With the coming of Christmas on the horizon talk begins about the humble beginnings of Jesus in a manger.  That humble beginning started a “trend” that we see throughout the course of Jesus’ earthly ministry. His was a ministry of humility, of caring, of sympathizing and empathizing with others. The only ones He had trouble with were those who didn’t think they had a problem-the religious leaders. They were, after all, the elite. Or so they thought. Jesus was constantly bringing them down to earth, down to reality, and He refused to be impressed or intimidated by their so-called credentials or status among the people. He saw through their duplicity and hypocrisy and called them on it.

Take the life of Jesus as a perfect example. He was unlike any earthly king. He did not invade the earth to impress anyone or to set up an earthly kingdom. No matter that the common folk expected Him to do that. Some suggest Judas betrayed Jesus to “call His bluff” about being king and when it went south, he turned in the silver and took his own life. That’s one of those unanswered questions that will stay unanswered. Jesus once gave His perspective on the whole thing. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mk.10:45)  Consider also His death. His death displayed the ultimate humility that characterized His whole life.

Being a servant is not on many people’s radar. Whether we talk about politicians, school administrators, CEOs, a church leader, a pastor, an athlete, or someone you work with every day, being humble, sacrificial and a servant is missing. In the church, we have false apostles and hirelings who are always looking to make a name for themselves. They make themselves the central focus of every story. They paint themselves as the hero who rides in on a white horse, instead of admitting their lack of discipline and/or having the answers. Their preaching is little more than glorified displays of their own egos. They erect monuments to themselves (while all the while publicly saying it is all about God). Somehow I just cannot see Jesus living in a multi-million dollar home and being in debt up to the yazoo because He had to have a church building that was nothing more than a glorified temple to Himself.

The Apostle Paul hit the bullseye when he said, “May I never boast except in the cross of Christ.” (Gal. 6:14)  Those are wise words we would do well to emulate. Jesus set the example for us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not build monuments that will soon turn to dust.  In reality though, you don’t have to be a rich anything, or live in a mansion to have the attitude of being better than others. Let’s begin following the example Jesus set for us: humility and sacrifice for others.