Humility before exaltation

We continue our journey through the book of Hebrews, focusing on the theme of “Humility Before Exaltation.” The passage, Hebrews 2:5-18, speaks about the path Jesus took through humility and suffering to reclaim what was lost for humanity through sin. It’s a powerful reminder that Jesus is not just better than angels, man, or even great prophets—He is the ultimate and perfect leader who made salvation possible for all of us through His sacrifice.

From the very beginning, God’s original plan was for mankind to rule over the earth, as outlined in Psalm 8. However, humanity’s fall into sin disrupted this purpose. We see in Jesus the restoration of this plan, as He humbled Himself, left the glory of heaven, and tasted death for all humanity. Jesus' humility, exemplified in His suffering, reminds us that God’s love is not a pampering love, but a perfecting love. He uses our suffering to shape us into who He’s called us to be.

The lesson of humility is one that we all must embrace in our own lives. Jesus shows us that humility is not weakness, but strength under control. He surrendered His will to God’s plan, and we are called to do the same. We must recognize that we are not in control, our role in life is small compared to God’s grand plan, and life is ultimately about Jesus. By humbling ourselves and depending on Him, we prepare for the glory that is to come.

Suffering and humility are not detours in the Christian life—they are the very path that leads to glory. Jesus suffered and was humiliated on the cross, but through that suffering, He defeated two of our greatest enemies: Satan and the fear of death. By dying on the cross, Jesus took on our greatest fears and emerged victorious, so that we no longer have to live in fear. His resurrection gives us hope and confidence in the future glory that awaits us.

The example of Jesus shows us that the path to exaltation is not through power or pride, but through humility and dependence on God. Just as Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, we are called to empty ourselves of pride, let go of our desire to control everything, and trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when it involves suffering. We need to run back to Jesus daily, acknowledging our need for Him.

Our challenge is to remember that this life is not about squeezing everything we can out of our brief time on earth. Instead, our focus should be on eternity and preparing for the glory that is yet to come. Every season of suffering, every moment of humility, is preparing us for the day when we will rule with Jesus as our King.

So let’s stay humble. Let’s remember that Jesus has already walked this path of suffering and victory, and He is with us as we walk through our own challenges. Let’s trust that in His perfect plan, our humility will one day be exchanged for exaltation when we see Him face to face. In Christ, we have nothing to fear—our victory is already won.

​- Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 10/6/24.