God created us as social beings, but without this one thing, we’ll lack real community.
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Matthew 15:21-28
In this story, the Canaanite woman humbles herself before the Lord. She does all but explicitly admit that she is a dog, that she doesn’t deserve to receive anything from Jesus. But she persists, and begs to receive a single “crumb” of a miracle from Him, having faith that Christ’s compassion and grace will win out and that she may receive the miracle that she so desperately asks for.
There’s another similar story in Matthew, in chapter 8, a Roman Centurion comes to Jesus asking him to heal his servant. Once again, the subject humbles himself in faith, admitting that Jesus is above him. He doesn’t drag himself down to the status of dog, but he confesses that he knows Jesus is in command of all things, exalting Him, and humbling himself by admitting he is subordinate to Him.
Without this humility in faith, we will never receive anything from God. In James 4:2-3, James says “You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” By asking, we admit that we cannot get it or do it ourselves. This is part of the way to the humility God seeks from us, but even if we have the humility to ask, that doesn’t mean we’re truly humble. God wants us to also humble ourselves to admitting he is our lord, like the centurion did. When we do that, we begin to submit to His will instead of our own “passions” and desires, and when we seek what God wants, He will always say “yes”.
Our Own Hearts
This is how we begin to grow. But how do we get to the point where we are willing to submit to God’s rule entirely? The obvious steps are to read His Word often so that we can know who He truly is and what He truly wants from our lives. We also need to commune with him in prayer and quiet time meditating on His Word. When I say “often”, I mean that it should be a large portion of your to do list for each day. Through communing with Him, as you would your father, the Holy Spirit will begin to work in your heart to cleanse and purify it, as James 4:8 says: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
This is hard, though! Very few people throughout time have excelled at making God their true #1 priority. But God has given us a secret weapon: the Church! In 1 Thessalonians alone, we are told 3 times (in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, and 5:14) to encourage one another. In numerous verses, we’re also called to love one another.
This is part of our duty and yet another command we fail at. Sure, we meet together every Sunday and maybe at a weekly Bible Study or small group gathering, but how well are we really fulfilling the role of the church for one another? Do you know about the struggles of anyone in your local community of believers? Do you know what things assail your Christian brother’s or sister’s mind each day, discouraging them and giving them shame? Do you have any idea how much time anyone spends in the Word or in prayer with God?
How much do people know about you? Are you scared to open up and reveal the real you? Are you afraid to admit anything more than the most petty of sins (though God views all sin the same)? Put that mask down and let people see you for the absolute failure that you are.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10
Don’t be afraid to reveal your weakness, your dirty heart. If you make people believe that you are a flawless Christian, they will find no reason to pray for you and will not know that you need encouragement. This is far more damaging to you and the church than any sin you may commit! But when we are open about our impure hearts, we can pray for, encourage, and show love to one another in ways that aren’t possible when we can only see the white-washed surface. In this way, we can grow and become purified.
Final Words
To conclude, don’t be like the Pharisees, who were hypocritical, “white-washed tombs”, whose pride caused them to endeavor to make themselves look greater than their black hearts revealed. Instead, humble yourselves and admit that you are powerless and burdened with sin on your own, so that everyone around you will have the opportunity to encourage you and pray for you, and more importantly, so that the Holy Spirit will have room to work in your heart to purify it.
