Christ as the truly humble man

Which of us truly glories in the Lord day and night? The beauty of God’s kingdom is that true success, true glorying in God alone, is not required for getting in or staying in. This is wonderful news for us, who so often fail to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness. For that reason, we desperately need the success that Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf. Was there ever a leader who was less about himself and more about the Lord? He left the halls of heavenly glory and was born in a manger in a backwater community. He entered the ultimate enemy territory, here on earth. And not with an army of thirty-two thousand, nor with ten thousand, nor even with three hundred. He came all alone. And he mentored a tiny group of disciples who constantly bickered among themselves as to who was the greatest. At the end, they all abandoned him and fled, in some cases strongly denying that they had ever met him. Then he was crucified on a cross, the punishment reserved for the most heinous and despised criminals. This is not success as the world defines it.

But his was the position of true success—the position of giving all the glory to God by giving up his life as a ransom for many. In everything, Jesus sought his Father’s kingdom above his own interests, laying down his life for glory seekers like us. And that is where his own glory was put on full display: in his death, as he vanquished the greatest, most powerful enemy, and atoned for our glorying in ourselves. And he found his glory also in his resurrection, with his bride on his arm, having washed her by his blood, to present her to God. Now he is in heaven, where his name is now exalted above every name.

As a result, all who are now united by faith to this crucified and risen Christ are linked forever to his glory. So when the Father looks at us, he does not see glory seekers. He sees glory givers. Does this not free you up to give yourself fully in service to Christ and his kingdom? Whether you succeed or fail—by whatever standard—ultimately counts for nothing. Your only hope and glory rest in the fact that whatever your earthly status or success or failure, your faithful Saviour has loved you and given himself for you.