Humility

Introduction

Confession makes us uncomfortable. For a variety of reasons we do not like to admit that we have done wrong. Embarrassment, reputation, possible ridicule and change in relationship keeps us from admitting the truth that so often is already known. For most of us, it is hard to admit sin in front of those who truly love us, much less strangers. It is hard to say “I’m sorry” when that is needed. What husband, wife, child, or friend has not found it difficult to confess wrong? It is pride which keeps us from saying what needs to be said, and it is that same pride that spills over into our spiritual lives as well. Perhaps it is in the closet of our prayer minds that we confess our sin. Too often it is a general statement asking God to forgive our sins, but even then it is a failure to confess the specifics of what we have done wrong. Truth be told, without being specific with God we will lessen our resolve to be specific with others who need to hear our confession.

The pride which keeps us from confessing will lead to our loss of relationship with God. Today we are going to look at a parable that Jesus told, found in Luke 18. It is a parable which isn’t difficult to understand but is extremely challenging to implement. May we be challenged.

The Parable

Sometimes we read through the parable quickly and just wait to hear the point. This parable isn’t difficult to understand and takes little explanation. Verse 9 tells us the purpose of the parable. Jesus tells this parable to challenge those who thought they were better than others. By their lives they looked down on those who didn’t measure up to moral standards. This parable is aimed at those who think they are better morally and spiritually than others.

The scene is one that was replayed every day. Two people are going to the temple for a time of prayer. One man was a Pharisee—a man who was seen as among the spiritually elite. A man whose moral character was unquestioned. A man who served as an example of moral purity. The other was a tax collector.

Tax collectors were despised individuals. Jewish by heritage and birth, they worked for the enemy—the Roman government. Their instructions were really quite simple: collect taxes and anything over what is required is yours to keep. It is very easy to see how these men would be despised. With no boundaries on the amount to collect and only needing to give the government a certain amount, tax collectors became known for their abuse of others.

Two prayers came from two radically different men. One revered by his peers, the other despised. One an example of moral purity; the other an example of what was wrong with the world. Two prayers born out of two distinct hearts. One was a prayer of pride, the other a prayer of humility. Which one did God accept? The prayer of humility. The point couldn’t possibly be missed. The one who represented all that was wrong and evil went home right with God. The other who would have left as an example of all that was right within Israel went home at odds with God. Don’t you know that those who heard this parable were perplexed?

Application

The application of this parable isn’t difficult. God honors those who are humble of heart. He rejects those who exalt themselves. All of us would like to think of ourselves as humble people, but the reality is that humility is most easily seen in confession. That is the essence of the prayer of the tax collector. It is a prayer of confession and a prayer which seeks the mercy of God. That is the true sign of humility. Notice how the prayer of the Pharisee compares himself with others.

This is what those who are confident in their righteous acts do. They compare themselves to others and look down on those that are deemed lacking in moral uprightness. Those who are confident in their own righteousness don’t even know it. But thoughts like “they are getting what they deserve” and “I can’t understand how anyone could do that” go through their minds.

I have a very good friend who said recently that it requires having been given a second chance to extend a second chance to someone who needs it. I would add to that: it isn’t until we recognize the depth of our sin and the amount of grace needed for God to act on our behalf that we are able to be humble. It is out of humility that compassion exists. It is out of humility that forgiveness is given. It is out of humility that right standing with God is granted.

Until we confess our sin we cannot be forgiven. Until we confess our sin we compare ourselves to others and find them lacking. Until we confess our sin we take great comfort in our righteousness. Until we confess our sin we lack the ability to receive the grace of God. Until we confess our sin we are not able to serve people the way God wants us to. Here is the good news: if one studies scripture closely, there is one absolute truth that comes bursting through—when we confess, God forgives. There isn’t a single text in which a person confessed sin and God rejected them. There isn’t a single text in which a person came in humility to God and God said no. Quite the contrary, there are so many texts in which forgiveness is given to those who in humility confess their sin.

Somehow we have become confused about what God is wanting. God is looking for people who are humble enough to say “I’m sorry and I need your mercy.” He is looking for people who can confess their sin and allow him to raise them up. He is looking for people who know what it is to look bad in the eyes of other human beings so that he can turn things upside down. He is looking for those who would rather have mercy and grace than praise and slaps on the back from other equally sinful human beings.

Here is the bottom line: you can look good in the eyes of others and not be humble. Confession of sin and seeking God’s mercy means that we run the risk of rejection. But those who reject us do not understand the nature of God and do not understand the nature of mercy. God wants to extend mercy, but only the humble may receive it. Appearances will be reversed at the judgment. The one who looks good to others without humility will be brought down. And the one who confesses sin will be exalted in the last day. For some it is more important to look good. For the disciple it is more important to be humble. This is not a time to compare yourself to another. It is time to pray a prayer that God will hear: “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Will you pray that prayer?

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