Micah 5:2
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago”.
Micah is a difficult book as it contains much judgment. Then come this wonderful verse promising the Messiah. As in God’s custom He often works in humble, small ways. He chooses for His Son to be born in a town of low importance. We see God’s emphasis for being lowly in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Almost all of them speak of it. Here they are in verses 3 through 11: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
Israel missed Jesus. There are several reasons for this. One is they were unaware of the Messiah being lowly. As He was approaching Jerusalem on the donkey here’s what He said, ‘and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes.”‘ They wanted a king who would ride in on a horse as a conquering king riding in to deliver them from the romans.
Much of Jesus’ ministry had Him being humble and lowly. Many of the pharisees despised Jesus. They said He was one who associated with tax collectors and sinners. It wasn’t below Him to do so. He cares for all and would go to difficult places to reach them. He wasn’t worried about His reputation.
We as christians are to be christlike and are to be humble and lowly. I Peter 3:8 says, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.” This is interesting coming from Peter who used to be a brash, loud fisherman. Yet, he spent three years with Jesus and far more being filled and led by the Spirit. We have the same relationship with the Spirit. Here’s what Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.” Because we have the Spirit, We have the fruit of the Spirit, which is “love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control; against such things there is no law”, (Galatians 5:22,23).
Our responsibility is the next verse in galatians, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” The flesh is our old nature which is wild, selfish and more. Earlier verses in Galatians describe the deeds of the flesh, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”, (19-21).
What a list. Those aren’t the traits of Christ. We are to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. That list is not humble. When any part of that list arises in us, we are to ignore it. If we are on that path, we are to change it. If needed, we are to flee temptation.
The flesh wants to be king. It must be dethroned. We are to put Jesus on the throne. All day long our flesh wants its way. Jesus’ way is that of love. We are to follow His example and love God and others. Doing so often means denying ourselves.
We can get worried about ourselves. We think, “If I am always denying myself will I get anything for myself?” That’s a great question in which God gives great news. Joy doesn’t come by us filling ourselves. It comes by giving it away. But more than that, God fills us with His joy and peace.
A great couple of verses are Philippians 4:6,7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guar your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.
Lord, thank You for the gift of the Messiah. He has reconciled the world to You. Help us to be humble. Help us to crucify the flesh and put You and others first. Thank You that for filling us with joy and peace and best of all, being close to You.