Humility

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

I Peter 5:5-14 | Psalm 90 | Mark 16:15-20

THE MARK OF HUMILITY

“Clothe yourselves with humility, because God ‘is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness.” - I Peter 5:5

After John Mark quit the first missionary journey (Acts 13:13), he changed his mind and was willing to be taken on the second trip (Acts 15:37). This may or may not have been an act of repentance and humility. When Paul refused to take Mark (Acts 15:38), a rift opened between Barnabas and Paul. But, eventually, the rift was healed and they were reconciled (see Colossians 4:10; II Timothy 4:11). This reconciliation required humility from both Mark and Paul. Mark later humbled himself and sought to be discipled by Peter (see I Peter 5:13). Like all Christians, Mark was repeatedly called to humble himself.

As Mark humbled himself, the Lord showed great kindness to him (see I Peter 5:5). The Lord promised: “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, but whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). In Mark’s humility, the Lord exalted him by choosing him to write one of the Gospels, under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

We can also be exalted if we will humble ourselves before God.

Prayer: Father, clothe me with humility.