Can I Get A Witness?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%201:1-8&version=NIV

Sunday I preached my first sermon in the book of Acts.  First if you don’t count the introductory sermon the week before.  In this sermon we looked at the first 8 verses of Chapter 1.  The theme is being a witness.  The key verse of the passage (and of the entire book of Acts) is verse 8.  I went on to show how the passage answers 5 key questions about being a witness for Jesus.  (You can listen to the sermon as soon as it is uploaded next week at www.faithalliancechurchkalispell.blogspot.com)

Basically being a witness for Jesus is very simple.  Much more simple than we have made it.  When I was growing up we called sharing our faith ‘witnessing’.  Nowadays it is evangelism.  Much of the time evangelism involves a lot of training: what to say, how to say it, techniques, etc.  I’m certainly not against any of this.  The more we know and the better equipped we are, the more effective we are going to be.  But in the process we have lost the simplicity of sharing our faith.  That’s why I like the term ‘witnessing’ better.  Being a witness means that we simply share what we know about Jesus.  And the difference He has made in our life.  Pretty simple, right?  We don’t have to defend our faith.  Or convince others.  All we have to do is share what we know.  This means that anyone can do it.  And should do it.  As Christians, we are all witnesses.

At the conclusion of the sermon I gave a Challenge.  The Challenge was for everyone to be a witness for Jesus this week.  I presented several options on what this might look like.  Offer to pray for someone.  (Almost no one will refuse prayer on their behalf.)  Interject Jesus into the conversation, such as “I have so much to thank Jesus for” or “Jesus has made such a difference in my life.”  A very simple way to witness.  Or do a good deed for someone - open a door, rake some leaves, let someone cut in line and simply say, “Jesus loves you.”  Anyone can do this.

In the sermon I also mentioned the role of the Holy Spirit in being a witness.  He is the power.  It’s the difference between a chain saw that’s running and one that’s not.  You can still cut a branch with a stationary chain saw.  But it will take a lot of effort.  A lot of needless effort.  The most effective way to cut a branch is to have the chain saw running!  This way the chainsaw does the work.  Not the sawyer.  When the Holy Spirit is working things happen.  Miraculous things.

I also shared 3 things that the Holy Spirit provides in the process of witnessing.  #1 - Memory.  What to share. #2 - Guidance.  Who to share with. #3 - Boldness.  Having the courage to speak to others about Jesus.  So, this coming Sunday I am going to take a few minutes out of the service to have people share what happened as they accepted the Challenge.

Well, a woman stopped me after the service and said that the sermon had cleared up some misunderstanding for her in this area.  She thought that it was her responsibility to convert people.  (Wrong!)  But after listening to the sermon she realized that being a witness is just that - telling others what you know about Jesus.  And she told me that she’s already doing that.  She felt happy.  And relieved.

Well, today I get a call from another person in my church.  They had taken the Challenge to  be a witness seriously.  So after praying for a neighbor earlier today about some personal issues she pops the question.  “Would you like to accept Jesus as your Savior?”  Her neighbor says "Yes" and she leads her to the Lord!  Barely 24 hours after I had given the Challenge someone is already in the Kingdom.  Isn’t God great?

Now I’m really excited!  What else is going to happen this week?  Who knows?  Again, the point is that being a witness is very simple.  Anyone can do it.  Besides, we are not alone in our witness.  The Holy Spirit will help us.  He will direct us to the right person.  He will give us the words to say.  And He will provide the boldness for us to speak.  How can we go wrong?

So I encourage you today, wherever you are, to be a witness.  Pray about it.  Ask God to put people in your path.  Ask Him to help you to be aware of opportunities.  To give you something to say.  Ask Him to give you boldness to speak up when the time comes.  So step out in faith and see what God will do.  Being a witness is exciting!

Lord, once again I am impressed by how simple You make things.  The Gospel is simple.  Repentance and faith.  And witnessing is simple.  Tell others what Jesus has done for us.  I pray that I will have several opportunities to witness for You this week.  I leave the results to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What Kind Of Tomato Am I?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7:20&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+Peter+3%3A15&version=NIV

 I love tomatoes.  Especially good, juicy, home-grown ones.  They are much better tasting than the ones that you buy in the grocery store.  Especially in winter.  You know, the kind that was picked green a month ago and artificially ripened.  The kind that has no juice inside.  The kind that you swear is artificial.  Yuck!  There is just no comparison of an imported tomato to a home-grown one.  One that is juicy.  Tasty.  Succulent.

I like tomatoes in a variety of ways.  Cut up and freely distributed in my salad.  Occasionally I will eat one raw.  My absolute favorite way of eating tomatoes is in a sandwich.  Two slices of bread.  A lavish amount of mayonnaise on both slices.  And fat, juicy slices of tomatoes inside.  I don’t know what it is about tomato sandwiches but they just slide right down my throat effortlessly.  Hmm, hmm, good.  The point is that when something is what it’s supposed to be, in this case, a juicy tomato, one gets maximum delight out of it.  The same principle applies spiritually.

The fact is that, just as there are different kinds of tomatoes, there are also different kinds of Christians in the world.  The artificial kind are not very appealing.  Oh, they are saved alright but that’s about as far as it goes.  Inside they are sour.  Never having much to smile about.  The proverbial ‘wet blanket’ of the party.  Always suffering for Jesus.  (And making others suffer as well!)  They are pessimistic.  Always looking on the negative side of things.  Certain that every new idea will fail.  Never being willing to step out in faith.  They are legalistic.  They have all of the O. T. laws memorized.  Everything is either black or white.  They are spiritual fire extinguishers.  Always ready to quench whatever the Holy Spirit might be doing.  The truth is that these kind of Christians are not very attractive.  They look like the real thing from the outside.  But inside they’re just don’t have it.  They are dry and dull.  The reaction of others to these kind of Christians is to put up with them.  Or avoid them.  Like the plague.  These are the kind of Christians that get lampooned so frequently in our culture.  And with good reason.

Then there are the home-grown, garden variety kind of Christians.  The kind that are appealing.  They are sweet.  If I might say, juicy.  They are always smiling.  Joking.  Fun loving.  They enhance a party.  They are optimistic.  They believe in a great, powerful God.  So they aren’t afraid to step out in faith and try new things.  They are grace-ful.  As such, they are always ready to forgive.  Help.  Listen.  Encourage.  They are like spiritual fire-starters, always fanning to flame the Holy Spirit's work.  They look like the real thing from the outside.  And they are also real on the inside.  The Fruit of the Spirit just oozes out of their life.  Others are attracted to them.  They enjoy being around them.  These are the kind of Christians who get respect.  Whom even the toughest, harshest critics must admit there is something genuine about.

So, the question is, What kind of Christian am I?  Someone whom others put up with?  Or ignore.  Or worse yet, avoid?  Am I dry inside?  Stuffy?  Inflexible?  Barely a flicker of divine life?  Or am I someone that others like being around?  Someone that people gravitate toward?  Find irresistible?  Am I juicy inside?  Fresh?  Inviting?  Full of the life and the presence of the Holy Spirit?

No Christian, I believe, sets out to become the former kind.  Unappealing.  It just sort of happens.  Chalk it up to a lack of understanding about what the Bible teaches.  A lack of good role models in their lives.  An unwillingness to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way.  The good news is that this can be changed.  Any Christian can become appealing.  Winsome.  Juicy.  All they need to do is repent and allow the Holy Spirit to have complete control.  Overnight He can refresh, restore and revitalize them.  All they have to do is ask.

Lord, please examine my heart.  Am I fully devoted to You?  Does my life overflow with the Fruit of Your Spirit?  Would others say that I am kind?  Loving?  Grace-ful?  Fun to be around?  Help me that I will be attractive to others.  And that in so doing, they will be attracted to You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Christmas Creep

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%203:1-8&version=NIV1984

Am I the only one who’s annoyed that the celebration of Christmas keeps getting earlier and earlier?  Last week Beth informed me that one of the TV channels was going to broadcast a Christmas movie every day.  Right up to Christmas.  That’s like 50 days!  I didn’t even know there were that many Christmas movies to show.  Whatever happened to the Christmas season beginning the day after Thanksgiving?  Yeah, you know.  Get one holiday out of the way before we move on to the next one.  It only seems right, doesn’t it?  I mean if I were Thanksgiving I would really be upset.  'What am I, chopped liver?'  (How about cooked turkey!)  Pretty soon the Christmas season is going to start before Halloween.  I can just see it now.  Children trick-or-treating as Santa, Rudolph, Frosty or one of the Elves.  Some things just aren’t right.

The question is, Why is the Christmas season starting earlier and earlier?  I believe there are several reasons.  One is the mood of people these days.  Things are tough.  A number of people are unemployed.  Some have lost their homes to foreclosure.  Money is tight.  Many are barely squeaking by.  When things are this bad, you need some cheering up.  Ho, Ho, Ho!  Lights.  Decorations.  Christmas Carols.  Romanticized Christmas movies about family.  Love.  Peace.

Then there’s the fact that the sluggish economy is also hitting retailers.  Hard.  People are just not spending money like they were a couple years ago.  Many retailers are feeling the pinch.  Lower sales.  Less profit.  Lay offs.  Store closings.  When you stop and think that the Christmas season is what puts them in the black, why not extend the season?  Take in a little bit more money.  Put something on the bottom line.

The problem is that extending the Christmas season can end up killing it.  Or seriously wounding it.  It can lead to what I call ‘Christmas fatigue’.  How many days can a person listen to Christmas Carols before they want to listen to something else?  Anything else.  (I’ve probably just committed Christmas blasphemy!)  How many Christmas movies can you watch before the story line gets old?  How early can you buy Christmas gifts without forgetting what you purchased?  The point is that at some point extending the season can diminish its specialness.

Take a child, for example, who wishes that every day was their birthday.  This is the dream of every kid, isn’t it?  A present every day.  A cake every day.  People singing to you every day.  Being the center of attention every day.  But at what point would their birthday go from being special to ordinary?  I don’t know.  But at some point it would.  Trust me.

But there is one aspect of the Christmas season that I would like to see extended.  It’s the spirit of Christmas.  I never could understand why people have to wait until the Christmas season to be nice to others.  And kind.  And loving.  It’s like someone automatically turns on this switch, ‘Oh, it’s the Christmas season!  I should think of somebody else for a change instead of myself!’  Really?  Shouldn’t you be thinking of others all year long?  Shouldn’t the plight of the poor, the needy, the oppressed be your concern the other 11 months?  Yes, it should.  As Christians, the spirit of Christmas means that we should have the Christmas spirit all year long.  All year long we should be loving.  And kind.  And generous. 

I seriously doubt that the Christmas season is going to go back to officially beginning after Thanksgiving anytime soon.  If anything, it will go the other way.  Christmas in September anyone?  There really isn’t much I can do about that.  But what I can do is to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in my heart all year long.  It’s what Jesus wants.  For me to be filled with love.  Joy.  Peace.  Hope.  The spirit of giving.  And to share these with others.

Lord, I thank you that, as a Christian, it can be Christmas in my heart all year long.  I don’t need a ‘season’ to make it come alive.  Every day I can experience the wonderfulness of it.  And share it with others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Good Time?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+12:18-20&version=NASB

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+14:1&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+14:12&version=NIVUK

I was traveling down Interstate 90 on my way to Billings Monday when a pickup truck passed me.  I probably wouldn’t have noticed it except for a large, vinyl sticker that was prominently displayed on the rear window of the cab.  It said, ‘I’m here for a good time, not a long time.’  Interesting.  Nothing like advertising your philosophy of life for everyone to see.  I had never seen or heard the phrase before.  After a little research I found that it was the name of a song recorded in 1977 by a Canadian band named Trooper.  Sort of gives you the background for it.

I believe that everyone would like to have a ‘good time’.  I certainly would.  I take no delight in ‘bad times’.  I guess it just depends upon what ‘good time’ means.  If it means spending time with people you love, enjoying life, and living for God, I’m all over it.  However, if it means getting drunk or stoned, or engaging in immoral activity, I think I’ll pass.  I believe that the last part of the phrase really gives the intended meaning.  ‘Not a long time’.  It’s just a different version of another phrase that I’ve heard before: ‘Live fast.  Die young. And leave a good-looking corpse.’  In other words, 'Throw caution to the win.  Give in to whatever desires you have.  Check-out early'.  Excuse me, but doesn’t that sound like a pretty shallow philosophy of life?  It’s all about me.  And having fun.  Too bad about anyone else.  I think it’s the very definition of shallow.  And stupid.  Not to mention tragic.

You see, the Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 that “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”  This means that we get one shot at life.  I suppose that people who live by the aforementioned phrase already know this.  That’s why they want to get as much fun out of life as possible.  What they don’t know, or choose to ignore, is the second part of this verse.  That judgment’s coming.  Before the Big Guy.  Almighty, holy, righteous God is going to review their life.  And make a judgment on where they will spend ETERNITY!  Of course, it goes without saying that people who live only for themselves and the pleasure they can get out of life aren’t going to make it into Heaven.  Not by a long shot.  Instead they are looking in the face of an eternity in HELL.  For me, one of the most sobering verses in the entire Bible is also found in Hebrews, 10:31 - “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

For some reason a lot of people don’t consider this.  Or, if they do, they think they can get around it.  They can somehow laugh it off.  That God is going to wink at them and excuse their behavior.  That any good deeds they did are going to offset their selfish and immoral behavior.  Wrong!  On that day when they stand before God they are going to be ashamed.  Speechless.  Filled with fear.  Fear greater than any they’ve ever known.  And when they hear the verdict from God Himself they will realize the folly of their choices.  But by then it will be too late.  Too late for forgiveness.  Too late for mercy.  Too late for anything but an eternity of pain.  Suffering.  Regret.

Talk about foolishness, this is it.  Only a fool would trade a few years of ‘good times’ for an eternity of bad ones.  Only a fool would ignore God and all His warnings.  Only a fool would despise the death of Jesus on the cross and not take advantage of the forgiveness that He offers.  Unfortunately there must be an awful lot of fools in this world.  For in Matthew 7:13 Jesus said, “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

In the end, I suppose that if a person isn’t going to come to God then they might as well 'live it up'.  Live it up as much as they can.  For there is no future for them.  No happy future, that is.  Maybe this is why so many people choose this kind of lifestyle?  Even if it is, it is still nothing short of tragic.  God offers everything that the human heart secretly longs for.  Love.  Happiness.  Peace.  Significance.  Eternal life.  All available through Jesus.  Why would anyone choose anything different?  The only reason I can think of is that Satan has blinded their eyes.

The reality is that the ‘good time’ people are all around us.  They’re at work.  In school.  In our neighborhood.  Maybe even in our family.  Sadly they are on the fast-track to Hell.  And most of them don’t even know it.  This is why it is so important for us to be salt & light.  To pray for them.  And witness to them.  Eternal destinies are at stake.  Let us do all we can to help them understand what a ‘good time’ really is.  One that is all about living for God.  And spending an eternity with Him.

Lord, my heart is burdened and broken when I see how lost people around me really are.  How little they know.  How little they care.  Use me to be a witness to them.  Light.  Salt.  A vessel of Your love.  May You use my life to point them to the only One who can save them.  You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wishing For Santa

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9:2&version=KJV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal%204:4&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%209:6-7&version=KJV

Beth & I watched a couple of movies on TV last Friday night.  Christmas movies.  That’s right.  On November 4th we watched Christmas movies.  Let me tell you that at first I wasn’t interested.  It’s way too early for that kind of thing.  But then I relented.  After all, I was able to spend time with my wife.  So, why not?

And the movies, the 2nd of which was a sequel to the first, were good.  Heart-warming.  The kind that give you a happy feeling inside.  What’s not to like about Christmas movies?  In every one of them some sort of miracle takes place.  A reindeer returns to health.  A son or daughter returns home.  A couple who’s on the verge of divorce make up.  Then there’s the children.  What would Christmas be without them?  Their innocence.  Their excitement.  Their faith.

As I watch these movies, like many others, sometimes I find myself wishing that the magical were true.  That there was such a person as Santa who brings gifts to everyone.  Especially the children.  That there was such a thing as flying reindeer.  And that if I were really, really lucky I just might catch a glimpse of them pulling Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.  That there was such a place as the North Pole.  And little elves.  And talking snowmen.

Why do I wish for this?  What is it about this time of year that brings out the fantasy in me?  In reflecting on this I think the reason is that this is how God made me.  And you.  He made us to enjoy life.  To live in a world without sin.  And evil.  And problems.  A world where such things as love, peace, joy & happiness are experienced all the time.  Instead of a fraction of the time.  We had this life once.  Back in the Garden.  In Eden.  A perfect world.  Paradise is what it has been called.  Perfect weather. Perfect people.  No problems.  No disagreements.  No sadness.  No pain, suffering or death.  But we gave it away.  We gave it away for an empty promise of becoming like God.  Oh, why did we do that?  Why couldn’t we have been satisfied with perfection?  That is a very perplexing question.

Fortunately, Christmas happened.  Not the commercialized, romanticized version that we celebrate now.  No, the 1st Christmas happened.  God's own Son, Jesus, was born in a manger in faraway Bethlehem.  Almighty God wrapped in a tiny bundle of human flesh.  At that point in time God, Himself, stepped into the human race.  What a momentous occasion!  No wonder the angels sang that night.  Love, joy, peace and a host of other wonderful things entered our world. 

Thirty plus years later, after Jesus died on the cross for the sins of humankind, something very wonderful happened.  A way was opened to experience Christmas forever.  It’s called Heaven.  It’s the original Eden.  Back to what we once knew.  Now we can experience perfection once again.  Hallelujah!  All the deep longings that constantly tug at our hearts will be fulfilled.  Never to be taken away again.

Yes, we have someone much greater than Santa Claus in our world.  His name is Jesus.  He is able to bring love, joy and peace to every human heart.  He is able to bring a son or daughter home.  He is able to cure a person of cancer.  He is able to reconcile a couple who’s on the verge of divorce.  And make their marriage the envy of others.  In short, He can do the miraculous.  And He always does it in the best of ways.

So the next time I watch a Christmas movie and find myself longing for some magic, I need to remember that it’s already here.  The supernatural presence of God is already in our world.  All we have to do is open our eyes.  As Christians, the Spirit of Christmas is inside us.  Transforming us into the very image of Jesus.  The Holy & Righteous One.  Someday He will reign over the entire universe.  At that point our world will be bathed in His splendor.  His glory.  His love.  His holiness.  His wisdom.  His strength.  Never again will we long for Christmas.  Because Christmas will live forever.

Lord, I thank you that Jesus is not a fantasy or a fairy tale.  He is the greatest thing that has ever happened to our world.  And to me.  I thank you that as a result of His death for my sins on the cross that my longing for Christmas has been satisfied.  I have all that ever need or desire in Him.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Enough Evidence?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20COr%2010:31&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5:16&version=NIV1984

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201:27&version=NIV1984

On Saturday our family got together and celebrated Brett’s 5th birthday.  Wow.  How much has changed in our family in those 5 years.  During this time we have welcomed 4 grandchildren.  And another one is on the way in 2 months!  This caused me to do a little reflecting.  It is the opinion of many that the first few years of marriage are some of the best in life.  There’s only the two of you.  So you spend time together.  Do things together.  Enjoy each other.  While I certainly enjoyed that stage of my life I will say this - the grandparenting  years can also be some of the best!

Today, as I was eating lunch at the dining room table (by myself) I began to look around the house.  What did I see?  Evidences of grandchildren everywhere.  Here’s a quick list:
    - a toy box overflowing with toys
    - a plastic kitchen
    - 3 plastic tubs filled w/blocks
    - 3 small plastic stackable chairs
    - 3 booster chairs (for eating meals) w/children’s bibs draped over the backs   
    - an infant swing & bouncer
    - a potty chair & a potty seat
    - a playpen
    - several small totes filled with Matchbox cars, stuffed animals & plastic tools

This is not to mention the outdoors which contains the following:
    - a large swing set
    - a sand box
    - 3 motorized children’s vehicles
    - 2 tricycles
    - assorted plastic balls & bats
    - a miniature picnic table

In addition to all this, there are pictures of grandchildren on the walls, shelves, and the book case in our house.  The refrigerator displays our grandchildren’s latest artwork.  There are sippy cups in the refrigerator.  And miniature knives, forks and spoons in the drawer.  Yes, when you come to our house there is ample evidence that grandchildren frequent here.

Then I began to think about whether there would be this kind of overwhelming evidence to support the fact that we are Christians?  Good question.  Might a Bible or two be located somewhere in our house?  Hopefully some place easy to see.  Would someone be able to spot  a Christian-themed picture or plaque on our walls?  Or if they browsed our CD’s or DVD’s would there be any with Christian content?  Would others be able to say that they saw us say grace before meals?  Or going to and from church?  Or have heard us talk about God?  And what He’s done for us?

I hope so.  I hope that when others look at our lives that there is overwhelming evidence of our faith in, and commitment to, God.  That they wouldn’t have to guess or assume.  That they would know.  Beyond the shadow of a doubt.

Lord, help me to live my life so that if anyone wanted to know whether or not I was a Christian there would be ample evidence to prove that I am.  May I live boldly and completely for You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Humilty Of Jesus - Part III

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2052:13-15&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isa%2053&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010:17-18&version=NIV

The last couple days we have been looking at the humility of Jesus.  Quite a subject.  On a practical level one would never have associated the Son of God with humility.  I mean, what does God have to be humble about?  But ever since Jesus came to earth He has been forever linked to humility.  As difficult as it was to comprehend the humility of Jesus in consenting to become a human, and to stoop so low so as to wash His disciples’ feet, His last display of humility is even more amazing.  His suffering and death.

How can we comprehend God suffering?  Isn’t this unheard of in the annals of human history?  But that is exactly what happened on Jesus’ way to the cross.  He suffered.  Greatly.  Unjustly.  Centuries earlier, Isaiah, in Chapters 52 & 53, predicted the suffering and death of Jesus.  And the words he used to describe it are none too pretty.  Beaten.  Bruised.  Pain.  Disfigurement.  To the point of being unrecognizable.  Bruising.  Blood.  Suffering.  Slaughter.  Not a good word among them.  Blow after blow Jesus humbled Himself by being willing to take the punishment that was rightly ours.  And how did He respond?  Without murmur or complaint. 

Then there was His slow, agonizing, painful death.  Flesh torn into a thousand pieces.  Raw and bleeding.  Nails in His hands and feet.  Struggling to breath.  Intense pain wracking His whole body.  Minute by minute life slowly draining away from the Creator of Life.  Yet not a word of complaint.  Instead He prayed for His enemies.  Only a divine being could do this.

The fact is that no one likes to die.  And this included Jesus.  One of the negatives regarding death is that it is humbling.  Big time.  This is why so many people down through the ages have despised it.  One moment a person is an all-powerful king whose word is law.  The next moment he is being placed into the ground just like any poor person or slave.  Sure, he may have a splendid funeral.  And even a monument to house his remains.  But, in the end, he’s just as dead as the next guy.

The humility of Jesus is seen in the fact that He was willing to die a horrible, painful death.  He was willing to die like any other person.  I say ‘willing’ because Jesus had the power to stop His torture and suffering anytime He wanted to.  When He was about to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said the following to Peter.  “Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”  The point that Jesus was making was that He was still in control.  He had the power to avoid pain and suffering.  And death.  But He didn’t.  Instead, Jesus humbled Himself.  Which included the humiliation of dying.  Dying the death of a condemned criminal.

What more can be said about the humility of Jesus?  Is there anything or anyone to compare Him to?  I don’t think so.  The all-powerful, glorious Son of God being willing to experience life as a creature.  Being willing to serve in ways that others would not.  Being willing to suffer and die an ignoble death.  Why?  Because of His love for us.  If that doesn’t demonstrate the depths of His great love for us, then nothing will.  And if that doesn’t cause our hearts to burst with thankfulness and gratitude, then nothing will.  No wonder the Father has exalted Him to the highest place.  He, and He alone, deserves it.

Lord, if I ever want to know what humility looks like all I have to do is look at Jesus.  He is the very embodiment of humility.  In fact, His humility humbles me.  And well it should.  Especially when I understand that He humbled Himself for me.  How can I not appreciate this?  How can I not live for Him in return?  How can I not humble myself and follow His example?  Help me that my life will be an example of humility to others.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.