II Samuel 7.1-29
Luke 1.26-38
It is fascinating to watch certain family traits passed down from generation to generation. I have a picture of my dad and I from 1989 from a Father/Son Banquet. When it was developed (remember that- it was 22 years ago) it showed he and I seated in the exact same position, our feet in the identical position and our arms and hands as well. There was no mistaking that he was my father and I was his son.
Family traits are transmitted in DNA from generation to generation, both physical and emotional and even spiritual.
1. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a descendant of of David and had the same humble spirit. Luke 1.26-38
We read about David's response to the LORD telling him He was going to honor him by building him a house.
Mary, when greeted by the Angel Gabriel, was greatly troubled. This brought distress to Mary. She was agitated with alarm. She was stirred like a troubled sea within her soul. And yet she humbly submitted -v.38 I am the LORD's servant. May it be to me as you have said.
David, on receiving the Word of the LORD through Nathan the prophet, had a similar response.
II Samuel 7.18-21
Who am I?
What is my family, that You have brought me this far?
Is this You usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?
Go back to I Samuel 17 to his battle with Goliath.
He turned down the armor.
He went out with his shepherd's gear.
He said, "I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel."
You can see the humility in David and in Mary. She was more than a physical descendant of King David. She had the same humility when it came to the things of God.
When God sent Samuel the prophet to the home of Jesse to anoint one of his sons King over Israel, it was David, the 8th son, the baby of the family, the shepherd Whom God chose.
David was a man after God's own heart. - Acts 13.22
When God was ready to send His Son to earth, to be born of a virgin, He chose Mary, a humble servant, a young girl who was living in Nazareth.
2. Jesus Christ Humbles Himself. Philippians 2.5-8
In coming to earth from heaven.
In becoming a man. Christmas tells how it happened Matthew 1.18-
In making Himself nothing.
In taking on the very nature of a servant.
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
3. Follow Christ in Humbling Yourself. I John 2.6
Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.
By claiming to live in Him we are testifying that we are part of the Family of God, that God is our Father in heaven and we are a child of His. This is proof we are His children- the fruit of His Spirit- family resemblance.
We are to be like Christ in His humility. He despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows. The manger and the cross- how He came in and how He went out.
*Humble yourself in times of trouble. James 5.13
*Humble yourself in times of honor and victory. I Samuel 18.17-23
*Humble yourself when you are suffering I Peter 4.19, 5.6-7
Christ's humility- Men may fear a throne but there is no fear at a manger.
Living a life of humility pleases the LORD. He gives grace to the humble. It is such a wise way to live. It is the way of peace. It eliminates many problems that pride brings in. Most of all it is pleasing to the LORD.
David and Mary, humble servants of the LORD.
Jesus, God in the flesh, God's Son.
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