When we think of ego, we picture arrogance — someone walking with a high nose, wanting to be the center of attention, needing to be right about everything.

But maintaining this image is exhausting!

It takes tremendous energy to constantly justify ourselves and look good to others.

This isn’t what Jesus wants for us. When we’re constantly justifying ourselves, we become our own saviors — and that’s a burden too heavy to carry.

Not only does it not work, but it makes us useless to others.

Remember the lawyer (in Luke 10) who asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life?

He wanted to justify himself, putting himself in a position to test God!

But Jesus responded with the Good Samaritan parable, showing compassion by not letting our salvation rest on what we can build.

Sometimes the most compassionate thing Jesus does is bring us to repentance.

It’s not about us — it’s about Jesus.

As Paul says, we should boast in Christ, not ourselves.

When we build ourselves up, we have far to fall.

But Jesus, who had every reason for ego, came to earth in the most humble way. He came so low that no sinner would escape his grasp.

Jesus had every reason to have ego — He’s the Son of God!

He commands water, waves, and even death itself listens to Him.

Yet He came lowly, so sinners like us would never escape His grace.

And now, our ego is in Christ.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Executive Director of Missions and Theology.

Contributor Matt Richard is Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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