A Descended GodChikamu

He Set Aside Glory

“Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” by Emily Elliot

Verse 2:

Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.

In 2000, the film Gladiator hit the big screens. Russell Crowe portrayed General Maximus, an accomplished warrior who secured temporary peace for the Romans by subduing the Germanic tribes. The emperor wished that Maximus would succeed him as emperor, but the emperor’s son, Commodus, treacherously killed his father and became emperor himself, ordering the death of Maximus and his family.

Maximus escaped but later was captured by a slave trader who sold him as a gladiator.

When Commodus decided to stage a gladiator battle in the Colosseum of Rome, who should show up but Maximus?

Now, Maximus should have arrived in Rome as a military hero; instead, he entered the arena as a gladiator and a slave. It was completely unfair. But this injustice happened against Maximus’ will.

Could you imagine if Maximus had willingly given up his power and position and humbled himself to the place of slave and gladiator? What would have ever possessed someone to do such a thing?

This is only a dim reflection of what Jesus did. He humbled Himself, not against His will, but according to His will.

Jesus should have entered our earth amidst throngs of worshipers and the joyful shouts of all the richest and greatest of humanity. There should have been parades and festivals held in His honor. Instead, He came to a lowly manger, announced only by humble shepherds. He was a political refugee before He could even crawl.

This is extraordinary humility. He was willing to do this because He had a great goal in mind: the salvation of the whole world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am so filled with pride. It seems that almost everything I do is to try to make myself look good. I want to be humble. I need Your help in my battle against my ego. Help me to fix my eyes on You because no one modeled humility better than You. Fill me with Your humble Spirit that I might reflect You in everything I do. Amen.

Reflection: When or where is it hardest for you to be humble? Do you really understand your identity in Jesus? How can you serve your wife and kids, your family and friends, your co-workers and teammates this week in true humility?