Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday we remember how Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey. He could have entered on a horse as a powerful revolutionary, yet He deliberately chose humility and sent out a message that He was the humble servant of mankind.
Philippians 2:3-11
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (5) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, (7) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! (9) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What secrets of humility can we learn from this text?
Humility Starts with an Attitude (v5)
(5) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…
There is a stark contrast between pride and humility:
On the one hand there is selfish ambition, vain conceit, a person looking only after their own interests. On the other there is someone who is humble and who considers others better than himself. Pride is preoccupied with self, whereas humility is preoccupied with God and others.
We read of how Lucifer (Satan) was consumed with pride in Isa 14:12-14. How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star (Lucifer), son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
Pride starts in the heart. You said in your heart, “I will...” Note all the “I wills”. Especially the last – “I will make myself like the Most High”. Pride is wilful and sets its own will up against the will of God.
Humility and obedience are central principles of the Kingdom of God, whereas,
pride and rebellion are core characteristics of the Kingdom of Darkness. Choose a humble approach – you can’t serve God under the principle of Satan. Your goals might be right – so right, but your approach can be so, so wrong.
Take the Pharisees for example, at times they were so right that they were wrong. In like manner, Feminism is pursuing good goals (gender equality), but the spirit behind the movement is often wrong.
Humility should be most evident in the church of Jesus Christ since we claim to serve the humble King. Someone said, “The attitude of the servants determines the atmosphere of the palace.”
But, humility isn’t just an attitude of the mind and heart…
Humility Expresses Itself in Action (v7)
(7) Jesus made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…
What action does humility take? It serves!
Pride won’t serve, but humility will. Pride says: “Ga! I won’t do that it’s beneath my station!” Jesus sent his disciples into Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover. They did everything well, except they forgot to appoint a servant to wash feet.
Everyone was waiting uncomfortably for someone else to fill the need.
Joh 13:3-5, 12-17 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him… When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Did you notice that Jesus’ security in who He was, released Him to serve (John 13:3-4). The proud try to prove themselves, the humble know who they are. Rick Warren says: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
Jesus expects humility and action from us v14-17
Joh 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
But now we get to something we have to factor into the equation – humility comes at a cost…
Humility Involves a Price (v8)
(8) And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
For Jesus, humility was associated with two other words: obedience and death.
Two words that don’t go together are: “No Lord!” Lord means: master, king, boss.
You can’t say no to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You can’t say no to the big boss. You say, “Yes Sir!”
Servants have given up their rights, they are not there to serve their own interests, but those of their master. We live in a world where people are continually talking about human rights. People are encouraged to demand their rights. In stark contrast, the cost of servanthood is giving up rights, giving up own interests. For example Dave Cape is a man who walked the world with a cross, a bowl and a towel. A man who left his home and family to walk the streets as a witness, washing other’s feet.
Why should we choose the humble road of servanthood? Is there anything in it for us?
Humility Releases Power (v9-11)
“Therefore” is a key conjunctive word in Scripture; always look to see what it is there for.
Because Jesus had a humble attitude, and because he became a servant, because He was obedient... (9) Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (11) and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The secret to greatness is the towel. The key to promotion is humility. The late Derek Prince put it this way. He said, “The way up is down!“.
Jas 4:6,10 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Humility will take you where pride will never get you.
Dave Cape has washed the feet of prostitutes, paupers, priests and presidents. Hearts have been softened by the actions of this humble servant.
What Must We Take Home?
Jesus chose to ride a donkey – He’s calling us to get off our high horses and onto donkeys.
Our attitude should reflect that of Jesus – the Humble, Servant King.
Our actions should be those of humble servants – we are sent to serve.
Warning – there is a price – dying to self.
Praise God – there is a reward – humility releases the awesome power of God into and through our lives.
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