The Search for Humility

ESV

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

New Living Translation

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
     but he keeps his distance from the proud. 

ESV

The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.

The Message

God puts the fallen on their feet again
     and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

ESV

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

The Message

The stuck-up fall flat on their faces,
     but down-to-earth people stand firm.

ESV

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

The Message

If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2

ESV

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Message

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

John 13:5

ESV

Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

The Message

So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron.

Matthew 3:13-15

ESV

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.

The Message

13-14 Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”

15 But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.

Mark 10:45

ESV

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Message

That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

Hebrews 4:15

ESV

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

The Message

We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin.

2 Corinthians 8:9

ESV

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

The Message

You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us—in one stroke he became poor and we became rich.