Modesty-A QUALITY THAT PROMOTES PEACE

The Messiah and His Forerunner

Over 1,000 years after Solomon's day, John the Baptizer performed a work of preparing the way for the Messiah.  As forerunner of the Anointed One, John was fulfilling Bible prophecy.  He could have boasted about his privilege.  John could also have tried to bring honor to himself because he was a fleshly relative of the Messiah.  But John told others that he was unworthy even to untie Jesus' sandal.  And when Jesus presented himself for baptism in the Jordan River, John said:  "I am the one needing to be baptized by you, and you are coming to me?"  This indicates that John was not a boastful person.  He was modest. -Matthew 3:14; Malachi 4:5, 6; Luke 1:13-17; John 1:26,  27.

After Jesus was baptized, he embarked on a full-time ministry, preaching the good news of God's Kingdom. Even though Jesus was a  perfect man, he said:  "I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative . . . I seek, not my own will,  but the will of him that sent me."  Furthermore, Jesus did not seek honor from men, but he gave Jehovah the glory for everything he did.  (John 5:30, 41-44)  What modesty!

Clearly, then, loyal servants of Jehovah -such as David, Solomon, John  the Baptizer and even the most perfect man Jesus Christ-displayed modesty.  They did not boast, were not vain, or conceited,and kept within proper bounds.  Their examples are reasons enough for modern-day servants of Jehovah to develop and display modesty.  Yet, there are still other reasons for doing so.

In this turbulent period of mankind's history, modesty is a quality  that is of great value to true Christians.  It enables  one to be at peace with Jehovah God, with fellow humans and with oneself.

Next time: Peace With Jehovah God

Watchtower, 2000