Embracing Humility in a “Me-Like” World

In the opening verses of John’s Gospel, we encounter a powerful declaration: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This profound truth lays the foundation for our understanding of Jesus, not just as a historical figure, but as the eternal Son of God who humbled Himself to walk among us. This Lenten season, we’re embarking on “The Jesus Challenge,” beginning with the essential virtue of humility.

John 1:1-14 presents Jesus as the Logos, the Word, who existed “in the beginning” with God. This isn’t just a theological concept; it’s a revelation of God’s heart. Jesus, the Creator, entered His creation, taking on human form to bring light and life to a world shrouded in darkness. John intentionally uses the term “Logos” to connect with both Jewish and Greek audiences. For the Jews, the Logos was associated with God’s wisdom and creative power. For the Greeks, Logos represented the underlying principle of reason and order in the universe. By identifying Jesus as the Logos, John bridges the gap between these two worldviews, proclaiming that Jesus is the ultimate source of both creation and revelation.

John further emphasizes the connection between light and life in verses 4-9. Just as God’s first act in Genesis was to create light, Jesus, the “true light,” enters the world to dispel the darkness of sin and ignorance. This light brings life – abundant and eternal life – to all who believe. In a world often filled with uncertainty and fear, we, as followers of Jesus, are called to be beacons of light, reflecting His hope and truth to those around us.

Our challenge is to embody the humility that Jesus demonstrated. Philippians 2:3-11 beautifully illustrates how Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself.” He willingly set aside His divine privileges, taking on the form of a servant and ultimately humbling Himself to death on a cross. This is the ultimate example of humility – a love so deep that it sacrifices everything for the sake of others.

How can we manifest this humility in our daily lives? It starts with a willingness to serve others first, putting their needs before our own. It means being genuinely interested in the interests of others, seeking to understand and support their passions and concerns. True humility also involves knowing who you are in Christ, resting securely in your identity as a beloved child of God. This security frees you from the need to prove yourself or seek the approval of others.

Furthermore, humility requires exercising authority over your flesh. Just as Jesus resisted temptation and remained obedient to the Father’s will, we must cultivate self-control and discipline in our own lives. Finally, humility is revealed in how we handle promotion and success. True humility doesn’t shrink back from responsibility, but it also doesn’t allow achievement to inflate our ego. We recognize that all we have comes from God, and we use our gifts and opportunities to serve Him and others.

St. Benedict, in his Rule for Monks, outlines a helpful framework for cultivating humility. He identifies three key steps:

As we journey toward Easter, let’s embrace “The Jesus Challenge” and allow humility to transform our lives. By surrendering our “me-like” pride, we can reflect the light and life of Jesus to a world in need.