The Humble King Arrives

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Why is the birth of Jesus such a big deal? His life, death, and resurrection caused multiple written records of His birth and prompted a persistent movement of people. Let’s consider those people who met Jesus Christ in person, in the flesh. What were they expecting? What were they yearning for from this promised King? What did they find him to be? Which of the characteristics of this King Jesus carried lasting impact through history? Here and now through our busy holiday season of extra events, obligations, and celebrations let’s consider the answers to these questions and the implications they carry. We live in a broken world. We are part of the Jesus Movement. In what ways would we want to see more effect from these characteristics in our lives and world today?

This Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus Christ our King. We are learning more about and responding to five characteristics of King Jesus: Humble, Suffering, Victorious, Savior, Perfect. We will pray together, asking God to show more of each characteristic in our world today.

Advent – a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The Latin “adventus” is the translation of the Greek word used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. For Christians the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives: His birth at Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time. The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for His Second Coming.

We can all grow in our understanding of the gracious humility of Jesus and respond by asking God to shape us to be more like Jesus and to shape our world in this way.

Philippians 2:1-11

What do we learn about the gracious humility of King Jesus?

1. King Jesus chose a humble birth, life, and death.

King Jesus is superior and yet was born in gracious humility.

King Jesus is Superior – Colossians 1:15-20

King Jesus was born into gracious humility – Luke 2:8-20

2. King Jesus is our best example of gracious humility.

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus describes himself as “humble and gentle of heart”.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45 CSB

In John 10:1-18 Jesus explains how he fulfills the prophecy of Micah 5:2-5 as their shepherd servant leader, in ways that show his self-sacrificing gracious humility.

Gracious – pleasantly kind, benevolent, generously giving good to others regardless of if its deserved

Humble – modest, not proud, arrogant, or self-serving, in a healthy balanced state of understanding who you are, who God is, and how you should relate to others with loving respect, deference, and equality

Gracious Humility – having received undeserved new spiritual life and love from God, through Jesus, we now give other people heartfelt loving respect out of our devotion to King Jesus

Pride – confidence and satisfaction in oneself, exaggerated self-esteem

“Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin.” – Proverbs 16:18 NCV

“Because God has given me a special gift, I have something to say to everyone among you. Do not think you are better than you are. You must decide what you really are by the amount of faith God has given you.” – Romans 12:3 NCV

3. King Jesus taught us to serve each other with gracious humility.

In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus described himself as a serving leader and taught the disciples to follow his example of serving leadership.

Illustrations from the life of Jesus: In John 13:1-20, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, showing his gracious humility and teaching them to do the same. In John 4, Jesus speaks with the Samaritan woman at the well in ways that show his gracious humility and teaching them to do the same. In Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus welcomes children in ways that show his gracious humility and teaching them to do the same. In Luke 11:1-2, Jesus praises Father God, showing his gracious humility and teaching them to do the same.

This is good news because: “God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.”Proverbs 3:34 6 Be humble under God’s powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes.” – 1 Peter 5:5-6 James 4:6-7 NCV

What should we do now?

1. Read some of today’s Scriptures looking for a clearer picture of King Jesus.

2. Write your definition of gracious humility and description of our King Jesus.

3. Pray asking God to help you become more like King Jesus.

4. Write a prayer topic list of how our world can become more like King Jesus.

What do we pray for?

1. God, please help us better understand the gracious humility of King Jesus.

2. God, please help us see specific ways in which our thoughts, emotions, motives, values, decisions, and actions can become less selfish, growing in gracious humility.

3. God, please help us live in this gracious humility in our daily activities at home, work, or school.

4. God, please show us how we can bring more people into this kind of relationship with you.

5. God, please bring about a change of heart, for gracious humility, in the leaders of our businesses, organizations, neighborhoods, city, state, federal government, and the governments across the world.

6. God, please bring a value on gracious humility to the leaders of nations at war, or considering war.