“Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3) Several have proposed that someone besides Moses wrote this verse since no humble man would ever write such a thing. But there is no conflict between true humility and telling the truth. Moses might have asked, “Are you sure?” but if God said, “Moses, you are the most humble man on earth”, there was no need to argue. God sees perfectly.
While he is an example, I can’t go to Moses for humility. The law God gave him exposed my sin… most of which stemmed from self-centered pride. Even if I’m dressed in ‘humble clothes’ and use ‘humble talk’, God is not fooled.
For true humility I must go to the one Moses predicted would come after him. Jesus also declared himself humble and we know he told the truth. “Come to me all who are weary or burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
But the ‘wise’ did not run to Jesus. Those that thought they could ‘see’ did not go to the fountain of life. Those that thought they were ‘healthy’ did not visit the Great Physician. What’s the difference today? Not a thing. The journey to the source of humility involves humbling one’s self, but ‘self’ makes it hard to see the need. So Jesus hung out with sinners. The poor and the sick sought him out. He taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”, but few had ears to hear.
The world bellows, “Go higher and higher!” The Holy Spirit whispers, “Go lower and lower… follow the Son.” “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing…” I’ve yet to see the course offered: “Becoming Nothing in Your World.” This is the secret: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Of course, only God’s grace will bring the humility of Christ. We are to humble ourselves, but God will form the sweet attitude of Jesus in his children. He alone knows us. He knows the self-sufficiency we’ve embraced and our misguided piety. He also knows true humility most reflects who he is… and pride most reflects who he is not. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” I want to pray, “Lord, I can never be humble like Jesus by my own effort. But I can empty myself and stand before you. You are the miracle worker and with you all things are possible. Would you form the humility of Christ in me? And would you give me the grace to trust you completely?”
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17