Humble

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

HUMBLE

Matt 21:1-5

21:1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."  4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'"  

NIV

This is the beginning of what has been called the triumphant entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Although he ultimately was triumphant over death in this city, his entrance into it was not in the manner of a triumphant war winning king. Horses were not used as beast of burden but rather as war horses. Most of the Old Testament references to horses is in conjunction with chariots or other uses for the purpose of war. If a king won the battle over a city, he would ride in as a conquering king upon his horse. A king riding upon a donkey into a city was only done if he road in for a mission of peace. This is the reason Jesus did not want a horse, but rather the colt of a donkey. Both Mark and Luke mention he rode on the colt of a donkey. But in the concerned manner Jesus has for all creation, he would not separate a colt from its mother, so he has his disciples bring both of them to him. Yet here he is riding in all humility into the city upon the colt of a donkey. Of course this fulfilled what was said about him, which also confirms he is the all-powerful, all knowing Christ. Giving his disciples the precise circumstances in which they would find and be able to take this donkey and her colt also proves his divine all-knowing power, which only God has. Yet he humbles himself to ride upon a colt of a donkey to submit himself to the brutal hands of the very men he came to save. In him there was no pride. He was the consummate servant, the most obedient Son of God. This should serve as the most important lesson for our life. It would seem pride is one of the most difficult things to shake. It is especially difficult when other people might lift us up in some way or another. When we give encouragement it might be misunderstood as praise which leads to pride. Then again there are times when people do actually praise each other for either their accomplishments or their positions or possessions. Sometimes praise is given for intellectual prowess or number of degrees earned. It is easier to have pride then have humility. We might even contain a certain degree of pride regarding how much scripture we have read, or can quote including chapter and verse, or how much time we spend in prayer and meditation. Yet Jesus continually shows us true humility as the way of life. If we love each other, if we love our neighbor as ourselves, if we are to love our enemies, then we would desire most of all to serve them. Jesus said he did not come to be served but to serve. Should we think any other way? It seems so much easier to talk about ourselves then allow others to talk about themselves. That might well be due to a certain amount of self-centeredness which is indeed a prideful moment. When we want credit it is not humility. There is so much to consider when it comes to being humble rather than prideful. Let us be more aware of being as humble as Jesus.