In the Christian Science Bible Lesson July 4, 2011 Issue

A humbling experience

For the lesson titled "Sacrament" from July 4-10, 2011

Kathleen Collins

This week’s Bible Lesson , titled “Sacrament,” is a lesson in humility. Each section illustrates the humility requisite to follow Jesus’ example in healing, serving others, and worshipping God. We are instructed to “be clothed with humility” (I Pet. 5:5, Golden Text), to put on “humbleness of mind” (Col. 3:12, Responsive Reading), to “walk humbly” with God (Mic. 6:8, citation 1), to humble ourselves as a “little child” (Matt. 18:3, 4, cit. 3), and to feel humility (Science and Health, p. 8, cit. 2). 

To grow in humility, the right disposition is needed— fervent desire, habitual struggle, longing, watchfulness, and striving (Science and Health, p. 4, cit. 4). Jesus’ disciples had to find this out. They appeared less than modest when they pressed Jesus to say who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. His response must have been startling—a little child? The point isn’t who will be greatest, but who will be humblest. And yet, do we truly want to be humble? Science and Health asserts: “Praying for humility with whatever fervency of expression does not always mean a desire for it” (p. 8, cit. 2). Honesty with oneself is essential.  

Like the disciples, the Pharisees had a lot to learn about humility. Had they forgotten the words of the prophet Isaiah? “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled,” he said, “and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down” (Isa. 2:11, cit. 6) The Pharisees watched Jesus silently, with lofty looks. Would he heal on the Sabbath? They knew the commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy and “not do any work” (see Ex. 20:8–11). The Bible itself gives very little specific directive as to how “work” is defined, but the Pharisees had been constructing their own interpretations for centuries, developing the oral tradition of rabbinical law. The Gospels indicate that they had interpreted the heart right out of the law! Jesus healed a man of dropsy and then told a parable directed at the Pharisees, the moral being that “whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14, cit. 9). Science and Health notes: “It should have humbled the pride of the priests, when they saw the demonstration of Christianity excel the influence of their dead faith and ceremonies” (p. 228, cit. 5).  