21. Pilgrimage to Paradise: Pride, A Boulder in the Path

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Submission would be whole lot easier if 1 Peter 5:5b was always true.

"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another…"

As Peter ends his letter to the believers of his day, men and women had been forced to scatter throughout their world because of persecution, he addresses for a moment those with spiritual authority. He encourages them to be true shepherds, examples, imitators of the Great Shepherd, Jesus. As he finishes that brief word he tells those younger to submit to their spiritual leaders. Some exult at that instruction; others resent it. Few read, or dwell, on the phrase that follows.

"In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. ALL OF YOU, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…"

I wonder if Peter was thinking of a certain discussion that took place just before Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to His death? An ambitious mother came to Jesus to ask Him to make her sons His right (and left) hand men when He established His kingdom.

The other disciples were not pleased! But this turned out to be one of those teachable moments that Jesus took advantage of.

"Jesus called them together and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'" (Matthew 20:20-28)

The path to greatness in the kingdom is measured by humble servanthood, where each one honours the other above himself.

But Peter goes on with a "because."

"In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God apposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.'"

A couple of examples come to mind: Nebuchadnezzar, whose madness was attributed to God's punishment of his pride (Daniel 4:33), and Herod, proud as that proverbial peacock, who wasn't quick enough to give God the glory reserved for Him, and ended up dead! (Acts 12:19-23)

Pride has some serious consequences. It is a boulder in the path of pilgrims journeying toward heaven.

But those who put others ahead of themselves as a servant would are promised Divine favour. What does that look like?

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

Neither Nebuchadnezzar nor Herod would have thought that their pride, which caused them to "lord it over" others, was actually an offense against God—though Herod came all too close! All pride refuses to recognize that it is from the Lord that all gifts and accomplishments come, including those of which we are the proudest. Humility is recognizing the One from whom all such blessings flow. That kind of humility is the great leveler. To all of us comes whatever we are and have, not from somewhere inside of ourselves or because of our efforts or superiority, but from God's mighty hand.

And it will be that hand that raises our head, not to honour ourselves, but to honour Him.