In our human lives we “lust for Lofty Titles”. We long to see letters in front of our names or after our names. We work hard for these letters. Somehow, we feel a “Lofty Title” is a place of honor, recognition, and acceptance. We believe it somehow defines who we are to others, yet Jesus, God in the form of Man, gave Himself the “Humble Title, Son of Man”.
In our Occupation we lust for the highest title we can receive. We work hard for these lofty titles, so we belong and feel accepted. Titles say who you are by what you do. We feel we get our worth and self-esteem from the title of our occupation. If only I could achieve this title or that title, I would feel better about who I am. I could afford this or that. If I had the education or experience, I could be this.
In our education we know how far we have come, to show how much we know. It shows how much work we have invested into the special title. The post-nominal letters we place at the end of our names show we made something of ourselves. We want others to see us as a person of status and knowledge. It shows we as individuals hold a position, academic degree, accreditation, office of military decoration, honor, or a member of a religious institute.
December 17-23, 2023, I will have a heart procedure by the only two surgeons in this area certified to do this procedure of replacing the back heart valve with a new pig valve to replace the one they put in thirteen-years-ago, but I have never seen their medical certification and license, but I truly thank God He placed me with them thirteen-years-ago to replace the dead heart valve with a pig valve, and now to replace that pig valve with a new pig valve, without having to open my chest to do the surgical replacement—titles or no titles; I like their work and need it.
Even in the body of Christ, we also want titles. We may take a position for the title and status of it. We long for the recognition, status, and achievement a title gives us. To feel we belong and are part of something greater than ourselves. To be accepted and loved because of the title we hold. In our lives we “love” titles, and we feel it is what defines us. It says who we are. It says what we have accomplishes. It says from where we have come. It says we have worked hard. Our proud titles reveal “our blood, sweat and tears” for others to see. Ohers know our status, our achievements, our accomplishments, our esteem, our belonging, our armor, our self-worth, and our place in this world.
In our daily lives we crave certain titles. For men want “status”, be a “Husband”, “Father”, “Brother”, “Uncle” and so on. Women want the title, “Wife”, “Mother”, “Sister”, “Aunt” and so on. We love the titles and what they mean. We are always looking for a new and bigger title to make us something more. For our best efforts do give us greater worth and acceptance.
But Jesus came to earth as a Baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth (Luke 2:7). He grew in stature and became a Man. As God, Jesus could have demanded to be called. Messiah, King of kings, Lord, Savior, the Christ, or any of the other great names that so adequately describe His divine character. He could have asked us to use His Education status (all knowing), His Employment status (all powerful), or His ministry status (all Presence). Luke called Him, “Lord”, Peter called Him, “The Messiah”, John called Him the “Word of God”, Isaiah says He is the “Everlasting Father”; after His Resurrection He’s the “Christ”, Hebrews says, He is the “Great High Priest”. He was called, “Friend”, “Savior”, “Teacher”, the great “I AM”, “Immanuel”, “Jehovah”, “King of kings and Lord of lords”, “King of the Jews”, “Lamb”, “Light of the World”, “Only Begotten Son”, “Savior”, “Salvation”, the “Word of God”, and so many more titles.
Jesus simply gave Himself the Title of His humble origin, “Son of Man”. This title was absent of pride, arrogance, great honor, or prestige. He humbly gave Himself the title “Son of Man”, a male Child. The King of kings gave Himself the title Man-Child. How amazing, He who deserves all glory, honor, and praise says, “I AM the Child of Mark 9:37, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 10:14 says, “Let the children come to me, do not stop them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.”—the humble title “Child”. He commands us to come to Him with childlike Faith. The innocence of a child, the belief of a child, the trust of a child, the respect of a child, the care and concern of a child, the integrity of a child, the heartfelt compassion of a child, the tender heart of a child, the ability to give to others like a child and the overwhelming longing to forgive, love, and be loved. A perfect title “the Overwhelming Longing to be Loved”. This innocent Child is the One to Believe, the One to Trust, the One who deserves all Respect, the One who Care so deeply, the One of Integrity, the greatest One to show Compassion, the most Tender Hearted, the giver of Himself, and the greatest One to show grace, mercy, Love, and Forgiveness.
Isaiah 11:6 says, “A child shall lead them”. This wonderful Child came into the world and changed the course of history. He literally changed the world for all time. Time was divided because of Him (BC and AD). His death tore down the dividing curtain to the Holy of Holies. This Child opened the way for us to enter the most Holy place. To call upon the name of the Lord. We no longer need the priest; He became our great “High Priest”. The humility of Jesus changed everything. We no longer need titles or look at ways to humbly love others. Stop looking for selfish gain and look to the humblest. Stop chasing the education status, occupation status, personal status, the church status. Solomon calls it all “Meaningless”. There is nothing wrong with education, occupation, personal and church status but in the end, it gains us nothing. What matters the most is the close, intimate, sweet relationship we have with the “Son of Man”. Luke 21:27 says, “Then everyone will see the “Son of Man” coming on a cloud with Power and great Glory.” Daniel saw a vision of what appeared to be the “Son of Man”. In Revelation 14:14 John saw in a vision what appeared to be the “Son of Man”. The “Son of Man” is coming back to receive His family. Are you ready? Please ask and allow God to prove how much He loves and cares for you.
Tim, Kim, and Jim Nabors
