Humility Before God

MEMORY VERSE: “Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” —Luke 14:11

LUKE 14:7-11

THE lesson of humility before God is clearly set forth in our memory verse. The same thought is also eloquently expressed by the Apostle Peter, who wrote, “All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”—I Pet. 5:5,6

The parable of the two men at the marriage feast—one taking a seat in the “highest room” and later being humiliated by being asked to step down; and the other taking a seat in the “lowest room” and then being asked to move up to a more honorable position—well illustrates the principle outlined in the memory verse. We have an outstanding example of this in the case of Lucifer (the Devil) who exalted himself and eventually will be humbled and destroyed, in contrast with Jesus, who humbled himself and was highly exalted to the divine nature and to the throne of God.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote concerning Lucifer, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.”—Isa. 14:12-14

In contrast with this spirit of self-exaltation how beautiful is the humility of Jesus as described by the Apostle Paul: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought not by robbery [corrected translation] to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”—Phil. 2:5-11

LUKE 18:9-14

In this parable the lesson of humility before God is forcefully set forth by the contrasting attitudes of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisees were religious leaders in Israel, and the publicans were looked upon as outside of God’s favor. Many of them collected taxes for the Roman government, and to the Israelites this made them traitors to God’s people.

The parable states that the Pharisee “prayed thus with himself.” He assured himself of his own righteousness, and his superiority over the publican who also had gone up to the temple to pray. There has always been much of this type of praying, but we can be sure that God pays little or no attention.

The publican had the right attitude—the attitude of humility before God. He stood “afar off” and “would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” This man knew he was a sinner and was unworthy of God’s blessings. He knew that the only basis upon which he could be blessed by God was that mercy would be shown him. This publican was the type to whom the ministry of John the Baptist appealed, who, when the way was pointed out to them, repented.

In the parable Jesus said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall he abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (vs. 14) The word “justified” as used here with respect to the publican does not have the same connotation as when it describes the life-justification of the consecrated followers of the Master, which is possible only through the merit of the shed blood of Christ. It is simply telling us that this man’s humility and repentance was pleasing to God.

QUESTIONS

How was the principle of humility exemplified by Jesus in contrast with the spirit of Lucifer?

How is the lesson of humility before God taught by the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican?

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