The third chapter of our daily readings is remarkably well-suited to prepare us for the emblems. The central theme of the chapter is humility as stated in verse 14: “for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
The chapter contains five illustrations of this attribute: the widow who came to the unjust judge, the publican who was demeaned by the Pharisee, the little children who were rebuked by the disciples, the Lord Jesus who deflected praise from the rich ruler, and the blind man who persisted in his appeal for help. Each of these individuals brings out the exhortation for ourselves, an exhortation which is highlighted by the other party in each situation.
Unjust judge – widow
The unjust judge said, “Though I fear not God, nor regard man…” What arrogance in his attitude, especially when contrasted with the widow who humbly persisted in her pleadings. We should be like the widow, so desperately aware of our need that we continually humble ourselves before God. “And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him…?”
Pharisee — publican
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are…I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” What pride he demonstrated in presuming that he was better than another because he fulfilled some of God’s commands. In striking contrast, the publican said, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”
This should be our attitude — acknowledging our faults and esteeming our brother better than ourselves.”
Disciples — children
The disciples were good men but they had not yet learned the lesson that, “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Children have an innocence, enthusiasm and trust which enables them to accept divine teaching free from scepticism. Those who have a similar attitude will be those who will share in the future age, “for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Crowd — blind man
The crowd could only see Jesus of “Nazareth” — but the blind man could see Jesus reigning from Jerusalem as “the son of David.” He saw more in the miracles than those who had sight and he accepted that, while Jesus had not acted as they expected the Messiah to, he was proven to be the promised seed. The blind man would not exalt his own ideas over the evidence that God supplied.
Rich young ruler — Jesus
The rich young ruler thought goodness came from his own following of the exact stipulations of the law. But when it came to the great principle of loving his neighbor as himself, he could not humble himself to do it. He contrasted with the Lord Jesus who was prepared to lay down his own life that others might live and yet claimed God only could truly be called “good.” Let us remember the words, “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus” and let us now commemorate the love of God with all humility of mind.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One