The voices of pride and humility speak in the parable of the two men who went into the Temple to pray. In his inordinate self-esteem the Pharisee showed double presumption; against God, whom he thanked for his exclusiveness, and against his fellow with whom he contrasted himself.
There is no room for pride in the heart of a man who understands the true relation between God and fallen humanity; who regards the gaping breach between sinful mortals and holy Deity. Of this he is always conscious, so that in him there is an ever-present contrition or broken-heartedness for sin. But the meekness it induces rejoices in a triumphant experience, for: “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
No statement could be more tremendous to express the extent of the Divine condescension to man; to convey the greatness of what takes place when the Holy One, whose transcendence and infinity mortals cannot comprehend, chooses to enter the puny confines of a man’s heart to dwell with him and revive him. Then the spirit of the meek rekindles and leaps into flame as the glowing ember fed by pure oxygen.
Psalm 138 utters a thought: “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.”
Pride alienates men from this divine association, but it is an insidious evil sometimes affecting godly men. The disciples disputed over who should be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, and Jesus rebuked them by setting a child in their midst, and saying: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, we shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”. This quality of meekness in a child is the unconscious admission of his own inferiority to, and dependence upon someone whom he implicitly trusts. The person who, trusting in his own merits, seeks a place for himself, whether in this world or in the Kingdom of Heaven, has it not, for in his superior outlook he depends on no one but himself. When Job discovered his inferiority he abhorred himself, and repented in dust and ashes. He learned that a man must empty himself of self-esteem before he can enter into dealings with his Creator. David also showed himself anxious to display this child-like quality before the Lord: “Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child .
For a man to maintain always the spirit of meekness among his fellows calls for great restraint, for it is natural to resist opposition and gratifying to retaliate. He who shows temper imagines himself to be relieved, but in truth he is only indulging and satisfying his pride. The Law of Moses said, “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth”. That was equal justice. But the natural man, in justifying himself, exacts more than that. He seeks also to humiliate his opponent and reinstate himself in public opinion. The Law of Christ requires that not only is equal justice to be renounced, but that this further extortion be ceded also. “If he smite thee on the right cheek turn to him the other also.” To love one’s neighbour and hate one’s enemy is natural and easy, but to love one’s enemy, and bless them that hate, is more than natural, savoring as it does of the magnanimity and perfection of God. The skeptic despises the wisdom of turning the other cheek to the smiter. “You will become the butt and ridicule of all”, he says, but the meek man confidently proffers his defense, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord”. Such meekness is strength, and increases as the vigor of a tree exposed to battering winds. The serenity of mind it brings is a foretaste of the peace that the meek shall enjoy when they inherit the earth, for now they rejoice in the consolation of victory over their natural feelings.
And to all the meek of the earth Christ extends an invitation. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One