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REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is “humble or exalted.” A humble person is someone who doesn’t think of himself or herself as better than anyone else. He or she may have accomplished a lot but remains humble in his or her relationship with others. Exalted means to be raised to the highest of heights in rank or honour. We shall examine the fact that humility and exaltation are two sides of the same coin.

Dear friend in the Lord, humility and exaltation are two sides of the same coin, in that exaltation is the reward of humility. Again, to be exalted, a person must be humbled. Humility is an important Christian virtue therefore Jesus takes time to teach about its importance to His audience. He said to them “…when you are invited, take the lowest place so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:10-11). Dear friend, the Christian life is a life of modesty and simplicity, therefore, regardless of our academic and professional achievements and economic and social statuses, let us humble ourselves. Humility teaches us to relate well with everyone, including the lowly in society and to treat everyone as an important personality in their own right. It also means considering others more important than ourselves. Paul admonished us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…”(Philippians 2:3) Jesus is the Son of God and King of Kings, yet He chose to come to earth through a poor family. He also chose ordinary men with no significant social status as His disciples and nurtured them to become Apostles. He walked with ordinary men and women and ate with people who were considered to be tax collectors, outcasts, prostitutes and sinners. It was for this reason, “the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:30-32) In other words, Jesus told them that those who are filled with pride and self-righteousness no longer need Him but those who are humble in spirit and desire salvation are the ones who need His attention. When we humble ourselves before the Lord with a contrite heart, we shall be exalted, and the Lord will always be with us.

Jesus demonstrated the utmost humility and was exalted by God. He is indeed our perfect example of what it means to humble oneself and be exalted. Although “…being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11). It is rather sad and unfortunate to mention that one of the places we see pride at its peak is the house of God. In some churches, academic qualifications and social status have become the yardstick or standard for determining who is important in the church. When it is time for communal labour at the church premise, some regard it as a preserve for the poor and illiterates but when it comes to occupying high seats on public platforms and stages during church programmes and social activities, it is deemed as the birthright for the literates and affluent in society. We continue to experience classism in the house of God because some people have an over-bloated sense of self-importance over others. In some churches, worshippers have been divided into an association of car owners, businessmen, and women, illiterates and non-entities. It is sometimes visible through the seating arrangement. Some positions are never given to people considered to be poor and irrelevant in society. Beloved in the Lord, It is important to note that the church or the house of God is a place where people must be treated equally and with dignity regardless of their social status or class. Jesus underscored the importance of humility and exaltation in the house of God when He said “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ ¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ ¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14). Beloved in the Lord, if we desire to be exalted, then let us humble ourselves.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “humble or exalted?” We have learnt that in God’s economy, humility and exaltation are two sides of the same coin, therefore let us approach God with total humility and a contrite heart and we shall be exalted according to His will. Shalom.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, order our steps so that we will always please God through a life of humility. Strengthen us to always remain humble in rendering our service to God and humanity so that we may be exalted to share in the glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ when He returns the second time. Amen.