Humility as a Virtue
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Humilty leads to exaltation
The way it works in the Kingdom is that the one who serves the one who humbles him or herself is exalted. It`s the way that service works.

Jesus begins his community, and there has never been a leader like Him before. Never. Jesus says:

  • The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them call themselves "benefactors." They live in towns like Sepphoris, and I know because I helped build some of their houses. I know how it works. I`ve been there.

    Jesus understands. He grew up in the real world. He has a different dream. His dream has captivated the human race for 2000 years.

  • You are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest. And the one who rules the one who has the most power and authority should be like the one who serves. For who is regarded as greater? The one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? That`s the way things work in our world. But I am among you as One who serves. ''Luke 22:26-27''



    By: John Ortberg
    Category: Humility as a Virtue
    • Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation
    Greatness in God`s Eyes
    Before His last supper with [the twelve], when they are in the Upper Room, Jesus does something. According to ancient sources, the washing of feet was a task regarded as so menial, so degrading, that even Jewish slaves did not have to do it. It was reserved for Gentile slaves. There are a very few stories where someone unusual does it. Children doing it for their parents, or a pupil doing it for his teacher his master. In one case, a wife stood in the courts because she wanted to wash her husband`s feet as an act of honoring him, and he didn`t want her to do it. It had social implications.

    There is no story of anyone anywhere of higher social status washing the feet of someone of lower social status. That never happened until this night. Jesus takes off His outer cloak, picks up a towel and picks up a basin, gets down on His knees to wash their filthy feet. He says:

  • I have set you an example that you should do what I have done. ''John 13:15''

    Do you want to know what greatness looks like in God`s eyes? Here it is.



    By: John Ortberg
    Category: Humility as a Virtue
    • Comment Helpful? Favorite Violation

    "Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ( Matthew 18:4)

    "... Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all." ( Mark 10:43-44)

    "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." ( Luke 14:8-11)

    "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." ( Luke 18:10-14)

    "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it." ( Luke 9:23-24)

    "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." ( Matthew 5:5)

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    Rest for the Weary
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