The Humility of Heaven - Your Nightly Prayer - December 10th
The Humility of Heaven
Your Nightly Prayer
by Clarence Haynes Jr.
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“He made himself nothing… being made in human likeness.” - Philippians 2:7
SOMETHING TO PONDER
On May 6, 2023, they inaugurated King Charles III as the King of the United Kingdom. This was a grand ceremony with approximately 100 heads of state and representatives from 203 countries attending. Over 2,000 people filled Westminster Abbey for this ceremony, which lasted about two hours. When all the festivities ended, the bill for the day totaled over $90 million. For many, that seems excessive (and it probably is), but when you think about a king and an inauguration, this is what most people think about. For a moment, I want you to ponder a simple question. How does the worldly pomp of this king's ceremony compare to Jesus's humble arrival to redeem humanity?
The One Word That Flows Through Christ’s Life
When you think about the life of Christ, there is one word that speaks about it more than anything…humility. He was born in a stable with other animals, to an undistinguished family. He grew up in obscurity in a poor town called Nazareth. Nazareth was so frowned upon that when Philip told Nathanael that they had found the Messiah, Jesus from Nazareth, his response was, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
Later, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, he rode on a donkey, coming in peace, not the typical military entrance that most kings would make. Even dying on a cross like a criminal, naked and beaten, all speaks to his humility.
What makes this more fascinating is understanding who Jesus is. He was not just a baby born in a manger; he was Immanuel, God with us. He wasn’t just a man who walked the earth; he created the very ground he walked on. If anyone had the right to enter the world with fanfare and majesty, Jesus did. Yet, he chose the path of humility.
He took on human flesh, the nature of a servant, and lived a life of obedience that would lead to his death for one simple reason. His love for you. Jesus lowered himself to our level so that he could bring us up to his. That not only reflects his humility and obedience but also shows the extent he would go to redeem us, and again, all motivated by his love.
A Heart Check
Philippians reminds us we should have the same mindset as Christ. That means we consider life through the lens of a humble servant. If anyone had the right to be entitled, Jesus did, yet he laid that aside. If he could do that and he is deserving, how much more should we do that when we are so undeserving?
Perhaps this is the greatest challenge of faith in our society today. Being a follower of Christ has never been about being in the position of honor, glory, or prestige. Even if you have those things, you push them aside because if you have the mindset of Christ, you must seek not only your own good but, more importantly, the good of others. Maybe this is the message that needs to permeate our hearts this Christmas season. The one who has it all is the one who becomes the servant of all. That is humility on display, which is exactly what Jesus demonstrated for us.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
It is so easy to get caught up in my situation and sometimes feel like I am entitled or I deserve this. Father, let the birth of Jesus and the sacrifice he made with his life be the reminder that this life is about humility and serving others. I ask that the humility of Jesus would be the marker of my life and that I would seek the good of others and not just my own personal gain. Reveal in me the areas of my heart that don’t reflect yours and change them so I will live the way you want me to live and love the way you want me to love.
I pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Genuine humility comes when you have all authority and you use it to serve others and not yourself.
2. You don’t measure greatness by power or status but by selfless love, service, and obedience.
3. Living with the mindset of Christ means not seeking your own honor but lifting others up.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Noah Benjamin
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
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