WELCOMING HUMILITY
"Let it be done for you according to your faith." And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. - Mt. 9:29-31
I’ve always been surprised when I read Gospel passages where Jesus does not want his miraculous deeds to be known. Why would he try to hide something that was so powerful and did so much good? Why would he not want people to know about what was possible through His presence? And why was it dismissed in a warning tone?
It doesn’t make sense in a world today where all good deeds must not only be shared, published on social media, and otherwise, but also lauded and applauded. Especially with all the turmoil in the world, why would something so positive like this be intentionally made miniscule?
That of course is my human thinking. I can only conjecture at Jesus’ wisdom behind his actions in this regard. As I sit with the question though, the notion of humility does begin to surface. Jesus knew what he would have to go through in a short amount of time. He knew that for our redemption to be fulfilled, he couldn’t become that type of worldly celebrated king during his time on earth. He knew his path and what he would have to endure. That is, his view was well beyond the short-sighted praise that would inevitably arise in these moments.
I see how the training ground of humility has been useful in my life recently as well - learning to become more detached from either praise or criticism toward the longer view and vision of where my life is going, and even more importantly, to stay grounded in my own worth before God. Jesus always knew this as front and center in His life - his belovedness despite anything he did or experienced.
In what ways can humility be a teaching guide for me as I dive deeper into Advent? Jesus, please help me to see more as you see, versus only in my limited thinking.
Quyen (Nhi) Ngo