Optimist’s Roundtable

By Martha Sykes

What does the Lord require of you? In the book of Micah 5:8, it tells us, “To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Jesus demonstrated humility all throughout his time on earth.

This is Holy Week, a time when we realize exactly what Jesus did for us as we realize through scripture all that He went through that week for all of us. On Palm Sunday, He was greeted with loud Hosannas, but yet as the week went on, He suffered in so many ways.

He could have chosen to be hurt, to be angry, and be disappointed; however, He chose humility.
In Mark 19:45, it says “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.”

Even as He knew that he was being betrayed by Judas, He decided to humble himself and wash the feet of the disciples. He served others in so many ways. And in the midst of His betrayal, He reaches out and healed a man. When Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss and said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” The disciples were upset and one of them struck at the high priest’s slave,and slashes off his ear. Jesus said, “ No more if this”, so He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

This is the last recorded miracle before His death on the cross. He wanted to physically and spiritually heal the man, as a last act of His true humility.

Jesus knew who He was, why He had come, and where He was going. He understood all of that, but yet He humbled himself to serve others up to the moment He was nailed to that cross.

Words from Colossians 3:12 remind us to “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Easter is a great time to practice these words.