Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)
THE BIBLE HAS A UNIQUE WAY of teaching important life principles and illustrating them through the lives of its characters. Throughout its pages, we find the principle that Christ taught in today’s passage: self-exalting people are eventually brought low, and humble people end up on top.
For example, we see Peter exalting himself when he promised Jesus that even if everyone else abandoned Him, he would be the one to stand by his Lord. Boasting of his loyalty, Peter smugly assured Jesus, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matt. 26:35). Pride led him to disown Christ three times, and, humbled, Peter “went outside and wept bitterly” (v. 75).
We also see Jesus teaching this principle and setting the example by humbling himself. We read that “he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2:8–9).
We may go to great lengths trying to fool ourselves—and others—into thinking that we’re someone great. Exalting ourselves guarantees failure. When we humble ourselves as Jesus did, we are transformed into His image, and He is exalted. Let’s remember this important life principle Jesus taught, and humble ourselves before almighty God.
Let Christ be exalted in your life.
Kathern Nemec and her husband served in Argentina for twenty-seven years as missionaries. Now residing in Ohio, both are active in their local church
