Tag Archives: humility

April 28
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“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)

As the saying goes: “If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”

Working faithfully while waiting to be acknowledged is, sometimes, very difficult. Self-promotion is nothing new. People have been burnishing their image, publishing their credentials, and boasting about their strengths since the beginning of time.

However, the wisdom of God encourages us to let our praise come from the mouth of others; from the lips of those who have no hidden interest.  A few words of praise from such people is worth more than thousands of words of self-promotion.

Choose the narrow path.  It is worth the solitude, the work, and the wait.  – Luther 

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April 17
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“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11, NIV)

Humility.

Jesus tells us that we ought not to exalt ourselves — that is, seek a status that is higher, larger, or more powerful, for our own benefit and glorification (e. g., time in the spotlight).

Our ego seeks such elevations, but the reality is that someone else is always smarter, more prominent, or more powerful than we are.

In the context of today’s scripture, Jesus challenges us to resist the temptation of self-promotion and self-elevation so common in our society; and instead, take our place with the least and the last among us.  Truly humble individuals are always recognized, in God’s time, with a public promotion that no one can take-back or take-away.  – Luther

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April 14
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“A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.'” (Luke 22:24-26, NIV)

We now see the glory of the Resurrection, but before we arrive at Easter we must leave Palm Sunday and endure Good Friday. Our attitude through all of it, according to Jesus, is to be as He was: The least of all.  The last of all.  The servant of all. 

The disciples were acting out of their corrupted nature (which, as people, we all share).  This nature aspires to be the greatest of all.  This nature desires to be the first of all. This nature expects to be served by all. 

Because of what Jesus has done for all of us through His death on the cross, and through His resurrection from the dead; His summons to servitude is validated for all time and for all people. Our corrupted, natural ambitions assure nothing but strife, but our obedience to Jesus assures us life in all of its fullness.  – Luther

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