Humility -- round two

HUMILITY – ROUND 2

I am still thinking about humility from yesterday. Before I comment more on that, consider the similarity between the story of the Good Samaritan and the Rich Young Ruler.

Back on March 2^nd we read the parable of the Good Samaritan and I noted that Jesus answered the question asked perfectly. The problem was the wrong question was asked. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” We know that if “doing things” are involved we are talking about Law…and you need to keep the Law perfectly. We also know that you and I “do nothing” to be in a will…other than be in the family (normally). If you want to go back and read that blog, much applies.

Today we see a lack of humility on the part of the ruler… “All these I have kept from my youth!” I want to say, “Really, you might read Matthew 6:22 or 6:28?” Having a sense of our sin, moves us to humility.

Take a read through, and I will share some more thoughts about humility.

The Rich Ruler

¹⁸ And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁹ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour your father and mother.’” ²¹ And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.²⁴ Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” ²⁸ And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.”²⁹ And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers^[b] or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰ who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

³¹ And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. ³² For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spat upon.33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” ³⁴ But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

³⁵ As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ And hearing a crowd going by, he enquired what this meant.³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” ³⁸ And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” ³⁹ And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” ⁴⁰ And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.”⁴² And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” ⁴³ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

The blind man comes in humility. And Jesus, by going to the Cross, demonstrates humility. I noted above that our sin often moves us to humility…and it should…but that is neither the only motivation for humility, nor the best.

Jesus has no sin…and Jesus is humble. Jesus’ humility is part of his nature and part of his nature is serving the Father. Humility, born from the joy of serving the Master and/or participation in the life of God, is infinitely deeper than humility from a conviction for sin. Think about the verse “…as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 1:4). He chose us…and we in response joyfully and humbly serve him.

What does this have to do with the Scriptures today? Jesus is serving the Father by going to the Cross. His disciples do not grasp it because they do not understand this path…they miss the source of Jesus’ humility…serving the Father. We have noted the Rich Rulers attitude…but just one final note…Jesus takes no offense…it says in Mark’s version of the story (10:21) that “Jesus looked at him, and loved him.” Humility does that.