The third branch of this spiritual reality is simplicity, which remember, is being less enthralled with earthly pleasures and having an iron resolve in tough times to obey the Lord. If there was ever a person who was truly dead to the world, it was Jesus, who did not run from the enjoyments of life, but never made it his ambition to pursue them. Though Jesus allowed others the joys of marriage and even blessed such occasions with his presence, he chose an unmarried life. Though he provided wine for the joy of others, he did not seek to satisfy his own hunger in the wilderness testing. So gracious was the heart of Christ in allowing others to enjoy what he denied himself, he supplied not just the needs of others, but gave small things for their enjoyment. We often hear of the sorrow of Jesus, but not of his laughter. He once rejoiced in his spirit, but the whole of his life was one characterized by Isaiah, as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).
The troubles of his life were of his own choosing, for no one else ever appeared on the stage of world history with such great advantage, so as to multiply the catch of fish or bring out coins from their mouths. He could have easily have become the wealthiest person in the world, if he so desired. He could have marshaled an army strong enough to topple Caesar from power. And having fed thousands from a few loaves and small fishes, he did not seek to find fulfillment in this life.
"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20)
Most of his companions were not the rich and powerful, but the poor and the outcasts of society.
Considering the Humility of Jesus
And now the final branch of the tree we are calling true spirituality. It is humility, which Jesus is the prime example, for we are to “learn from him, for he is gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Beyond the infinite condescension of the eternal Son of God in taking on our human nature, we should focus on his life while he walked this earth. He had none of those faults and foibles that make the rest of us, so to speak, humble. He was completely overwhelmed with the awareness of God’s perfections, that he gave little thought to himself as far as being a man. He considered his own perfect nature, not as his own possession, but as a gift of God. He was without pretension or arrogance even in knowing He was divine. For example, when he was addressed as the “Good Teacher”, he seemed to give no reference to his divine nature when he replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19).
He emphasized that any goodness found in anyone is not worthy of any notice since God alone is the source of all that is good. He never used his power to perform miracles to be noticed. He refused to gratify the curiosity of the Jews with signs and ignored the advice of the crowd to garner great fame. Only out of love did he bring relief to the suffering and often in what we may call a hidden miracle. The times his miracles were witnessed by many, he was always giving glory to His Father, as “if in himself he was able to do nothing” (John 5:19,30).
Furthermore, Jesus showed humility in refusing to be made an earthly king, in his obedience to his parents, and in his endurance in the face of his enemies. If one were to study every detail of his life it would be a school in true humility. But now let me interrupt this very wordy letter with a prayer that knowing more about this true spirituality, it may become more of a reality in your life.
Great God, what a mighty faith we have been called to. How gracious are you to join our duty to our joy and so design our reward to be in the performance of our work. Can we who are nothing be brought up to such heights? Allow us to lift our eyes to you. Will you receive the affections of our hearts? Might we rejoice in your perfections and majesty by gazing upon them, and receiving your blessings by simply loving You? Oh, the true joy of those who have broken the chains of self-love, and be liberated from every lesser good or purpose, having their minds enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and their wills so enlarged as to love You above all things, and love others for Your sake. I am convinced, O God, I am so convinced that I can never be happy, until I am truly dead to desires and loves of this world, and cease to think about myself. Oh, when shall that time come? Oh, will You even now come to me and satisfy this longing to be more like You, to be holy like You, in all aspects of my living? Having given me the hope of such a promise, will you hold it from me now? Now that you have given me this inward desire, will you not satisfy it? Oh, teach me to do your will, for you are my God, your Spirit is good, and so lead me in the way of righteousness. Renew my life, O Lord, for your Name’s sake, and complete your work in me. For your mercy endures forever, forsake not the work you have begun in me. Amen.
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