Are you ready? This morning’s seeds will season any life.
Meekness: humility, gentleness. Who doesn’t need more humility demonstrated in our lives. Think of how many arguments would be ended before they started if each of us were a bit more humble – if we didn’t feel it was necessary to defend ourselves to those who didn’t understand or to “stand up for ourselves” so we wouldn’t be taken advantage of. Yes, we all need to plant seeds of meekness.
Jesus is our example of meekness and humility. He is the Son of God but he took on the form of a man to come to earth for us. He experienced ridicule and persecution from the very ones he was coming to die for. He didn’t defend himself not even at the judgment hall before his crucifixion. What he did defend was his Father; he stood unflinchingly strong on the Word of God. He didn’t back down and in fact, verbally battled those who came against and spoke contrary to God’s word and His nature.
“Blessed are the meek (humble): for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:10
“Young people, I have something to say to you too. You should accept the authority of the elders. You should all have a humble attitude in dealing with each other. “God is against the proud, but he is kind to the humble.” So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes.” I Peter 5:5-6
“God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: Show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle, and patient.” Colossians 3:12
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
When we plant meekness and allow it to grow we will be like Jesus and make of ourselves no reputation but represent and defend the name of Almighty God.
“Think as Christ Jesus thought. 6 Jesus has always been as God is. But He did not hold to His rights as God. 7 He put aside everything that belonged to Him and made Himself the same as a servant who is owned by someone. He became human by being born as a man. 8 After He became a man, He gave up (humbled) His important place and obeyed by dying on a cross. 9 Because of this, God lifted Jesus high above everything else. He gave Him a name that is greater than any other name. 10 So when the name of Jesus is spoken, everyone in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow down before Him. 11 And every tongue will say Jesus Christ is Lord. Everyone will give honor to God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 NLV
You’ve heard the term “stage mom”, well Jesus had a “disciple mom” to deal with. She wanted her sons to have important roles in the kingdom that Christ was setting up. See, many thought that Jesus came to set up a physical kingdom which would overthrow the Roman rule and as such they were looking for places of distinction in this kingdom.
“The mother of James and Johncame to Jesus with her two sons. She knelt down and started begging him to do something for her. 21 Jesus asked her what she wanted, and she said, “When you come into your kingdom, please let one of my sons sit at your right side and the other at your left.”
22 Jesus answered, “Not one of you knows what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the cupthat I must soon drink from?” James and John said, “Yes, we are!” Matthew 20:20-22 CEV
The most important people in the kingdom sat at the king’s right and left side. Jesus, however, knew that His kingdom was a spiritual one and not one on earth. So when he asked the question if they were willing to drink of the same cup as Him he was referring to the suffering of his death. James and John didn’t realize that and so they answered that they were able to do that.
The reason Jesus pushed through fatigue, ridicule, and hardship was because He had put on a coat of humility or meekness.
“And if you want to be first, you must be the slave of the rest. 28 The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescuemany people.” Matthew 20:27-28 CEV
Who is it we can serve today? Serving those we love can at times may be more difficult than serving strangers. When we serve the same people day in and day out we can develop a resentment if we aren’t careful. We begin to ask, “what have they done for me” or “do they even appreciate what I’m doing”. Questions like this are a true sign that there are some weeds in the garden trying to choke off the fruit that grows from the seeds of humility. Pull them out immediately!
How? By thanking God for bringing such wonderful people into our lives and by thanking Him for giving us the opportunity to love and care for them. Recognize and accept the wonderful assignment we have been given, an assignment that no one else in the world has been trusted with nor can they do it any better. God has prepared us for this very thing.
Be grateful for the ability and the opportunity to serve others, it’s what makes us more like Jesus.