In giving us the Beatitudes, Jesus revealed the characteristics that people in His spiritual kingdom will have. These character attributes “glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, NKJV.

Christ is the “brightness of His [Father’s] glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power…” Hebrews 1:3. Yet, Jesus “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:7, NKJV.

Holding the highest place in Heaven, Jesus descended to the lowest human position on Earth. Jesus did not take the position of merely a slave, but of a bondservant, which was the lowest-ranking person in the slave caste system. Jesus did this so that everyone, no matter their social status or financial ranking, could find in Him someone who sympathizes.

Jesus invites us to come and learn of Him—to learn what it means to be meek and lowly in heart. When we spend time at the foot of the cross beholding the King in His glory, we will be transformed into the same image. The language of our hearts will be that of Daniel’s: “For my comeliness was turned in me into corruption.” Daniel 10:8. We will no longer be striving for recognition or seeking to gratify our pride.

“Human nature is ever struggling for expression, ready for contest; but he who learns of Christ is emptied of self, of pride, of love of supremacy, and there is silence in the soul. Self is yielded to the disposal of the Holy Spirit. Then we are not anxious to have the highest place. We have no ambition to crowd and elbow ourselves into notice; but we feel that our highest place is at the feet of our Savior.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 15.