The Passionਨਮੂਨਾ

In Matthew 5, we read about the kinds of people who will enter the kingdom of God —the down and out, the disadvantaged, and the pure. The prideful and the self-important are almost the exact opposite: they will not enter the kingdom. The Pharisees lack the humility required to enter Jesus’ kingdom, and they are also so blinded by pride that they don’t know what they lack! And so, they fail in their role, unable to enter the kingdom and unable to teach others how to enter it. Instead, they settle for making a big show of gaining new followers (or follower, singular!). Sadly, their followers are no better off than they were before they were evangelised. They are not brought closer to God.

In the end, all of us lack the righteousness that would be required to enter the kingdom on our own merits. It takes humility to accept this. But what a joyful thing to realise that Jesus, our King, actually does all that is required for us to be accepted, if only we will unite ourselves with Him. It is in response to His generosity and in the power we gain by being united with Him that we are to live a life of holy obedience.

When we lead others to faith, we must remember that we ourselves were not good enough. It is by God’s grace in Jesus that we are able to point others to Him. We must demonstrate the humility of one who truly understands our deep dependence on Christ for acceptance, not boasting in our own goodness, but in Jesus’. As we take this attitude, we will show others the way into the kingdom.

Today, ponder this: How can you allow Jesus to grow humility in you, so that it shines a light on those who do not yet know Him? Pray for a deeper understanding of the amazing Grace that the Father has shown us in Jesus.