ESOCS Devotional 6 April 2021
TEXT: MATTHEW 20:17-28
MEMORY VERSE: “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.” Matthew 20:26 KJV
Humility is a hallmark of a Christian who truly is modeling Christ in his or her life and leadership. We are called to humility as Christian leaders. Jesus modeled this humility when He said this of Himself: “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). As Jesus gave His life to serve others, to minister and lay down His life, the Christian leader is called to serve in this way, in humility, as well.
Paul talked about Christ’s humility in Philippians 2:4-8 when he said, “Look not every man on own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death of the cross.”
As leaders, we are tempted to lead in our own power and strength, and to make our leadership centrally focused on ourselves. Neither can we lead in our own strength nor do we have the power on our own to lead in humility. We must seek out Christ and live and lead in the power of His Holy Spirit. We cannot go at it alone. Even in our trying to lead in our own strength, our pride is illustrated.
Scripture is clear: Our pride and strength will get us nowhere in our leadership. Proverbs 16 says this about pride and humility: “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good, and whoso trusted in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs 16: 18 – 20).
Humility is revealed when we can learn from God’s Word, follow God’s Word and live a life that reflects God’s Word in love, respect, truth, and service to God and others. (Proverbs 3:5-8). Humility in leadership is about desperate dependence on Jesus and serving with a heart of trust and obedience. (Phil. 2:1-11). It is revealed when we recognize that we are not here to be served but to serve God and others in a way that the world will see Jesus. Jesus did not come to this earth to be served but to serve others Matt.20:25-28). We should be like Him.
Our job as Christian leaders is like what John said about himself in relation to Jesus: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This humility exalts God in Christian leadership and not self. Such humility is central to Christian leadership.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
Do you carry out your service in the house of God with humility? Which areas of your life have you not humbled before God?
PRAYER POINT
Ask the Lord to fill you with the spirit of humility for His service to humanity.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 16:18-20; Matthew 18:3-4
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ESOCS Devotional 6 April 2021
Good teaching. He who humbles himself will be exalted.