May 16th | Humble

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

HUMBLE

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  

Jesus taught, “ . . . all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) Jesus “. . . made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:7-8) In His earthly ministry, Jesus never demanded the seat of honor that He deserved. He was selfless, always thinking of the needs of others. His ultimate selfless act was voluntarily offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross for the sins of humanity. 

Having the virtue of humility is appropriate for one who has received God’s pure gift of salvation. God’s forgiveness of your sins, gift of faith in His Son, and promise of eternal life are just what Ephesians 2:8-9 say, “ . . . (a) gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” 2 Corinthians 10:17 says, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” The Psalmist writes in Psalm 44:8 “In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.” 

Thomas Winger, in his commentary on Ephesians writes, “As divine clothing, ‘humility’ is a gift of Holy Baptism. . .it is a quality of Christ Himself. . . that is placed over the arrogance of the old man.” This is exactly what is stated in Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”   

St. Paul, who from a worldly point of view, had much for which he could boast. Instead, this is what he wrote as he reflected upon the grace he received from Jesus: “’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” So it is with you! 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as I wear Your robe of righteousness through the Baptism I have received, grant that Your power rest upon me so that all that I say and do is to Your glory and honor. In Your holy name. Amen. 

Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure,  
Through a world that would deceive us And to sin our spirits lure.  
Onward in His footsteps treading, Pilgrims here, our home above,  
Full of faith and hope and love, Let us do the Father’s bidding  
Faithful Lord, with me abide; I shall follow where You guide. 

Let us suffer here with Jesus And with patience bear our cross.  
Joy will follow all our sadness; Where He is, there is no loss.  
Though today we sow no laughter We shall reap celestial joy;  
All discomforts that annoy Shall give way to mirth hereafter.  
Jesus, here I share Your woe; Help me there Your joy to know. 

Let us gladly die with Jesus, Since by death He conquered death,  
He will free us from destruction, Give to us immortal breath.  
Let us mortify all passion That would lead us into sin;  
And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven,  
Jesus, here with You I die, There to live with you on high. 

Let us also live with Jesus. He has risen from the dead  
That to life we mya awaken, Jesus, You are now our head.  
We are Your own living members; Where You live, there we shall be  
In Your presence constantly, Living there with You forever   
Jesus, let me faithful be, Life eternal grant to me.  (LSB 685)