Friday, January 19, 2018

Majestic Humility

There was only One person in the world who had something to be proud of and He wasn't.

In fact, the Lord Jesus Christ's earthly life was so humble and unassuming many could not believe who He was.  In fact, the Scriptures tell us that even His own brothers didn't believe who He was.  "For neither did His brethren believe in Him." (John 7:5.)

Those who saw the glorified Lord Jesus had a totally different reaction.  Peter, James and John having seen the transfigured Lord Jesus, fell on their faces to the ground in fear.

"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.  
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.'  
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.'  
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, 'Arise, and be not afraid.' " (Matthew 17:1-7.)

The Apostle John, seeing the vision of the glorified Christ had a similar response:

"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, 'I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.' 
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in his right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.  
And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, 'Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.' " (Revelation 1:9-18.)

The Apostle Paul, on his way to Damascus, still as Saul of Tarsus, saw and heard the risen Lord Jesus Christ:

"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.   
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' 
And he said, 'Who art thou, Lord?'
And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.'  
And he trembling and astonished said, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?'
And the Lord said unto him, 'Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.'  
And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.  
And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." (Acts 9: 1-9.)

Peter, James and John lived with the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry.  They knew well the Humble Lord Jesus, and yet, when faced with the transfigured and glorified Christ, they fell to their faces.  Saul of Tarsus, later to become the Apostle Paul, persecuted Christians with misplaced pride and zeal.  Until he met the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Then the man who hated Christ and Christians fell to his face, blinded by the Light of the world.

But the Lord Jesus never leaves His children on their faces.  The touch of the humble Christ encourages them to "fear not." 

One day those of us who have placed our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus will see Him as He is.  I have no doubt that we will have the same response as Peter, James, John and Paul.  We will fall to our faces in worship before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the One who created all we are and all we see.  Then, that Majestic Humility will reach down and whisper to us, "Fear not, it is I." 

What sweeter sound can we ever hear?

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