The Humiliation of Christ

 The Humiliation of Christ (Maundy Thursday 4/17/25- Eastminster) by Dr. Ben Sloan Jn. 13:31-37; Phil. 2:1-10; Mark 10:45

Humiliation is a tough word.  I think of the Middle School student who is embarrassed to be seen with their parents in public- walking behind them five steps.  But humiliation is the bringing down of someone high up.         So we may think of examples of humiliation- as a preacher who has been kicked out of their church- Like Jim & Tammy Baker who had a TV ministry of millions called the PTL Club from 1974-1987 and developed a Christian Theme Park called “Heritage USA” in Fort Mill, SC. He went to prison for fraud- charged w/ infidelity.
Jefferey Epstein; Prince Andrew; Harvey Weinstein; Martha Stewart. 
Humiliation is seen as a terrible nightmare that we avoid at all costs.  Some love to see the fall of others.  Jesus purposefully fell- not sinning, but humbling himself.  You cannot really understand Maundy Thursday if you don’t understand Jesus’ humiliation. 
Our Westminster Confessions speak of Christ’s work as prophet priest and king- both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.  The humiliation of Christ is something done willingly for us.  It consists in
1) Leaving the throne of heaven to be born in a stable- in a humble condition- not in a palace.
2) Being made subject to the laws of nature and human laws.  The King of kings became a subject.
3) Undergoing the miseries of this life- Jesus knew what it was like to be hungry, thirsty, get tired, feel alone, to suffer- he understands.
4) Face the wrath of God- He bore the punishment that we deserved on the cross.
5) The death of the cross- All the scorning, mocking, whipping, mock trials, the torture.  The cross was meant to be an element of humiliation as well as suffering- it was publicly visible- took a long time so it was hard to miss.
6) Being buried- He was put away.  They tried to seal and guard his tomb to make sure he stayed there- but He didn’t. 
But Christ talked all about not exalting ourselves- but exalting God the Father.
He said, “He who would lose his life will save it.”
“If anyone would follow me, they must deny themselves, take up the cross and follow me.”
“Now that I your teacher and Lord have washed your feet, you should also serve one another.” 
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” 
Jesus’ cousin and forerunner, John The Baptist likewise said, “If someone wants you to go one mile- offer two; share your coat, your food with others. Be content with your pay.” John also said he was not worthy to untie the messiah’s sandals- that He must increase and I must decrease.”
In our first world thinking- we are tempted to think of Jesus as making our lives easier, and better.  It is true, I think that the Christian life of love is the very best way to live- but it is not always easy.  In much of the church, service and suffering are ways we become like Christ. 
The suffering we face purges off the unimportant trivial distractions.  Job said, “When He has tried me I will come forth as gold.”  When you have been told by the doctor you only have a few months to live- it changes what is important to you. 
When you are in pain- you priorities change too.  Paul says (Rom. 8:18) “Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  When you know you will live forever, you know suffering and death are not the last word- and that is how so many disciples of Christ including 10 of the disciples- could face death bravely.   James tells us to “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds- knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance- and in the end maturity.”  Suffering has meaning because of the humility of Christ. 
Likewise- losing our pride in service to others is also Christlike.  When we suffer for others or God- it is redemptive/healing suffering.  When we get out of ourselves in service- we find relief from suffering.Laura Story- b Augusta- USC-CIU- Carl Evington Brain Tumor- why not heal?  John Calvin- founder of the Presbyterian church- says that the two parts of the Christian life are mortification and vivification- that is dying to self- and living to God.  Calvin was no stranger to suffering- he was sick with something most of his ministry, he had been hunted down by the catholics, and kicked out by the secularists.  He lost his wife and had several stillborn children.  People made fun of him.  Yet he continued to give himself to God.  
Think in history of great people who were humiliated only to come back to success.  Einstein was so slow to talk that his teacher called him “misfit” and he failed his first college entrance exam- but ended up as the world’s greatest physicist. 
Nelson Mandela was arrested and in prison for 27 years- they thought they had silenced him, but he led the revolution of South Africa becoming its first president. 
Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested.  He famously wrote, “Letters from a Birmingham Jail.”   And led the world in the abolishment of segregation in the United States. 
J.K. Rowlng was turned down 12 times before her Harry Potter series was published.
Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper for lacking creativity.
Steve Jobs was fired from Apple only to be asked later to return and run the company- which he did- leading it to the richest company in the world.  Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team but went on to be a legend.  Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard and his first company failed before he founded Microsoft.  Josh Sullivan was trying to start a church- now that he has been rescued from his kidnappers he has a platform and a bullhorn for the gospel. 
Humility and humiliation often strengthens us for success if we persevere. That is part of God’s design.  Success and suffering or humiliation are often linked. 
Jesus teaches this in coming down for us- leaving heaven, living a poor life- born in a stable, being a refugee to Egypt, not having a house- he said famously, “Foxes have holes, birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  Dying the public humiliating death of a wicked person- though He was innocent. 
Maundy Thursday is about the humiliation of Christ- He washed their feet; He gave Himself as the bread and the cup.  He was praying til he bled in the garden.  He was betrayed by a friend- arrested.  He was left alone and later that night Peter denied Him.  Humiliating. 
The context of the new commandment/mandate- Love one another as I have loved you- is the humbling way He loves us- How has he loved us?- He gave His body and blood.  The concrete way of showing love is humble even sacrificial service.   Our faith, our words of love mean little without humility and sacrifice.  He washed the feet of his betrayer- and shared a meal with him.  God has served us in Jesus.  Let us humbly love one another and keep the love feast.