Jesus, Model of Humility
“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but [also] everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:1-11
In his letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul encourages Christians to live a life of unity and humility, following the example of Jesus Christ. Saint Paul instructs us to, “humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” and to look out for the interests of others before our own. It is an appeal that requires that we submit to the will of God as we love and serve him, and love and serve others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “In all of his life, Jesus presents himself as our model…In humbling himself, he has given us an example to imitate, through his prayer he draws us to pray, and by his poverty he calls us to accept freely the privation and persecutions that may come our way.” (CCC, 520) In this essay, I will explore the topic of Jesus and his life and teachings as the perfect model of humility.
Humility is a virtue that is central to holiness. At the heart of Christian humility is the emptying of one’s own will and the submission to the will of God. “There is in Christ a perfect love for and obedience toward God, and a perfect love for his neighbor,” (White, 156) that is, a perfect model for obedience. Humility is, “the virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author of all good. Humility avoids inordinate ambition or pride and provides the foundation for turning to God in prayer.” (CCC Glossary, p. 882) Humility is not thinking less of ourselves. Rather, humility requires an understanding of our own limitations and imperfections, and because of that understanding, acknowledging our dependence on God. Pope Francis speaks of humility as “the only way that leads us to God ...Humility alone opens us up to the experience of truth, of authentic joy, of knowing what matters. Without humility we are ‘cut off’ … from understanding God and from understanding ourselves. Humility is needed to understand ourselves, all the more so to understand God.”[1] (Pope Francis, General Audience)
God’s desire for humble human hearts is revealed in His choosing Mary as the mother of his son. One can see in Mary’s response to the Annunciation an example of emptying of oneself for the will of God. After questioning how these things could be, Mary uttered the words, “let it be done unto me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) “Through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men, the objects of God's merciful love, into communion with Christ. And the humble are always the first to accept him: shepherds, magi, Simeon and Anna, the bride and groom at Cana, and the first disciples.” (CCC, 725)
In Christ’s incarnation, numerous examples of perfect humility are evident. “Christ did not come to this world for himself, but rather ‘for us men and for our salvation’ to his death ‘for our sins’ and Resurrection ‘for our justification.’” (CCC, 519) Christ chose to share in the human condition, taking on human flesh and becoming man. “His becoming like man involved a voluntary renunciation, which extended even to the privileges he could have enjoyed as man. He assumed "the form of a slave." He did not wish to belong to the powerful; he wished to be as one who serves. "The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve. (Mk 10:45)"[2] (Pope John Paul II) “The author of Hebrews likewise speaks of Christ ‘coming into the world,’ while saying, ‘See, I have come to do your will, O God’ (Heb 10:5—7) and says of the Son ‘through whom he also created the worlds’ (Heb 1:2) that ‘for a little while he was made lower than the angels’ (Heb 2:9).”[3] (Johnson, 154) In Jesus’ nativity we find God, made man, born in the humblest of all places, among the animals in a stable and laid to sleep in a manger. (Luke 2:7) The presence of shepherds, low in social status, at the birth of Jesus highlights that Jesus came for all people, especially the marginalized and the humble of heart. The shepherds demonstrated humility in quickly going to see the baby Jesus to worship the Christ child.
Jesus’ public ministry exemplified what it means to live in accordance with the will of the Father, and to serve others in love and charity. He said, "For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) Most of his time on earth was spent ministering to people who were considered the outcasts in his day, the lepers, marginalized, sinners, tax collectors, and others who society viewed as undesirable. His teaching too, highlighted the necessity of humility in those who wish to follow him. “The love, with which Jesus has loved us, is humble and characterized by service. ... On the eve of the passion, before instituting the Eucharist, Jesus washed the apostles' feet and said to them, ‘I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.’ (Jn 13:15) On another occasion he admonished them, ‘Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be the slave of all.’ (Mk 11:43-44)”[4] (John Paul II, 3)
Jesus’ suffering and death is the ultimate example of humility. He suffered death for the salvation of his creation. Prior to his crucifixion, Jesus again provides us with a model of perfect humility as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His prayer, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42) perfectly demonstrates the emptying of one’s own will and submission to the will of God. Jesus teaches what sacrificial love is all about, and how followers of Christ are called to embrace our crosses to follow him. “That the incarnate God should not only experience death, but the most shameful form of violent death as an executed criminal! Here is extreme paradox. And here is the reason why the earliest Christian language is so filled with tension and energy, as it strives to express how blessing can come through one cursed (Gal 3:6-14), freedom through a slave (Gal 5:1), righteousness through one made sin (2 Cor 5:21), wealth through one made poor (2 Cor 8:9), wisdom through such obvious foolishness (1 Cor 1:25), strength through weakness (2 Cor 13:4), and life for all through one man’s death (Rom 5:12-21).” (Johnson, 166)
Jesus was mocked by those who brought him to trial, scourged, ridiculed, spat upon, forced to carry his own instrument of death, and forced to see his suffering mother, before dying on the cross. Yet, despite the torture that he endured, he demonstrated humility in the words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) It is beyond human comprehension that in the midst of agonizing pain and suffering, Jesus could demonstrate this level of love and forgiveness to the very beings he was sent to redeem, the same creation who had denied and crucified him. Once again, his will was perfectly united with the Father’s will as he became both the sacrifice, and the one receiving the sacrifice, of his redemptive death. “We must remember that not only is Christ the sacrifice, but he is also the one who accepts the sacrifice because he is one with the Father in the Trinity.” (Avers, 4)
“Faced with God’s fascinating and mysterious presence, man discovers his own insignificance.” (CCC, 208) In reflecting on the humility of Jesus, his submission to the Father’s will, and his perfect love for his creation, I am reminded of the limitations of human love, intellect, and will. Jesus’ instructions are clear, although not always easy to follow. “Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls;” (Matthew 11:29) “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” (Matthew 5:3) and “Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake.” (Matthew 5:11) In my own faith journey, I must rely on prayer and the Sacraments as the source for developing humility. Only through constant prayer and love in action, will I be able to place the needs of others and to serve them before my own interests and needs, and thus live in the hope to, “be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12)
[1] General Audience; Paul VI Audience Hall; Wednesday, 22 December 2021
[2] Jesus Christ emptied Himself. Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on Jesus Christ; General Audience, Wednesday 17 February 1988
[3] Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters (p. 154).
[4] Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on Jesus Christ; Castel Gandolfo, Wednesday 31 August 1988
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