47-50).

Jesus is omnipresent; He was yesterday, is today, and will be forever.  His love has no limits, and He will accept the little or the much love He receives.  In these scriptures, Jesus acknowledges, appreciates, and forgives the woman and proclaims the woman’s dedication. He says, she “has not ceased to kiss My feet … this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil … her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:45-47).  When people show love and demonstrate Godly sorrow, Jesus has proven to be a God of humility, unacquainted, and direct in reteaching the importance of empathy for others, their lives, and their culture.  Jesus is a God who loves all people, and He proves that He will not reject a person’s love if you are willing to give it, no matter how many sins you have committed or omitted.

Humility to Confront the Pharisees Concerning Blasphemy

The triune God is a concept that has been debated for years.  Some say there is only one; some say only two manifestations, but orthodox Christianity focuses on a primary of three: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As Jesus spoke about Himself, He distinguished between his operation on earth and the future operation of the Holy Spirit.  This notable distinction does not separate the unity of God, yet it was interesting because of the roles that each plays.  God is a spirit, and this passage posits that the Holy Spirit is a final effort to draw all men toward forgiveness:

Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say (Luke 12:8-12).

Jesus elevates the Holy Spirit, which can always be omnipresent and omnipotent, to a special place.  He elevated his spirit over his flesh; He reduced his flesh in this scripture to be temporal, and this was a revelatory moment of indisputable meekness.

Humility to Servanthood

Jesus showed countless moments of docility, one of which is when He bowed to purify his disciples’ feet.  He was clear in that people who sit at the table are more honorable, but He showed menial work to clarify his purpose to humankind.

But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:24-27).

The convergence of man and God did not pollute his purpose to seek and save, to give us life more abundant and hope to live in a heavenly kingdom with the Father, to sit with Him at tables in His kingdom which shall have no end.  For 33 years, Jesus was willing to prostrate Himself to our mortal state to show undeniable devotion and to stop all antipathy.

Humility of Jesus When He Was Arrested and on the Cross

The Humble Christ, who kindly healed the ear of the high priest who had come to arrest Him, was mocked and beaten, “Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, ‘Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?’ And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.”

People today would have difficulty being questioned, spat upon, mocked, and beaten because they were company executives.  Moreover, that happened to Jesus when He went before the Sanhedrin, a group of political rabbis who questioned his divinity.  It took a submissive man to tolerate the disrespectful questioning and disbelief of his divinity, one who was willing to do the beckoning of his Father, for He had taken a kneeling position earlier in the Garden of Gethsemane,

He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:42-44).

It took spiritual strength from the angels for the man, Jesus of Nazareth, to be mentally and emotionally prepared for the mission that the Father God needed Him to do.  This battle was spiritual.  The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in all ways, yet without sin; therefore, the Word of the universe, who had wrapped Himself in the flesh, also humbled Himself to receive the ministry of an angelic being, one that He as the Word had created.  What a beautiful testament.  David wrote, “What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:3-5).  He could have stopped his suffering, He could have shown a glorious and heavenly show, but He was submissive to Himself and because of that, his blood brings us eternal life, for it removes our sins, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Let. 17:11).  Jesus did not want people to have to sacrifice animals forever.

But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins…Therefore, when He came into the world

Then I said, “Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.”

‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all  (Hebrew 10:4-10).

Jesus was on the cross.  One of the criminals beside Him said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).  Jesus, beaten and thirsty, said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).  In his final moments before death, He was a companion to a common thief, thinking of the future status of the convict’s soul.

The Humility of the Son of God, Jesus, Who Sent the Holy Spirit

After three hours of darkness during his death, Jesus cried out to the Father, “…into Your hands I commit My spirit” and after his resurrection, yet before his ascension into the heavens, He promised, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; …but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are indued with power from on high” (Luke 23:46, Luke 24:49).  Just before the Ascension into heaven, He also said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me” (Luke 24:44).  Jesus did not leave us on earth without Him.  Some say, “Why did he just leave us here alone?”  That is a false assumption; He sent his Spirit to us, a comforter to help us in our times of struggle.  That the Christ of the Universe would live in us, beings created below the angels is indeed an honor.  That He would subject his perfection into unholiness, that he would bring us into righteousness after humanity disobeyed, demonstrates his love for us. This is our humble Jesus, the fullness of God made bodily, one who demonstrated history’s most ultimate act of modesty and propriety.

Bibliography

Elwell, Walter, and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.

Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary. WORD search Corp, 2011.

Lockyer, Sr., Herbert. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.

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[1] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced employ the New King James Version

[2] Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013), 84-86.

[3] Herbert Lockyer, Sr. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1886), 659.

[4] Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough, Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013), 84-86.