“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” Psalm 8:4, 5. The psalmist is in awe of the position God has given man. This is the kind of mindset we, as sinful human beings should have. That the King of kings would be mindful of us should not cause us to be puffed up and prideful and to imagine it is because of our great accomplishments. True humility is to see that we can be called friends of God and recognize who we are in comparison to him.
Recently reading the account of Jesus’ crucifixion again, I was moved as always, but the aspect of Jesus’ humility through it all struck me in a new way. Many people focus on the pain of the torture Jesus underwent, but even before any of that began, he was arrested, interrogated, mocked, paraded back and forth like a common prisoner, and even slapped in the face and told not to “talk back”. Through it all he remained humble and compliant.
His humility not only in his death, but in his entire time of existence on the earth speaks volumes. Our Savior never proclaimed himself king from a throne, or dwelt in palaces, demanding the obeisance and worship he rightfully deserved. We also never read of him proclaiming himself the Messiah. He let the prophecies, evidence, and his deeds speak for themselves. Who had a right to honor and credit more than Jesus? But if he could take on lowly positions, serve others, and fellowship with the least of his creation, how much more should we?
