The Way Down Is the Way Up: Learning Humility from Jesus
In a world that shouts "promote yourself," "build your brand," and "never show weakness," Jesus whispers something radically different: Be humble.
But what does humility really mean? And why did Jesus the King of Kings choose to live it out so dramatically?
What Does "Humble" Actually Mean?
Before we look at Jesus's life, let's dig into what the Bible means by "humble."
The Hebrew Word: Anav (עָנָו)
In the Old Testament, the word for humble is anav. It comes from a root word meaning "to be bowed down" or "afflicted." But here's what makes it beautiful:
- It describes someone who is lowly and meek not pushy or demanding
- It means not claiming your rights or insisting on your position
- It's someone who accepts difficulty without bitterness
Moses, one of the greatest leaders in history, is called "very humble, more than all men on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3). Throughout the Psalms, God promises to defend and lift up the "anawim" the humble and poor ones.
The Greek Word: Tapeinos (ταπεινός)
In the New Testament, tapeinos literally means "low-lying" like land that doesn't rise far from the ground. Originally a geographical term, it came to describe:
- Someone lowly in position or spirit
- A person who thinks of themselves as insignificant
- Having a "low view" of yourself compared to others
Here's what's fascinating: in the Roman world, humility was considered weak. The cultural heroes were proud, self-assertive, and dominant. But Christianity flipped the script entirely, transforming humility into the highest virtue.
When Jesus says in Matthew 11:29, "I am gentle and humble in heart," He's using this word tapeinos claiming to be "low to the ground" in spirit, even though He's God Himself.
Jesus: The Master of Humility
Let's look at how Jesus actually lived this out. These aren't just nice stories they're a blueprint for how we're called to live.
1. Born in a Barn
Jesus's humility started at birth. The Creator of the universe entered His own creation as a helpless baby, born to a teenage peasant girl, and laid in a feeding trough. No palace. No fanfare. Just straw and animals.
He grew up in Nazareth a nothing town that people mocked. He worked with His hands as a carpenter. For thirty years, the Son of God lived in complete obscurity.
2. Baptized with Sinners
When Jesus came to John the Baptist, John protested: "I need to be baptized by you!" But Jesus insisted. Though He had no sin, He identified with sinful humanity through baptism, saying, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15).
3. Rode a Donkey, Not a Warhorse
When Jesus entered Jerusalem as King, He deliberately chose a donkey the mount of peace and humility not a stallion of conquest. While crowds shouted His praises, He chose the path of gentleness (Matthew 21:1-11).
4. Touched the Untouchable
Lepers were outcasts diseased, isolated, considered "unclean." Jesus didn't just heal them from a distance. He touched them (Matthew 8:1-3). He made Himself ceremonially unclean to show that no one was beneath His personal care.
5. Ate with the Wrong People
Jesus regularly shared meals with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners the despised of society. The religious leaders were scandalized. But Jesus said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:13). He didn't consider Himself too good for anyone.
6. Talked to a Samaritan Woman
In John 4, Jesus broke every social rule: He spoke to a woman alone. She was a Samaritan (a hated ethnic group). She had a sketchy moral past. And Jesus asked her for a drink putting Himself in a position of need. Revolutionary.
7. Welcomed Children
When disciples tried to shoo children away, Jesus rebuked them: "Let the little children come to me" (Matthew 19:14). In a culture where children had zero social status, Jesus elevated them and said we must become like them to enter His kingdom.
8. Taught in Stories
Jesus didn't use complex philosophy or impressive rhetoric. He taught through simple parables stories about farmers, seeds, lost coins, and sheep. He communicated in ways that fishermen and common people could understand.
9. Washed His Disciples' Feet
This is the most stunning picture. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus stripped down, wrapped a towel around His waist, and washed His disciples' dirty feet the job of the lowest servant in any household.
Peter protested. But Jesus said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:15).
10. Said "Not My Will, But Yours"
In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the horror of the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). The essence of humility: surrendering your desires to God's will.
11. Stayed Silent When Accused
When falsely accused, mocked, beaten, and spat upon by the religious leaders and Roman soldiers, Jesus largely remained silent. He didn't defend His dignity or status. Isaiah prophesied, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).
12. Died a Criminal's Death
Crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals the most shameful, humiliating death imaginable. The Bible says, "anyone who is hung on a pole is under God's curse" (Deuteronomy 21:23). Jesus, the sinless Son of God, accepted this ultimate humiliation to save us.
Paul summarizes it perfectly: Jesus, "being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:6-7).
The Upside-Down Kingdom
Here's what all of this teaches us:
Humility isn't weakness it's strength under control. Jesus had all power but chose to serve.
Humility is truth knowing who you are before God. We're loved, but we're not the center of the universe.
Humility is love putting others' needs above your own status. Jesus didn't just talk about this. He lived it, all the way to the cross.
In God's kingdom, the way up is down. The greatest must be the servant. The first shall be last. It's completely backwards from how the world works and that's exactly the point.
Your Turn
So where do we start? Jesus gives us the invitation:
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
Learning humility begins with learning from Jesus. Watch how He lived. Follow His example. And remember: the God who washed feet is the same God who calls you to wash feet too.
The question isn't whether we'll face opportunities to be humble today. We will.
The question is: will we take them?
