Note: Fist message in the year 2017, new academic year of Serampore College ( on 13th, June, 2017)
Given/Selected text: JOHN 1: 19 -34
John1: 19 - 34 is divided into two important sections;
i) The testimony of John the Baptist (v 19 – 28)
ii) The lamp of God ( v 29 – 34)
Therefore, basing on these texts or the two sections which are found in the book of John the gospel, we will contemplate together on the theme – “Humbleness/Humility” which is one of the striking and most important themes among the Christian circle.
As defined by many people -
Humbleness is a marked by meekness or modesty in behaviour, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful. It is also referred to showing deferential or submissive respect to someone.
In regard to the term ‘Humility’ - The Bible also describes humility as meekness, lowliness and absence of self. And the Greek word translated “humility” in Colossians 3:12 and elsewhere in the Bible literally means “lowliness of mind.” So we can see that humbleness or humility is a heart attitude or an attitude coming from the heart, not merely an outward behaviour.
If we carefully observe and study the selected text; here we also have found all the good qualities of humbleness/humility from the testimony of John the Baptist.
From the beginning of his appearance for his ministry from the wilderness, many people of his time might have thought that – He might be a prophet, or someone like a messiah. So they ask some questions saying – Are you the messiah, Elijah or the prophet? And the answer he gave was – confessing that “I am not”, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord’.
Then when they asked another question saying – “Why then are you baptizing, if you are neither the messiah, not Elijah, nor the prophet? The second answer he gave was – “The one who is coming after me is Jesus. I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal”
Therefore here, we can see – the quality of meekness, lowliness and absence of self which are also the best explanations for humbleness and humility.
It is likely that, because of these qualities found in John the Baptist, Jesus gave a profound remark on him, saying (in Mathew 11: 11) – “ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist” Even though the following statement made by Jesus is greater than this statement. I think, it is not wrong to make an emphatic statement saying that – humbleness/humility is the source and foundation of reverence and honor, peace and understanding.
Jesus also clearly said in Mt 23: 12 - “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”.
And moreover, apart from what we have already pointed out, the Bible teach us some reasons why we ought to live in a humble life:
i) As found in Proverbs 3:34. God gives favor to humble. It says – “Towards the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favour.
ii) Moreover, Proverbs 22:4 also tells us that - The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
iii) Lastly, Proverbs 11:2 also tells us - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Therefore, as we live in a community where many people from different parts of the country from different backgrounds and culture that have different colour, different interest, different taste, and life styles, etc. have gathered together here and also mingled to each other here in a community. We sometime, need to re-affirm our commitment in order that we can achieve a better life; a better quality of living and a community of life where we need to establish and enhance peace, harmony and understanding among God’s people (among us).
Therefore in order to do so, let us begin from what we called it as a low level of self-denial, in other word – showing the quality of humbleness and humility.
So that, God’s favour, wisdom, honour and life will become our treasure in life. And the life and attitude of humbleness/ humility will give us a better life, peaceful and healthy environment, a new community where God’s reign, his will is done and his name is praised.
Given/Selected text: JOHN 1: 19 -34
John1: 19 - 34 is divided into two important sections;
i) The testimony of John the Baptist (v 19 – 28)
ii) The lamp of God ( v 29 – 34)
Therefore, basing on these texts or the two sections which are found in the book of John the gospel, we will contemplate together on the theme – “Humbleness/Humility” which is one of the striking and most important themes among the Christian circle.
As defined by many people -
Humbleness is a marked by meekness or modesty in behaviour, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful. It is also referred to showing deferential or submissive respect to someone.
In regard to the term ‘Humility’ - The Bible also describes humility as meekness, lowliness and absence of self. And the Greek word translated “humility” in Colossians 3:12 and elsewhere in the Bible literally means “lowliness of mind.” So we can see that humbleness or humility is a heart attitude or an attitude coming from the heart, not merely an outward behaviour.
If we carefully observe and study the selected text; here we also have found all the good qualities of humbleness/humility from the testimony of John the Baptist.
From the beginning of his appearance for his ministry from the wilderness, many people of his time might have thought that – He might be a prophet, or someone like a messiah. So they ask some questions saying – Are you the messiah, Elijah or the prophet? And the answer he gave was – confessing that “I am not”, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. Make straight the way of the Lord’.
Then when they asked another question saying – “Why then are you baptizing, if you are neither the messiah, not Elijah, nor the prophet? The second answer he gave was – “The one who is coming after me is Jesus. I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal”
Therefore here, we can see – the quality of meekness, lowliness and absence of self which are also the best explanations for humbleness and humility.
It is likely that, because of these qualities found in John the Baptist, Jesus gave a profound remark on him, saying (in Mathew 11: 11) – “ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist” Even though the following statement made by Jesus is greater than this statement. I think, it is not wrong to make an emphatic statement saying that – humbleness/humility is the source and foundation of reverence and honor, peace and understanding.
Jesus also clearly said in Mt 23: 12 - “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted”.
And moreover, apart from what we have already pointed out, the Bible teach us some reasons why we ought to live in a humble life:
i) As found in Proverbs 3:34. God gives favor to humble. It says – “Towards the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favour.
ii) Moreover, Proverbs 22:4 also tells us that - The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
iii) Lastly, Proverbs 11:2 also tells us - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Therefore, as we live in a community where many people from different parts of the country from different backgrounds and culture that have different colour, different interest, different taste, and life styles, etc. have gathered together here and also mingled to each other here in a community. We sometime, need to re-affirm our commitment in order that we can achieve a better life; a better quality of living and a community of life where we need to establish and enhance peace, harmony and understanding among God’s people (among us).
Therefore in order to do so, let us begin from what we called it as a low level of self-denial, in other word – showing the quality of humbleness and humility.
So that, God’s favour, wisdom, honour and life will become our treasure in life. And the life and attitude of humbleness/ humility will give us a better life, peaceful and healthy environment, a new community where God’s reign, his will is done and his name is praised.
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