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The Humility of Christ
Imagine you’re eating at a fast-food restaurant and your kid vomits. Now, imagine an employee comes running over and cleans that up with a smile on her face. So, you go to the manager on duty to put in a good word for this employee. What would you think if the manager tells you she isn’t an employee; she’s the CEO of that fast-food chain? What an example of humility, right? For sure! But we have a far better example of humility: Jesus.
Jesus is the Son of God, Creator of the universe (Colossians 1:16). And, in the most amazing act of humility ever, our Creator wrapped himself in his creation, came to earth, and was born in the humblest of circumstances. He then lived a sinless life while enduring the scorn and rejection of the people he had created and who he came to save. Finally, he laid down his life, dying a grueling death on a cross, a symbol of shame in that day. A fast-food CEO cleaning up after you is one thing; the Son of God dying for you is another. That’s humility.
Humility seems to be in short supply in our selfie culture. Social media can so easily feed the ego, the archnemesis of humility. We take pictures of ourselves and post all about our lives, as if we are the center of the universe. There’s nothing wrong with selfies and social media in moderation. But we need to be careful with it and with other things around us that can fuel self-centeredness rather than selflessness.
For our kids to live like Christ is for them to be humble like Christ. It’s for them to think of God first, others second, and themselves third. That’s far from easy in a culture that takes every opportunity to press into them to do the opposite. Culture screams “self”; Christ whispers “selfless.” Just like you start with lighter weights to build muscle, starting with “lighter” acts of humility lays a foundation for powerful humility later. Encourage your kids to hold the door for someone. Celebrate when others do well. Accept help with gladness and gratitude. Let someone else have a turn first. Humility speaks softly but has a loud effect on others.
- What draws you to the humility of Christ?
- How might you help your kid(s) imitate Christ’s humility today?
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About this Plan
As caregivers, we’ve been called to teach our kids who Jesus is and how they can trust in him to be forgiven of their sins. But our calling doesn’t end there. We also are to teach them how to live like Jesus. This reading plan identifies seven core character traits of Christ you can point your kids toward to help them act like Jesus—to imitate him in daily life.
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