The context for our parable today is the kingdom of God. Jesus has been teaching and revealing who He is (the Lord of the Sabbath) and what the kingdom of God is like. Here, Jesus teaches that entering the kingdom of God requires humility. Humility is not a simple or easy subject, yet it is significant. Without humility, Christians cannot endure to the end of their pilgrimage. Many fall away before the end because they are not humble enough to trust and depend on the Lord. While humility is praised across many religions, true humility requires looking to Jesus Christ himself. We must avoid merely moralizing humility; true humility is interpreted in the context of Jesus Christ.

Conversely, we must understand the profound danger of pride. Pride is described as extraordinarily evil and wicked. It is the “sin of sins.” Pride is clashing with God by attempting to be Him, fight Him, or go over Him. Pride leads to the Lord’s immediate attention. God reacts quickly and fast to pride, unlike many other sins. Proverbs 6:16-17 states that Yahweh hates six things, and chief among them are haughty eyes – pride. Pride involves forgetting our identity as creatures and acting as if we are the Creator. It is full of self, self-righteousness, and self-centeredness, holding an idol of self. The worst form of pride is spiritual pride, hypocrisy without internal transformation or holiness. Pride does not remain neutral; it always leads to consequences. As scripture warns, pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride is like standing on bubbles; it wins no glory and no crown.

Jesus illustrates the path of humility and the folly of pride in a parable about a wedding feast. The wedding feast represents the kingdom of God. Those who proudly take the places of honor risk being asked to move to the lowest place in shame. This shame, in the context of the wedding feast being the kingdom, signifies being cast out or destruction, which is hell. Even performing outwardly good actions means nothing before God if they are done with pride. Pride blinds people and keeps every Christian from the narrow gate because it is too tall and too big in both thought and action. They think they are in, but they are cast out. In contrast, the one who takes the last place, who humbles himself, will be invited to move up higher by the host (who is God) and receive honor in the sight of all. This humility in earthly life ultimately points to the glorification of believers in the future. Abraham provides an example by humbly allowing Lot to choose the best land, even though he had every right to choose the land first. Abraham was ultimately recognized and honored by God and became the spiritual father of every believer.

True humility is essential. It is not hiding, self-hatred, weakness, or continuous self-deprecation. These can be outward displays masking inner pride. True humility is characterized by giving up the self and taking a place of perfect nothingness before God. It is sinking down into one’s own nothingness while remaining trustful, patient, and meek, surrendering entirely to Jesus Christ. Humility is regarding others as more important than ourselves, not just looking out for our own interests, but also the interests of others. This makes humility sacrificial. The ultimate example is Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, emptied himself by taking the form of a slave, becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-11) Humility means being lost, ruined, and undone, yet victorious in Christ. Humility is the first duty of God’s creatures and the root of every good quality. Without it, grace cannot take root. To believe in Jesus means having the humility of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, how can we live in humility? Firstly, by becoming a genuine Christian. Without humility, one cannot become a Christian. The first act of becoming a Christian involves self-denial, rejecting the self, and accepting the exchange of our self for Christ, who is the substance and source of humility. When Christ lives in you, humility lives in you. Secondly, by frequently visiting the cross of Jesus Christ. When tempted by pride, look at the cross. The cross is the greatest symbol of humility, where pride was crucified and is gone. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross, helps us practice internal self-denial and absolute submission to the Father’s will through humility. Putting yourself under the authority of God’s Word is also humility. Trusting in God, especially in difficult circumstances, like giving thanks in all things, is humility.

Living in humility allows God to lift us up in His timing. Humble yourself before the Lord in faith, and He will lift you up. Humility is a sign of our true salvation, the key to true repentance and genuine saving faith. As we learn from Jesus, the embodiment of humility, our own humility can increase. We are invited by God, and by living humbly before Him, we can be called His friend.