On Seeking the Lowest Place

What virtue can there really be
To come down from the heights of Heaven
To rescue from its sinful state
Fallen humanity?

With reputation cast aside
He came to live as one of us
And girded with humility
Became as one who serves.

With outer garment cast aside
And kneeling low with towel in hand
The servant’s duty was performed
By Son of God and Man.

Yet lower still He sought to stoop
Arrested, scorned, forsaken, tried
Scourged, crowned with thorns and at the last
Ruthlessly crucified.

What of ourselves? How can we stoop
So low, and imitate the Lord?
Or do we shun the lowest place
The road, where He once trod?

Like Pharisees, do we succumb
To money, status, wealth and pride
Self-exaltation, high renown
And build our homes on sand?

The tax collector teaches us
The path to true humility
For in the lowest place there lives
Jesus, the Christ, the King.

He calls us all to take this place
With willing, joyful, grateful hearts
Until that day when we are called
To live with Him on high.