New Testament Baptist Church

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And he brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.-LUKE 2:6-7

Have you ever considered the bleakness of the first Christmas? There were no festivities or Christmas dinners or joyful carols. Jesus Christ did not make a grand entrance into this world; He came in humility. Instead of being wrapped in the finest materials, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. Mary and Joseph found a manger-a trough for animals-where baby Jesus could sleep. Our King of kings and Lord of lords entered humanity clothed in humility.

Following in the footsteps of Christ begins with living a life of humility. Samuel Morse, the famous inventor of the electric telegraph and originator of Morse Code, was once asked if he ever encountered situations where he didn’t know what to do. Morse responded, “More than once, and whenever I could not see my clearly, I knelt down and prayed to God for light and understanding.”

Morse received many honors for the telegraph but felt unworthy: “I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me.”

Samuel Morse responded humbly when praised for his invention. Humility recognizes that everything we have accomplished is fruit from what God and others have invested in us. There are no truly “self-made men,” and one who is humble, like Samuel Morse, acknowledges what he has received from others.

Jesus Christ “…humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Are you willing to clothe yourself in humility, to find the lowest place and there serve others? This is humility; this is Christ-likeness.

AMOS 4-6 & REVELATION 7

a daily WORD by PAUL CHAPPELL