Humility vs. Pride

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. - Matthew 3:13-15 (NKJV)

Waiting in lines, holding on the phone, taking the last place, all speak about one thing: humility.

The thing about humility that really bothers most people is the thought of being:

- under and not on top
- inferior and not superior
- a servant and not a master
- last and not first
- a loser and not a winner
- dependent and not independent
- poor and not rich

The list can be so much longer than this but I think you get the point.

Most people are so unwilling to be placed under a higher power. Everyone wants to be the boss. Everyone yearns for absolute power. The trouble with this attitude is that it also reflects in our unwillingness to yield to God.

However, Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, took a different turn one day when he came to the river Jordan to be baptized by John the baptist. John, upon seeing Him, immediately knew his place in the scene. John knew who he was looking at and he made it very clear to the Lord that he also knew who should be baptizing who. Jesus, however, said something that left John with nothing less than one of the most humbling experiences in all his life.

"Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

All righteousness. Not some righteousness. But all.

Friend, keep this reminder close with you. Remember, that the highest people in life are not those who are feared, but rather, they are those who are respected. Respect comes to those who are willing to exalt or lift others up and not to those who bring people down. God bless you!

Humility breeds righteousness and respect.
Pride breeds corruption and condemnation.