Jesus Set the Patter of Humility - AS A HUMAN, "HE HUMBLED HIMSELF"

Paul wrote that while Jesus was a human, "he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake." (Philippians 2:8) From his childhood on, Jesus left us a pattern, or an example, of humility to imitate.  Jesus obeyed his parents, Joseph and Mary, even though they were  imperfect.  (Luke 2:51) This is a fine example for young ones. God will bless them for their obedience to their parents.

As an adult, Jesus in many ways that he was humble.  The most important thing for him was to do Jehovah's will. (John 4:34) During his ministry, Jesus Christ used God's name and taught people about God's purpose and the kind of God his Father is.  Jesus not only taught people to live in way that pleased God but also lived that way himself.  For example, when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, the first thing he mentioned was: "Let our heavenly Father, Jehovah be sanctified, let your Kingdom come and let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9) Here Jesus showed his disciples that the most important thing for them to do was to glorify Jehovah's name.  So Jesus himself did that.  Near the end of his life on earth, Jesus could say to Jehovah: "I have made your name known to them and will make it known." (John 17:26) Also, Jesus often said that he could not do anything without Jehovah's help. - JOHN 5:19. 

Zechariah prophesied about the Messiah:  "Be very joyful O daughter of Zion.  Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem.  Look! Your King himself comes to you.  He is righteous, yes, saved; humble, and riding upon an ass, even upon a full-grown animal the son if a she-ass."  (Zechariah 9:9)  This was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Passover in the year 33.   Many people spread clothes as well as tree branches on the road.  In fact, the people in Jerusalem were excited when they heard that he was entering the city.  Even when   these people praised him as their King, Jesus was humbled. - MATTHEW 21:4-11.

While he was on earth, Jesus Christ showed humility and obedience until his death on a torture stake.  He proved in the best possible way  that humans can stay loyal to Jehovah even in extremely difficult situations.  Jesus also showed that Satan was wrong when he said that humans  serve Jehovah only because of what they can get from him.  (Job 1:9-11; 2:4)  By perfectly obeying his Father, Christ defended Jehovah's right to rule and showed that he trusted that Jehovah's  way of ruling is the best. It must have made Jehovah very happy to see his humble Son show perfect loyalty. -Read PROVERBS 27:11.

Jesus' death on  a torture stake made it possible for people to be saved from sin and death.  (Matthew  20:28)  Because of Jesus' sacrifice, Jehovah can forgive our sins according to his righteous requirements and give humans the opportunity to live forever.  Paul wrote: "Through one act of justification the result to men of all sorts is a  declaring of them righteous for life." (Romans 5:18)  Jesus' death made it possible for  those anointed by holy spirit to have everlasting life in heaven and for the "other sheep" to have everlasting life on earth. - JOHN 10:16; ROMANS 8:16, 17.

Next time:  Jesus Set the Pattern of Humility - I AM "LOWLY IN HEART"

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