Going Home Justified (Luke 18:14)

 


Monday, March 31, 2025


Psalm 59

Exodus 1

Luke 18:1-14


Going Home Justified (Luke 18:14)


A couple of weeks ago we heard a great quote from Jesus, one that we should always have sitting at the front of our mind, that “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11) Today, we hear him say the exact same thing, yet in a different context. Jesus is teaching the same thing in both places, and that is why this saying appears both times.


This second occasion of the saying comes after some discussion by Jesus about 1. the second coming, and 2. prayer. The apparent warning is that both of these topics have in themselves the danger of pride.


A telling line is when Jesus concludes the section of prayer and muses to himself, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (v. 8) An important aspect of faith is trust – and trust does not sit will with pride.


We also remember that in the middle of this repeated line from Jesus about exaltation and humility, the apostles asked Jesus that he might increase their faith. (Luke 17:5) Increase our faith; decrease our pride. The two are the same.


If the suggestion that Jesus is teaching us to kill our pride seems offensive, then that is good. It means that our Heavenly Doctor is healing us. And we ought not to be afraid of losing ourselves in order to gain Christ; there is a wonderful liberty in releasing our concerns to the Lord, faithfully trusting that the One who has numbered the hairs on our head is caring for us with all haste. (Luke 18:8) Whether we are working out what we believe about the Second Coming, or what we believe about prayer, or what we believe about dinner parties, the danger is the same, and the cure is the same: everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.


What in your life do you feel good about right now? How might you decrease so that Christ may increase in that?


God, be merciful to me, a sinner; and by your great mercy give your elect speedy justice. Beat down our pride, and grow in its place such faith that will please your Son when he returns.

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