Wisdom in Humility

As humans, we have an innate desire to understand the world around us. Knowledge gives us a sense of control, as though by comprehending the “why” and “how,” we can secure stability in an uncertain world. But when it comes to God’s vast wisdom and eternal plan, our finite minds are incapable of grasping the infinite. It is in this tension—between our longing to know and our inability to understand—that humility becomes essential.

In Matthew 15:24-28, Jesus’ encounter with the Gentile woman reminds us of the importance of approaching God with both faith and humility. The woman acknowledged her place in the grand narrative, referring to herself as a “little dog.” This wasn’t an act of self-deprecation but rather an acceptance of her position relative to God’s covenant with Israel. Despite this, she trusted in Jesus’ mercy, boldly asking for her “crumbs” of grace. Her humility didn’t weaken her faith—it amplified it, and she received the blessing she sought.

This humility stands in stark contrast to the Pharisees’ attitude in Luke 18:9-14, where Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee proudly boasted of his righteousness, listing his acts of devotion as though he could earn God’s favor. Meanwhile, the tax collector stood at a distance, unable even to lift his eyes, and pleaded for mercy. God honored the humility of the tax collector, showing us that it is not our accomplishments or self-assurance that please Him, but our recognition of our dependence on His grace.

The Struggle to Let Go

The need to let go of our desire for control is further highlighted in Matthew 22:41-45, when Jesus asks the Pharisees a question they cannot answer: “How is it that David, in the Spirit, calls his descendant ‘Lord’?” This question exposed their inability to reconcile their understanding of the Messiah with the reality of Jesus standing before them. Instead of yielding in humility and seeking to understand, they clung to their pride, refusing to believe in what they couldn’t fully grasp.

This struggle mirrors Job’s experience in Job 38-42, where God responds to Job’s questions not with answers, but with a revelation of His majesty. God reminds Job of the vastness of His creation—the stars, the seas, the creatures—and Job is humbled by his own smallness. He confesses, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3). Job’s humility allowed him to find peace, not through comprehension but through trust.

The Pharisees, however, took the opposite path. Despite witnessing Jesus’ miracles and hearing His teaching, they rejected Him because accepting His authority would mean surrendering their own. Their pride blinded them to the truth and cost them the opportunity to receive God’s wisdom and blessings.

Humility in Action

Humility is not about diminishing ourselves; it is about acknowledging our proper place in relation to God. When we approach life with humility, we stop striving to understand everything and start trusting the One who does. It is a reminder that our value is not tied to how much we know or achieve, but to how deeply we trust and depend on God.

Aristotle’s observation, “The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know,” is a truth that applies both to the pursuit of human knowledge and to our relationship with God. The Pharisees, who prided themselves on their understanding of the scriptures, missed the very fulfillment of those scriptures in Jesus. Their insistence on controlling their narrative and preserving their authority prevented them from seeing the truth unfolding before them.

In contrast, the Gentile woman and the tax collector approached God with humility and faith, trusting Him even when they didn’t have all the answers. Their willingness to let go of control opened the door to God’s blessings.

Trust Beyond Understanding

Comprehension is not a prerequisite for obedience or faith. In fact, insisting on understanding everything before submitting to God’s will often creates unnecessary obstacles. The Pharisees’ story serves as a cautionary tale: their pride and need for control caused them to reject the wisdom and grace that could have transformed their lives.

When we let go of the need to have all the answers, we free ourselves to experience the fullness of God’s love and wisdom. We stop being weighed down by frustration and start marveling at the beauty of His plan.

Reflection

When you gaze at the stars at night, do you allow your wonder to be eclipsed by frustration at the vastness of the universe you cannot comprehend?

If you were a father or mother of two children, whom are you more likely to bless: the one who loves you and trusts that you know what’s best for him even if he doesn’t understand—or the one who thinks he’s too smart for you and doesn’t need you?