Humility: The Key to the Kingdom

Humility: The Key to the Kingdom
  
In addition to the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14, the Gospel of Luke includes other parables that remind us that God is not impressed with superficial outward displays of righteousness, but rather accepts those who are truly humbled by the awareness of their sinfulness and need for mercy. Below are three examples of this:
 
The Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-44). Jesus tells this parable to illustrate that being made right with God is about understanding the depth to which we need to be forgiven. Those who don’t think they need much forgiveness are perhaps attempting to justify themselves to God by their works.
 
The Great Banquet (Luke 14:16-23). In this parable a great banquet is thrown, yet those who are initially invited do not come for a variety of reasons. In their place, those who would never have been thought of for an invitation are now invited.
 
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). In this famous parable the son who squanders his inheritance but returns humbled is contrasted with the son whose dutifulness causes him to think he is more worthy of his father’s love.
 
In each of these parables the fundamental principle is the same: those who are truly humbled their by their sin are those who are most ready and able to receive experience God’s love and forgiveness. May we be ones whose humility indicates that we are truly citizens of the kingdom of God.