Humility & Self-Dispossession
September 1, 2023
Luke 18:9-30 | James 4:6-10
Today’s readings are multiple, but there is a stream running through them that might be characterized as humility and self-dispossession. To be humbled is to realize one’s actual place. To be self-dispossessed is to give up what one has in light of what’s better and right.
Let the text itself speak.
Luke 18:9-30
Jesus told this parable to certain people who had convinced themselves that they were righteous and who looked on everyone else with disgust: “Two people went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself with these words, ‘God, I thank you that I’m not like everyone else—crooks, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give a tenth of everything I receive.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He wouldn’t even lift his eyes to look toward heaven. Rather, he struck his chest and said, ‘God, show mercy to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this person went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up.”
People were bringing babies to Jesus so that he would bless them. When the disciples saw this, they scolded them. Then Jesus called them to him and said, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children. I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.”
A certain ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”
Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God. You know the commandments: Don’t commit adultery. Don’t murder. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony. Honor your father and mother.”
Then the ruler said, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”
When Jesus heard this, he said, “There’s one more thing. Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” When he heard these words, the man became sad because he was extremely rich.
When Jesus saw this, he said, “It’s very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
Those who heard this said, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What is impossible for humans is possible for God.”
Peter said, “Look, we left everything we own and followed you.”
Jesus said to them, “I assure you that anyone who has left house, husband, wife, brothers, sisters, parents, or children because of God’s kingdom will receive many times more in this age and eternal life in the coming age.”
James 4:6-10
But he gives us more grace. This is why it says, God stands against the proud, but favors the humble. Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. Cry out in sorrow, mourn, and weep! Let your laughter become mourning and your joy become sadness. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Prayer
God,
Teach me humility.
I’m not sure I’m asking to be humbled, but that you teach me to humble myself. I do not mean or want to humiliate myself. Rather, I want to become meek, subtle, more silent, and truer.
As I read about Jesus and study his nature, though he is quite powerful, he seems quieter than the bravado so recognized and rewarded today.
I want to be like that.
So help me, God.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.