MUSINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE
For I am gentle and humble in heart.
Matthew 11:29.
The Humility of God.
This musing’s title is truly incredible. Just to think of God’s perfection, his exceedingly great titles, qualities and amazing attributes, all exercised through his awesome sovereignty; this line of thought takes us by surprise when we learn that the Lord of stunning and bright shining majesty should present himself before us in gentle humility. He, robed in terrifying brilliance and majesty, appears to mankind in humble guise. It is his gracious will to do so, and sample after sample of his lofty dignity being laid low before us appears in the condescension of his precious Word that lisps (Calvin) his nature and purpose to we who seek him in his astounding self-revelation. The Bible is his mode of communication and the blessed Trinity speaks to humble minds and hearts through the Holy Spirit. Heavenly wisdom and truth for our redemption and glorification is translated by the divine inner voice to our understanding as the heavenly Gift (Augustine) himself illuminates the eyes of the soul of the genuinely humble reader as they scan the terrain of truth laid out before them, pursuant through the map of salvation that points the way from this world of death to the radiant City of Life. Every detail of God’s rescue and redemption comes our way and benefits us through our Maker’s humility.
The Incarnation itself, that commences our Lord Jesus’ ministry on earth, is extraordinary and incomprehensible humility. God becomes human in Mary’s supernatural Son as the Son of God taking upon himself and clothing himself in our nature. In Bethlehem the God-Man joins our race in simplicity without ceremony. The Christ is born in a space where normally animals are stalled. The first to hear the tidings of this wondrous birth are the shepherds, the roaming rogues and outcasts of society, often light-fingered in the properties and homes around their chosen resting place - the shepherds that no one trusts or believes. These are the ruffians who hear the exultant angels sing the announcement, and waking bleary-eyed discern the vast and gleaming choir of the heavens above. The lowest class of working society are privileged to be the first visitors to the newborn King.
The theme of humility unfurls throughout the whole New Testament. When Jesus eventually fulfills his ministry he goes to the poor dwelling quarters of the notoriously unworthy, mingles with the miserably sick and the impoverished while the religious leaders and those who convene at the public means of grace, such as the temple or synagogue, only deal with the penitent and needy when they are meekly approached by them for acceptance. The troubled and those who lead disapproved lives are not diligently sought out for redemption and comfort - only those who quit the cover of the neglected areas and the slums. Jesus was a familiar and surprising visitor to the wretched, helpless and hopeless.
In the apostolic continuation of the ministry of Jesus the apostle Paul relates in his letter to believers at Corinth the continuation of the humility of God in reaching out to the insignificant and overlooked folk of the populace. “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called (divine election). Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many of you were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him (effectual call) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ”Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Who is our boast? There is, sadly, a tendency to boast of achievement among some members of God’s people; much rivalry for top position— whether as author, academic, preacher, or local church leader and the aim is prominence. And sadly, the exclusivity in fashionable and classy congregations, is an offense to the gospel. How many angels have been turned away, and what reports do they bring to heaven?
RJS
For I am gentle and humble in heart.
Matthew 11:29.
The Humility of God.
This musing’s title is truly incredible. Just to think of God’s perfection, his exceedingly great titles, qualities and amazing attributes, all exercised through his awesome sovereignty; this line of thought takes us by surprise when we learn that the Lord of stunning and bright shining majesty should present himself before us in gentle humility. He, robed in terrifying brilliance and majesty, appears to mankind in humble guise. It is his gracious will to do so, and sample after sample of his lofty dignity being laid low before us appears in the condescension of his precious Word that lisps (Calvin) his nature and purpose to we who seek him in his astounding self-revelation. The Bible is his mode of communication and the blessed Trinity speaks to humble minds and hearts through the Holy Spirit. Heavenly wisdom and truth for our redemption and glorification is translated by the divine inner voice to our understanding as the heavenly Gift (Augustine) himself illuminates the eyes of the soul of the genuinely humble reader as they scan the terrain of truth laid out before them, pursuant through the map of salvation that points the way from this world of death to the radiant City of Life. Every detail of God’s rescue and redemption comes our way and benefits us through our Maker’s humility.
The Incarnation itself, that commences our Lord Jesus’ ministry on earth, is extraordinary and incomprehensible humility. God becomes human in Mary’s supernatural Son as the Son of God taking upon himself and clothing himself in our nature. In Bethlehem the God-Man joins our race in simplicity without ceremony. The Christ is born in a space where normally animals are stalled. The first to hear the tidings of this wondrous birth are the shepherds, the roaming rogues and outcasts of society, often light-fingered in the properties and homes around their chosen resting place - the shepherds that no one trusts or believes. These are the ruffians who hear the exultant angels sing the announcement, and waking bleary-eyed discern the vast and gleaming choir of the heavens above. The lowest class of working society are privileged to be the first visitors to the newborn King.
The theme of humility unfurls throughout the whole New Testament. When Jesus eventually fulfills his ministry he goes to the poor dwelling quarters of the notoriously unworthy, mingles with the miserably sick and the impoverished while the religious leaders and those who convene at the public means of grace, such as the temple or synagogue, only deal with the penitent and needy when they are meekly approached by them for acceptance. The troubled and those who lead disapproved lives are not diligently sought out for redemption and comfort - only those who quit the cover of the neglected areas and the slums. Jesus was a familiar and surprising visitor to the wretched, helpless and hopeless.
In the apostolic continuation of the ministry of Jesus the apostle Paul relates in his letter to believers at Corinth the continuation of the humility of God in reaching out to the insignificant and overlooked folk of the populace. “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called (divine election). Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many of you were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him (effectual call) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ”Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Who is our boast? There is, sadly, a tendency to boast of achievement among some members of God’s people; much rivalry for top position— whether as author, academic, preacher, or local church leader and the aim is prominence. And sadly, the exclusivity in fashionable and classy congregations, is an offense to the gospel. How many angels have been turned away, and what reports do they bring to heaven?
RJS
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