If we are to accept, and we obviously do, that YaHuWaH correctly evaluates the importance of everything, then mankind's priorities are tragically warped. What the human race considers important and of prime value is often of little account to the Most High. And what we put last, He often puts first. In YAHUSHUA the Messiah's life we witness the priority rating of lowliness, a condition often confused with meekness. Lowliness means of humble or low rank. It is a grade, a position - not a trait. It comes from the word 'low.' Meekness on the other hand is a product of the mind, a character trait. Meekness may go hand in hand with lowliness; but it is really a different thing. Meekness is the opposite of pride. Meekness is an accurate evaluation of one's worth. Pride is an over-estimation of one's worth. Pride is one of the worst sins.

Notice that pride is mentioned first in this list of abominations. But back to lowliness. Lowliness is not meekness. For example: There are 2 Britons, one earns £10 per week and the other £1,000. The first is lowly paid, the second is highly paid. Meekness and pride do not enter the equation at this stage. Both men could be meek, And, surprisingly, both men could also be proud. But only one is lowly paid; the one who receives £10 a week. Lowliness, in other words, is a matter of economic or social status; whereas humility and pride are matters of the mind. With that thought in mind let us consider the lowly Messiah.

Not many people in this world were born in such lowly circumstances as was YAHUSHUA. He was born in a cattle shelter (not a cave) and laid in a manger. To be sure we are able with music and song to make it all sound so beautiful; but in reality it was an extremely lowly start to life. One can hardly imagine a lowlier start.

The Savior came from a lowly home. Joseph and Mary were poor people. We know this by the gift Mary made of "a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons." This was the prescribed gift for the poor.

But even though Joseph and Mary were poor people, YaHuWaH didn't let His Son's birth go unnoticed. Before the assembled worshipers in the Temple at Jerusalem the old prophet Simeon praised the Most High for His salvation through the Messiah.

Many, however, did not give the Messiah the glory that was his due.

Note: Mary gave birth to other children after YAHUSHUA. The teaching that she remained a virgin after the Savior's birth is scripturally inaccurate.

Messiah had no luxuries during his life on Earth. He often spent whole nights out in the open. Church leaders who live in luxury at the expense of the flock are most certainly not following in the footsteps of the lowly Savior.

In His death the Savior demonstrated His lowliness. He who was of such supreme worth and dignity; He who deserved to live in absolute splendor, accepted without complaint - death on the cross! He died with the very worst of criminals in a most tragic and degrading manner: rejected by a world He had come to save.

The ass was the poor man's horse. One could hardly get a more humble form of transport. It's like riding about on a bicycle in this day and age.

Public crucifixion was the most ignominious form of death a prisoner could suffer. It wasn't merely the death sentence. It was a disgraceful way to die. No privacy, no dignity, no speedy end; but a painful insulting punishment to the very last drop of blood and the last gasp of breath. YAHUSHUA the Messiah bore that for you and He bore it for me. Let us never forget that astonishing fact! Think about it over and over and over again when you feel tempted to become proud.

The next question is: Why did Messiah choose to be lowly: to live and die in such a way? What divine purpose did YaHuWaH have in allowing His Son to be born in a manger and to die like a criminal on the cross? What motivated Him? It would be foolish of me to claim to know the whole truth about this amazing mystery. Suffice it to say that YaHuWaH 's amazing love for us, yea for the whole human race, is the underlying reason. We didn't deserve it, and never will. We do not have any right to compassion and love of that magnitude. But there it is, the greatest mystery of all time! YaHuWaH loves you, and me and every other ignorant soul that walks this cursed earth. And He has paid the price for your redemption and mine.

NOTE: These verses, and there are many others, give us a glimpse at the reason for Messiah taking up a lowly position. He became poor in order that we might through his poverty become rich. We will need an eternity to appreciate the full extent of that statement: of what he gave up, and what great dividends his spiritual sacrifice earned for us. The redeemed host are to inherit spiritual, mental and material wealth in excess of anything the human race has ever seen, all because of Messiah's generosity.

Lowliness, the state of being poor, is not the eternal condition that YaHuWaH planned for His Son. To be sure YAHUSHUA may have been be extremely lowly when he walked this earth; but that temporary phase has passed. His present rank is far above every angel in the universe and every human being that has ever existed. Second in authority only to his Father, YAHUSHUA the Messiah is to rule the entire universe.

In a similar way the lowly believer will be lifted high in glory, honor and power; and the unbeliever will be brought down.

From the above we may draw the following conclusions:

• That lowliness, poverty or humble circumstances are not conditions we should be ashamed of or dread.
• Lowliness is a temporary condition which in the Kingdom will be replaced with high honors and unimaginable glory.
• Truth can flourish in the very lowliest (poorest) of conditions.
• But having proved that point it will not be necessary to remain lowly in rank or status throughout eternity, the Savior is now of very high rank. Let the lowliest (poorest) believer take heart at these facts.
• The Savior became poor and died an ignominious death to save you and to save me. Let us never forget that fact. Our very salvation depends on how we react to it.
• Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29