Today, we start a new Sermon Series called “Aim Up!” These messages aim to align our lives with the high ideals and moral principles that Jesus taught to help us reflect God’s love, justice, and mercy in every aspect of our existence.
One of these ideas and moral principles is humility. Humility is the bedrock of Christian living and discipleship and is the root of every virtue because it nurtures our faith and forms our character. Humility allows us to be teachable and open to God’s guidance, leading to growth in virtue and holiness. As James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
When you hear the word “humility,” what characters come to mind? Perhaps you think of Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor with unwavering compassion. Or maybe you think of Mahatma Gandhi, who led a nonviolent movement for India’s independence with simplicity and grace. Then there’s Nelson Mandela, whose humility and ability to forgive those who imprisoned him became a powerful testament to strength and reconciliation. These iconic figures are celebrated for their humility and selfless dedication to serving others.
What about you? How do you think of yourself? Maybe you are the most humble person you have ever known! Just remember, if you think you are the most humble, you might want to keep it to yourself—after all, the first rule of humility is not to brag about it!
With this in mind, what would it mean for you to truly embrace humility in your daily life, to not just think of yourself as humble, but to live out that humility in every interaction? Are there areas in your life where pride or self-reliance might be holding you back from experiencing the fullness of God’s Kingdom? To explore these questions, let’s look at the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount is one of Jesus’ most profound and comprehensive teachings, found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5 through 7. Delivered on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this sermon outlines the moral vision of God’s Kingdom and sets forth the principles of how to live as his disciples. Through the Beatitudes, for example, Jesus begins with blessings that describe the attitudes and characteristics that are valued in the Kingdom of Heaven, such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking. He also goes on to address a wide range of topics, including love for enemies, the importance of forgiveness, the dangers of materialism, and the need for sincere prayer. Through all this, Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard of righteousness that surpasses mere legalistic observance, urging them to focus on the transformation of the heart.
The Sermon on the Mount starts with this,
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that highlight the virtues and attitudes valued in God’s Kingdom. The first blessing he pronounced was on the poor in spirit. This was not an accident. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was a compelling vision of what it means to be his disciple, urging his followers to seek God’s kingdom. In other words, they should “Aim up” in their lives.
The first step or the foundational aspect of this “aiming up” is humility. When Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” he was unmistakenly stating that those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their need for God are blessed. The phrase “poor in spirit” refers to an inner attitude of humility and recognition of our need of God. This “spiritual poverty” is about acknowledging our limitations and dependence on God’s grace by coming with empty hands, eager to listen, learn, and receive from God. In this sense, this “spiritual poverty” is actually a richness in spirit—a paradox where acknowledging our lack makes us more open to God’s grace. This is a key aspect of discipleship; without it, it is impossible to align our lives with God’s will.
This emphasis on humility by Jesus is a challenge for everyone who listens to shift our focus from the pride and greed of materialism and outward appearances to living a life of integrity and righteousness.
This was a challenging teaching to some of Jesus’ listeners, particularly those in power and religious authorities because it directly confronted their reliance on status, power, and legalistic righteousness. Many of the religious leaders, such as the Pharisees, were focused on external adherence to the law and took pride in their moral and spiritual superiority. Jesus’ emphasis on humility and the need for inner transformation challenged their authority and exposed the inadequacy of mere outward compliance without genuine heart change.
Does this still happen in our time? Are there still people who claim moral and spiritual superiority, yet they lack compassion and understanding? I have known a few. There are people who claim to be so spiritually and intellectually superior that they end up becoming authoritarians and ego-driven because they believe they know more and are better than everyone else.
However, the Book of Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” I have seen it happen. It often starts by feeling or thinking that we are special and deserve more than others. Over time, this mindset can define a person’s character and behavior, leading them down a path of arrogance and entitlement. They begin to see themselves as superior to those around them, dismissing others’ opinions and needs as less important.
Think of Satan when he rebelled against God; he was moved by greed, vanity, and pride. He thought he was more deserving than his Creator to rule the universe. This led to his fall, along with the angels who joined him. In this story, pride is the loss of humility and the root of every sin and evil. To us, this may look like a superiority complex that can lead to authoritarian behavior, where we impose our views on others, believing that our way is the only correct path. We also become resistant to feedback and unable to learn from our mistakes, as our pride blinds us to our own flaws and shortcomings. This arrogance not only hampers our personal growth but also limits our ability to positively impact our community and the world. Instead of “aiming up,” we gather for ourselves.
Can you think of anyone whose life has been destroyed due to a lack of humility? I can think of a few examples. In marriages, I have seen how pride can manifest as stubbornness, refusal to apologize, and insistence on being right. This leads to persistent conflicts and emotional distance between spouses. In workplaces, pride leads to power struggles and the exclusion of those deemed inferior. I have witnessed leaders, including colleagues, who lack humility and look down on others. They tend to micromanage, fail to acknowledge their team’s contributions, and resist delegation.
In contrast, Jesus’ teaching on humility invites us to recognize our shared humanity and our equal need for God’s grace and to foster mutual respect, understanding, collaboration, and reconciliation. Instead of trying to elevate ourselves above others, we are moved to serve and contribute to the wellness of those around us rather than using them as a means to get what we “deserve” or is “ours.” This humility opens us up and aligns us to become instruments of God’s love and grace in the world. It challenges us to move away from the pursuit of status and power and instead focus on living a life marked by compassion, integrity, and service to others.
Consider how the Bible is replete with examples of humility leading to divine favor. The story of King David, who was called a man after God’s own heart despite his flaws and failures. David’s humility is evident in his psalms, where he constantly acknowledges his dependence on God and seeks his guidance. In Psalm 51:17, David declares, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Similarly, the apostle Paul, recognized his need for God’s grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul writes, “[B]ut [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”
These examples illustrate that humility is not a sign of weakness but a gateway to experiencing God’s strength and power in our lives. It is through acknowledging our limitations and dependence on God that we open ourselves to his transformative work. Ultimately, being “poor in spirit” sets us up for right living because it aligns our hearts with God’s will.
How can we “Aim Up” and embrace humility in our daily lives then? Start by evaluating your relationships. Are there areas where pride is causing tension or division? Practice listening to others and valuing their perspectives, recognizing that everyone has something to contribute. Seek opportunities to serve those around you, whether by volunteering in your community or helping a neighbor in need. Make time for prayer and reflection in your spiritual life, asking God to reveal areas where you need to grow in humility and dependence on him.
Finally, let us follow the example of Jesus, who humbled himself and became a servant, even unto death, to demonstrate God’s love and grace. Let us embody this humility in our lives, aiming to reflect God’s Kingdom values in all we do. May we remember that true humility opens us to God’s transformative power, leading us to live right and aim higher in our spiritual journey. Together, let us seek to align our lives with God’s will, embracing humility as the first step on this path of discipleship.
