12 entries for this category: | Greatness in God`s Eyes |
Before His last supper with [the twelve], when they are in the Upper Room, Jesus does something. According to ancient sources, the washing of feet was a task regarded as so menial, so degrading, that even Jewish slaves did not have to do it. It was reserved for Gentile slaves. There are a very few stories where someone unusual does it. Children doing it for their parents, or a pupil doing it for his teacher his master. In one case, a wife stood in the courts because she wanted to wash her husband`s feet as an act of honoring him, and he didn`t want her to do it. It had social implications. There is no story of anyone anywhere of higher social status washing the feet of someone of lower social status. That never happened until this night. Jesus takes off His outer cloak, picks up a towel and picks up a basin, gets down on His knees to wash their filthy feet. He says: I have set you an example that you should do what I have done. ''John 13:15'' Do you want to know what greatness looks like in God`s eyes? Here it is. By: John Ortberg Category: Humility as a Virtue |
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| Humilty leads to exaltation |
The way it works in the Kingdom is that the one who serves the one who humbles him or herself is exalted. It`s the way that service works. Jesus begins his community, and there has never been a leader like Him before. Never. Jesus says: The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who exercise authority over them call themselves "benefactors." They live in towns like Sepphoris, and I know because I helped build some of their houses. I know how it works. I`ve been there. Jesus understands. He grew up in the real world. He has a different dream. His dream has captivated the human race for 2000 years. You are not to be like that. Instead the greatest among you should be like the youngest. And the one who rules the one who has the most power and authority should be like the one who serves. For who is regarded as greater? The one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? That`s the way things work in our world. But I am among you as One who serves. ''Luke 22:26-27'' By: John Ortberg Category: Humility as a Virtue |
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| Humility |
According to my understanding of this particular instance ''from Luke 18:10-14'', the Pharisee thinks he`s better than the "other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector" - i.e., those that he considers to be worthless in the eyes of God. Thus he is exalting himself, and will, sooner or later, wish that he hadn`t. As it says in Proverbs 16:18-19, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."
Furthermore, in verse 5 of the same book, it says, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." So he`s setting himself up for a whole lot of trouble, both in this world and the next. Not only that, but as one who is ''or at least should be'' familiar with Mosaic Law, he should know better than to say such things. Therefore, while he may be following the Letter of the Law, he sure isn`t following the Spirit, if you know what I mean.
On the other hand, the tax collector has abased himself and feels that he is not worthy of God`s love and forgiveness. Thus, he is humbling himself, and will therefore be recognized and forgiven by God, and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. As Jesus makes perfectly clear, "all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." So guess whose side He`s on in this story?By: Philologos Category: Humility as a Virtue |
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