Humility
Commentary
All of us are aware of the difference between real and false humility. There are always those with us who are trying to be last so that they will be made first. And there are those who love to be first but are always telling us how unfortunate it is that it has happened to them.
I am convinced that true humility can be seen in both the great and the small. There is no command in the Bible of which I am aware that requires us to be poor, powerless, and hopeless. I hear no command to be Caspar Milquetoasts in Christian garb. I have had my fill of those who put on "airs" that are meant to convince all of us just how pious and humble they are.
One of the most humble men I ever knew was a man who served his life in the Marine Corps. After retirement he was sought out and given great and public responsibilities. If anybody had a right to wear the symbols of greatness, it was this man, a two star general, a friend of statesmen, a man who walked with the powerful. And yet, he wore his graces easily. He never claimed place or position. He never put others down. I can still see him at the back of the sanctuary passing out bulletins to those who came to worship. In his quiet way he smiled, offered a word of greeting, and ushered them inside.
This man was truly a humble man. I have been in many meetings with him and never have I heard him even refer to the past in ways that shed light on his glory. He was above all else a true Christian gentleman.
The world is filled with little men and women wanting to appear great and with big men and women wanting you to grant them their privileges. The truly humble person is the one who is first of all servant of all and claims nothing for himself.
We are the people who are commanded to let our lights shine before others in such a manner that it is God who gains the glory.
OUTLINE I
A Challenge to Falsehood
Jeremiah 28:1-9
Introduction: Jeremiah has many enemies in Israel. The people do not want to hear what he says. The rulers fear his word. There is also the competition, prophets who take positions diametrically opposed to him. Hannaniah seems to be their leader.
The good news. Hannaniah says what all want to hear, especially those who will receive his word in Babylon. Why, this setback is only temporary. Brace yourselves, what the prophet Isaiah and others are saying about God is true. He is going to bring the exiles back and that really soon --two years at the most. And the people heard him gladly. They always do. They want to have their own hopes and dreams fulfilled and whether that vision of goodness comes from prophet or politician or militarist, it is a welcome word.
B. The bad news. Alas, it is Jeremiah's task to be the harbinger of bad news and all of us know what happens to the bearers of bad tidings. Note his strategy here. He embraces Hannaniah's message and says he will welcome it with the people if it proves to be true. Jeremiah says that they can wait and sooner or later they will know who is the true prophet. I suppose that that is always true. And we have the record before us and know who was finally validated as the true prophet.
Conclusion: It is always a frightful thing to be called on to speak for God. One should embrace the call with fear and trembling. Too many, I fear, are like Hannaniah. They think that they speak for God when they do not. They submit to the desires of the people and for a time are praised by all. But sooner or later the test comes.
Everywhere these days there are the prophets of good news, of healing, promising riches, and catering to the desires of the people. They must be opposed. But if they are, it will do those who oppose them well to read of Jeremiah and decide whether they wish to become prophets of God.
OUTLINE II
A Word of Encouragement
Hebrews 13:1-8
Introduction: One thing all of us ought to notice is that whether the word appears in writing or not, there is always a "therefore" attached to the promises of God. We are expected to respond in one way or another. Here the writer of Hebrews sets out a pretty good list of things that all of us could heed.
Expectations. Love among the sisters and brothers, hospitality to strangers, remembering those in prison, holding the marriage bed in high honor, avoiding love of money, being content. Oh what a list, but note that I skipped over one important phrase, "you are also in the body." I take this not to mean our physical body but to mean the church, the Body of Christ. To be of the Body of Christ places responsibilities upon us.
B. The Promise. The Lord is your helper. It is enough. We are not alone. Just think how much better we have it than those to whom the letter is written. If Hebrews were written as some suppose, at about the same time as Revelation, you know what they had to face. It was not easy to live the faithful life in the midst of such a people. Persecution was the order of the day. Remember that as you interpret these lines.
Conclusion: These lines are as up to date now as they were when they were first written. One can take them off the page and use them except one thing. There is that phrase "remember your fathers." It is in that remembering that we discover that the body transcends time and space and includes them and us. Our fathers in the faith knew where the resource was for faithful living and so do we.
OUTLINE III
A Double Edged Parable
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Introduction: They were watching. And they were listening. Since he had their attention and the setting was right, he could make his point by the parable.
A. The here and now. Jesus seems to be making a point about good manners and etiquette. He knows that many persons aspire to place and position. There are those in his own band who are always arguing over who is to be greatest in the kingdom that is yet to come.
The time to come. One must not fail to read closely. Note that Jesus uses the phrase "marriage feast." Many times this phrase is used to speak of the messianic banquet in the age to come. I am sure they get the message. What Jesus is saying is that they are not even to seek place and position in the kingdom to come. Perhaps what Jesus means to do is to comment on the etiquette of the age to come. In doing so he blunts the expectations they have not only for the now but also for the time yet to come.
Conclusion: No one must be left with the understanding that they do not have a place and position either in this world or the next. What Jesus is addressing is the spirit that covets these things and robs us of our humility. It is such a spirit that brings conflict and meanness in our midst. It is the spirit of pride and self-interest that is not worthy of his disciples. Look for such people. They wear the cloak of greatness easily and are truly humble.
I am convinced that true humility can be seen in both the great and the small. There is no command in the Bible of which I am aware that requires us to be poor, powerless, and hopeless. I hear no command to be Caspar Milquetoasts in Christian garb. I have had my fill of those who put on "airs" that are meant to convince all of us just how pious and humble they are.
One of the most humble men I ever knew was a man who served his life in the Marine Corps. After retirement he was sought out and given great and public responsibilities. If anybody had a right to wear the symbols of greatness, it was this man, a two star general, a friend of statesmen, a man who walked with the powerful. And yet, he wore his graces easily. He never claimed place or position. He never put others down. I can still see him at the back of the sanctuary passing out bulletins to those who came to worship. In his quiet way he smiled, offered a word of greeting, and ushered them inside.
This man was truly a humble man. I have been in many meetings with him and never have I heard him even refer to the past in ways that shed light on his glory. He was above all else a true Christian gentleman.
The world is filled with little men and women wanting to appear great and with big men and women wanting you to grant them their privileges. The truly humble person is the one who is first of all servant of all and claims nothing for himself.
We are the people who are commanded to let our lights shine before others in such a manner that it is God who gains the glory.
OUTLINE I
A Challenge to Falsehood
Jeremiah 28:1-9
Introduction: Jeremiah has many enemies in Israel. The people do not want to hear what he says. The rulers fear his word. There is also the competition, prophets who take positions diametrically opposed to him. Hannaniah seems to be their leader.
The good news. Hannaniah says what all want to hear, especially those who will receive his word in Babylon. Why, this setback is only temporary. Brace yourselves, what the prophet Isaiah and others are saying about God is true. He is going to bring the exiles back and that really soon --two years at the most. And the people heard him gladly. They always do. They want to have their own hopes and dreams fulfilled and whether that vision of goodness comes from prophet or politician or militarist, it is a welcome word.
B. The bad news. Alas, it is Jeremiah's task to be the harbinger of bad news and all of us know what happens to the bearers of bad tidings. Note his strategy here. He embraces Hannaniah's message and says he will welcome it with the people if it proves to be true. Jeremiah says that they can wait and sooner or later they will know who is the true prophet. I suppose that that is always true. And we have the record before us and know who was finally validated as the true prophet.
Conclusion: It is always a frightful thing to be called on to speak for God. One should embrace the call with fear and trembling. Too many, I fear, are like Hannaniah. They think that they speak for God when they do not. They submit to the desires of the people and for a time are praised by all. But sooner or later the test comes.
Everywhere these days there are the prophets of good news, of healing, promising riches, and catering to the desires of the people. They must be opposed. But if they are, it will do those who oppose them well to read of Jeremiah and decide whether they wish to become prophets of God.
OUTLINE II
A Word of Encouragement
Hebrews 13:1-8
Introduction: One thing all of us ought to notice is that whether the word appears in writing or not, there is always a "therefore" attached to the promises of God. We are expected to respond in one way or another. Here the writer of Hebrews sets out a pretty good list of things that all of us could heed.
Expectations. Love among the sisters and brothers, hospitality to strangers, remembering those in prison, holding the marriage bed in high honor, avoiding love of money, being content. Oh what a list, but note that I skipped over one important phrase, "you are also in the body." I take this not to mean our physical body but to mean the church, the Body of Christ. To be of the Body of Christ places responsibilities upon us.
B. The Promise. The Lord is your helper. It is enough. We are not alone. Just think how much better we have it than those to whom the letter is written. If Hebrews were written as some suppose, at about the same time as Revelation, you know what they had to face. It was not easy to live the faithful life in the midst of such a people. Persecution was the order of the day. Remember that as you interpret these lines.
Conclusion: These lines are as up to date now as they were when they were first written. One can take them off the page and use them except one thing. There is that phrase "remember your fathers." It is in that remembering that we discover that the body transcends time and space and includes them and us. Our fathers in the faith knew where the resource was for faithful living and so do we.
OUTLINE III
A Double Edged Parable
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Introduction: They were watching. And they were listening. Since he had their attention and the setting was right, he could make his point by the parable.
A. The here and now. Jesus seems to be making a point about good manners and etiquette. He knows that many persons aspire to place and position. There are those in his own band who are always arguing over who is to be greatest in the kingdom that is yet to come.
The time to come. One must not fail to read closely. Note that Jesus uses the phrase "marriage feast." Many times this phrase is used to speak of the messianic banquet in the age to come. I am sure they get the message. What Jesus is saying is that they are not even to seek place and position in the kingdom to come. Perhaps what Jesus means to do is to comment on the etiquette of the age to come. In doing so he blunts the expectations they have not only for the now but also for the time yet to come.
Conclusion: No one must be left with the understanding that they do not have a place and position either in this world or the next. What Jesus is addressing is the spirit that covets these things and robs us of our humility. It is such a spirit that brings conflict and meanness in our midst. It is the spirit of pride and self-interest that is not worthy of his disciples. Look for such people. They wear the cloak of greatness easily and are truly humble.
