✠ Psalmody: Psalm 119:137, 124a; 1; Psalm 33:12, 6; Psalm 115:11; Daniel 9:4, 17a, 19b; Psalm 76:11–12
✠ Lection: Proverbs 25:6–14; Ephesians 4:1–6; Luke 14:1–11
In the Name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We all want the world to be a better place, or at least a good place, which would mean a betterment of it if we see we’re not there yet. Unfortunately, though, many an idea of better originates in the sinful heart of fallen man and are focused on what each individual person deems and wants his better world to be like. Hence, we return to childishness, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Passion for our different idols is exposed and the unity in desiring betterment breaks as we seek ourselves above others, even those closest to us. Christian humility takes great intention and effort by all who still live in this life, especially as we live among each other. It is no insignificant truth that from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within. So, if our desire for what is better is rooted in unrepentant desires, if we deem what is good just by what we feel today, even our better place would actually be worse for us all. God alone is good and if the definition of better doesn’t begin with Him and His Word, His objective, never-changing Word and our humble, trusting submission to it, then the risks become deadly here in time and there in eternity. Many of the great results that we could hope for around us begin with us, for He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
Six Sundays ago, we heard the Lord Jesus teach with the same words about the self-exalting being humbled and the humble being exalted. as he finished the parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector who went up to the temple to pray. We heard of the necessity of humility between man and God. In today’s Gospel, He shows how the saying also applies to the Christian walk; how it is to be built upon humility among us all; that we let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of us look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. The Scriptures really mean it, but the wandering heart is bent on the opposite, esteeming ourselves the most, and despising vulnerability, lest we somehow be trampled underfoot. Our wicked tendencies also show in how prone we are to measure other people with a critical eye as opposed to an expectant hope that is merciful and kind as our dear Lord is to us. Humility doesn’t come easy, yet is vital for our own well-being and that of others.
The Pharisees saw a better world through prideful eyes; the world being one in which they knew what was best in everything and for everybody, if all the rest would simply follow the example of their lives. Lack of humility can lead to virtue-signaling, displaying for all to see that we are following today’s, and not yesterday’s, and certainly not last week’s, shifting-sand standards; a practice that is a festering boil on the forehead of this age, not just on that of the Pharisees. Selfishness and self-righteousness lurk in every wicked heart, for the greatest desire of our flesh is not only to be like God, but to be our own god; to measure others up by the measures we formulate and hold to ourselves, whether they be biblically-based or not. We all want to call our own shots, for others to heed our words, to realize and yield to our wisdom, to validate our experiences and conclusions, to deem with us, by us what a better world is.
Thus, self-idolatrous thoughts don’t show up only in lives that have accomplished much and therefore may be felt to have more basis for haughtiness. It doesn’t take us truly accomplishing much to be enchained with pride. It can be anybody’s vice. We’re not only in danger of self-exaltation happening where grand feats have been achieved and lofty status attained in society. Yes, we may desire that folks unknown to us come quickly to admire our obvious convictions at first encounter, but it is in our normal, routine day in and day out that the Lord has given us stations, vocations, callings in which we are to faithfully serve others for their good and in denial of worship of self and of self-sacrifice. Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, or worker? Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy? Have you been hot-tempered, rude, or quarrelsome? Have you hurt someone by your words or deeds? Have you stolen, been negligent, wasted anything, or done any harm? (SC V.3) These are good questions from the Catechism to repeatedly ask ourselves as humble reminders of the reality of who we are to one another and of the relieving truth of Who God is in forgiving our pride and leading the way for us into humility. Among the members of your family, among other church members, among your friends, among your neighbors, and among your co-workers exist most of the opportunities to either seek a better world based on prideful notions or a better world that is God-given in the crosses and sacrifices of lives that resemble those of His Son, for to walk humbly with your God is to seek to live like Christ.
Our Savior teaches that the humble life will be lifted up in accordance with God’s perfect will and timing, exalted into greater godliness and righteous reward, not selfish gain. True humility is not a step, but a walk, a blessed way of living that feels alien to the flesh but like home to the spirit. Jesus speaks of true humility that serves others, that thinks of others before ourselves, and lives accordingly without strings attached, without ulterior motives, without fear that God will not guard and protect us in every situation. Humility in showing deference to others, especially in our quick judgements, thoughts, and words, is a godly virtue shown in Christ Himself, Who stands at the door and knocks upon the hard woodenness of our prideful, selfish hearts. If anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in to you and dine with you, and you with Him. Do not be deceived. Do not grow frustrated at the call to be humble, for worldly wisdom claims it gains nothing. Indeed, humility is counter-cultural in a godly way and goes against the shouts of the flesh as it is being brought into submission to Christ. Seek the fruit of the Spirit. This is good. We need to be corralled with God’s Word as sheep prone to wander every day in this life. Give thanks that He has not left you dead in pride, but calls you out of it; that He washes away your sins, and shows you the path of humble righteousness. You cannot solve your own problem of sin, even if you do grow into the most humble person that you know. Resist it as Christ did. Pray boldly and confidently for Him to reveal it and that He grant you repentance, humility, and wisdom from above and He will gladly give it, for His will is your sanctification. Your relief from the burden of self-first comes from outside of you. It is not your work alone, but the work of God in you; Almighty God, Who humbles you in putting to death the old Adam and exalting you to new life in Christ, a life that is pleasing to Him and good for your neighbor. Trust God. You need not worry about who does and who doesn’t live exactly as you do when you know that by Christ’s good favor and merit your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. He has all things in His control and rightfully humbles the proud. He betters the world in this age through your humility in love and care for others in accordance with His Word. Your pride isn’t as important as your flesh, the world, and the devil make you think it is. Trust the Lord to measure all things out. If He exalts you in accordance with His perfect will and timing, then enjoy the peace of trusting Him until He does, while also choosing to trust Him if He doesn’t. Allow God alone to define what a better world is, starting with your humility.
In ✠ Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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