This
morning my Bible lesson is a story that always amazes us. Mark 9:33-37 is the
story in which Jesus catches the disciples in a pride filled moment. Take a
look.
Mark 9:33-35
And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
I
love this story. I find it humorous that when Jesus asks them what they have
been discussing they just ignore Him and refuse to answer. It’s funny because
the man asking the question already knows the answer, He’s God and they know
it. The parallel verse from Luke 9:47 explains
that “Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put
him by his side.” The response of Jesus is classic. He just sits down and gets
to the point of revealing their prideful hearts.
We
read these stories and wonder how the disciples could be so dense. Jesus is the
epitome of humility and they have been under His teaching for a good while and
yet they are arguing over which one of them is the greatest.
But
who are we to criticize? Many of us have been following Christ a very long
time. I have. Yet pride continues to plague us as well. Jesus doesn’t need to
know the reasoning of our hearts, He could simply open our Facebook pages where
we fill the internet with stories about us. We post this dreadful thing called
the selfie and what could possibly defy the concept of humility more? I do it.
Just yesterday I put up a post that seemed to be humorous but at its core was
my deep-seated desire for approval of others. The world of psychology has
convinced us that our problems are rooted in a lack of self-esteem but that is simply
not true. We are filled with self-esteem and a desire for more, just as the
disciples were. And its destroying this culture. We are the me, me, me culture.
The
Bible is replete with instruction against pride. Humility is the hallmark of
the true Christian life, yet it is a rare trait amongst even Christians today. This
morning we need to go back to the Bible and be reminded of what it says about
pride.
Pride
defiles us. Look at the other things pride is lumped together with. Be careful
judging the sins of others; we aren’t really any better.
Mark 7:20-23
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For 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, and they defile a person.”
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For 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, and they defile a person.”
Pride
disgraces us.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Pride
stirs up strife.
Proverbs 28:25
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
Proverbs 16:5
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
Pride
is an abomination to the Lord. That ought to scare the pride right out of us
and it ought to break our hearts.
God
does not want us to be prideful in any way of any thing we do. In truth, we
didn’t even do it; He did.
Isaiah
66:2
"For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
"For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
God
has made clear what He expects of us.
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?
Jesus
warned us.
Luke 14:11
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Paul
exhorted us.
Philippians
2:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.
James
instructed us.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Jesus
set the example as Paul explained.
Philippians
2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
He
humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. There is that word
again; obedient. Humility is not an option for the Christian and if we made it
real in our lives we would change the world.
I
am guilty. How about you?
The
writer of Hebrews speaks to our hearts and I close with that reading. We all
need to regroup and refocus. This is a good place to start for none of us are
where we ought to be.
Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
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