Jonathan Munson, Executive Director, RFTH
“They saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”
Matthew 2:11
If you visit The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, you’ll have to get on your knees…at least you will if you want to see the cave traditionally believed to be where Jesus was born.
Known as “The Door of Humility,” the entrance to the church is only 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, which means you must bend down to enter. Through the years, the small door has served as a symbolic reminder to tourists and religious pilgrims alike:
If you’re going to see the birthplace of the King of kings, bowing in humility is the only appropriate way to enter.
Consider the wise men.
The moment they saw Jesus, they instinctively bowed down. To lift Him high, they immediately got low. Bowing was and remains an outward sign of inward humility.
These men, who were probably powerful and significant in their own right, didn’t cling to their pride or position. They didn’t act like they were doing Jesus a favor by showing up. Instead, though Jesus was just a child, they humbled themselves and fell to their knees.
But think about this: Not everyone who saw Jesus bowed down to Him. For example, let’s say that Mary and Joseph took Jesus with them to the marketplace in Bethlehem. I imagine most people thought Jesus was just a typical little boy, nothing more. And so, they went about their business and passed right by the Lord of creation. How unfortunate…
So, why did the wise men bow down? What made them respond differently?
I can think of several reasons:
- They saw Jesus for who He really is, the Savior of the world.
- They recognized they were in the presence of Someone greater than themselves.
- Bowing was an expression of reverent worship.
- Bowing showed their submission to Jesus’ authority.
As we read these qualities, we must ask ourselves: Am I more like the wise men or the people in the marketplace? Do I worship Christ in reverent humility, or am I so consumed with my life that I casually pass Him by?
Perhaps it’s time for you to reclaim the humility of the wise men. Maybe you’ve drifted into pride and become accustomed to living apart from Jesus. Maybe you’ve lost your sense of reverence for the Savior. I understand. It happens to all of us.
To reclaim the humility of the wise men, we must realize that growing in humility isn’t an act of the will. As much as we try, we cannot make ourselves more humble.
The wise men teach us that humility is a byproduct of seeing and seeking Jesus. Seeing the greatness of Jesus and worshiping Him as He truly is, fosters humility in our hearts. Seeking Jesus day after day helps us sustain a humble spirit.
Demonstrating humility doesn’t mean we must literally bow down every day, though that’s a wonderful habit to develop. Humility is more about the posture of our hearts than the position of our bodies. It’s being open to the Spirit’s work in our lives with a heart that says, “Jesus, I surrender. I’m ready to listen, trust, and obey. Come in and have Your way.”
The more I think about it, The Door of Humility should be called “The Door To Humility, for it leads us to the manger, the most magnificent display of humility the world has ever known. Jesus, being fully God, exchanged the glory of heaven for a lowly stable.
And so, this Christmas, I invite you to bow your heart and, if you’re able, bend your knees.
With reverence, marvel at the manger once more. Make time to behold the greatness of His humility, praying that some of it will rub off on you.
DIG DEEPER
Read “What Does the Bible Say About the Three Wise Men?” at GotQuestions.org
