The lecture speaks about that God is the only truly humble one, and that God’s humility is essentially different from human humility. Man is weak and created, and his humility truly means knowing himself and enduring blame calmly, while God’s humility is the emptying of His great self and dealing with His creation with love and compassion.

Examples from the Holy Scriptures of God’s humility

• God listens and speaks to His creation: He spoke with Cain and Abel, with Adam and Eve, with children (example Samuel) and with the prophets (Jeremiah).

• God entered into dialogue with humans: He consulted Abraham regarding Sodom, and consulted Moses after the worship of the calf, and responded to the repentance of Nineveh.

• The Incarnation as the greatest example: He emptied Himself, became a man without an apparent office, lived thirty years obedient to the law, was baptized by John even though He had no sin, and endured trials and afflictions.

Manifestations of the Lord’s humility in His public and practical life

• He sat with sinners and tax collectors, sat with children, entered the houses of the despised, and allowed people to rebuke and accuse Him (Psalms, Jeremiah, David).

• He entered into dialogue with the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and even with the devil, and endured the attempt of temptation on the mountain.

• He gave humans the freedom of choice, and allowed them to break His commandments while keeping the freedom to hold man accountable later.

The spiritual and Orthodox dimension
God’s humility shows God’s love close to man: God shares dialogue and life with His creation, calls humans His children, and desires to dwell in the midst of His people. This humility is a model of Orthodox piety that links humility with love, service, and sacrifice (the washing of the feet as a practical example the Lord left to His disciples).

Practical application for the believer
The believer is called to imitate the humility of Christ: accept blame calmly, love sinners, serve others without pride, and possess a freedom of love that leads to true service and humility without justifying sin.

For better translation support, please contact the center.