How can we apply the humility shown in Matthew 26:22 to our lives? Setting the Scene “ They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ ” (Matthew 26:22) Jesus has just announced that one of His closest companions will betray Him. Rather than pointing fingers, every disciple looks inward first, admitting the possibility of personal failure. Seeing Humility in the Disciples • Immediate self-examination, not self-defense • Recognition of personal weakness rather than assumption of innocence • Submission to Christ’s judgment (“Lord”) instead of asserting their own reliability Lessons for Our Hearts Today • True humility starts with “Could it be me?” instead of “It must be them.” • A humble heart accepts that sin is possible in me, even when circumstances look stable. • Humility honors Jesus as the final evaluator of our motives and actions. Practical Steps to Live This Humility 1. Begin each day with honest confession – Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me.” 2. Pause before judging others – 1 Corinthians 10:12: “So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.” 3. Replace self-confidence with Christ-confidence – Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” not through my own sufficiency. 4. Accept correction quickly – Proverbs 12:1: “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” 5. Speak with gentleness about others’ failures – Galatians 6:1: “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, watching yourself so you also will not be tempted.” 6. Keep short accounts with God and people – 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive…” 7. Celebrate grace more than performance – Ephesians 2:8-9: Salvation is “not from yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Scriptures that Reinforce the Call • Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride…” • James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” • Luke 18:13-14 – The tax collector’s prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” leads to justification. • Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Closing Encouragement Humility is not self-degradation; it is clear-eyed dependence on Jesus. When we respond as the disciples did—“Surely not I, Lord?”—we keep our hearts soft, our relationships clean, and our witness bright in a proud world. |
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