Behold Jesus’ Humility
Let's behold Jesus this week, starting with beholding His humility. Luke writes this: "As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus." (Luke 23:26 NIV11)
Behold the Son of God, humbling Himself, and being helped.
One of the most difficult things for people when they get sick or when they get old is to humble themselves enough to receive help from others. We live in a world where independence and self-sufficiency are paramount. A certain amount of that is healthy - every adult needs to learn to stand on their own two feet and not just live on handouts.
We rightly teach our children to take responsibility for themselves and become independent. But sometimes this breeds in us an overly strong sense of self-sufficiency. When we need help, we don't ask for it. We don't allow anybody to help us. We try to prove ourselves strong when we should be humbling ourselves and embracing our weakness.
The Humility of God Made Flesh
Here comes Jesus, the Son of God. God in the flesh. Able, at any moment, to call an army of angels to His side to defeat those abusing Him and leading Him to death. Choosing, instead, to humble Himself and receive some help.
Isn't it interesting that Simon Peter, who had been by Jesus' side for three years, is nowhere to be found when Jesus most needed his help? Wouldn't this have been a wonderful moment for Simon Peter to have jumped out of the crowd and said let me help Him! But Simon Peter is AWOL - missing in action. Another Simon gets thrown into the picture, and this poor guy probably had no idea at the time what a huge moment this was.
Think about this: God is not in the business of doing it all Himself. The Bible is a long story of God drawing people into the story. In fact all of history is essentially a story of God saying to people - let's work together. Let's live together. Join me!
Co-Workers with God
Look at what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain." (2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV11)
God's co-workers! Maybe you think I'm just a labourer, God is the boss! But the Bible is clear: God works, and He invites you and me to work alongside Him.
Jesus' mission was simple: to tell the world that God loved them and offered them freedom from a life of darkness and sin. For everybody who understands that message, He invites us to work with Him in spreading it. He invites you to use your gifts, your time, your talents, your ability, your situation to join Him in changing the world.
Behold the Lamb of God - not too proud to have His people carry the burden of the world with Him.
The question is, firstly, are you too proud to ask for help? Jesus wasn't. The more important question is: will you be Simon Peter, running away from this call, or will you be Simon of Cyrene, picking up that cross, and going after Jesus?
Jesus, the Son of God, humbled Himself enough to accept help on the way to the cross. Examine today whether pride is keeping you from both receiving help and offering it to others