Walk Humbly, Mixed Media, Marcia Carole
As a newer Jesus follower, I once asked someone how Jesus first showed us humility. He said, “The Creator of the universe chose to become a helpless baby, totally dependent on two mere human beings for His care.” I’d always thought the Christmas story a profoundly powerful one, brimming with Good News for all mankind. However, when one really thinks about it, Jesus humbly, sacrificially came, not as a hot shot king, but as a financially poor, tiny baby.
He was born into a troubled family; his mom had a, less than stellar, repuation, and His earthly father had sacrificed his reputation to obey God’s command he’d heard in a dream. (I’m certain family gatherings had their tense moments.) That first night in the stable must have been humbling for all the members of the Holy family. So, I’m thinking of adding the suggestion of the nativity to this collage as a thoughtful response to God’s humility in Bethlehem.
I’ve added the suggestion of the cross in this piece because that’s where Jesus, again, shows monumental humility – dying, beaten and naked, for our wrongs, not His. God is just; He does Justice. Every wrong that we have commited or that has been committed against us has been paid for or punished. Yes, it has been taken by Jesus in His death. That’s why we can forgive and humbly extend mercy to others. This truth frees us from our “efforts” to exact punishment or to hold onto unforgiveness for wrongs commited against us.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”
– Mother Teresa
