Hypocrisy vs. Humility

“Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,  This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.  But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men… Then Jesus went thence… And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto Him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil… Then came she and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me.  But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.  And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 15:7-28). 

Our Savior saw hypocrisy,

Exposing it for what it was.

It boasts of great humility,

But that is far from what it does.

Isaiah rightly prophesied

Of hearts which from the Lord were far.

Their words were vain and filled pride;

Our Savior calls them as they are.

Our Savior moved with certainty

To show exactly what He meant.

A woman with humility

From Canaan’s coast to Him was sent.

She cried to Christ that He might heal

Her daughter with a devil vexed,

This woman’s humble heart was real,

Exposed by what she then said next.

Our Lord then spoke of children’s bread

Which to the dogs should not be thrown.

Now hear the words this woman said

By which humility was shown:

“Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat crumbs

Which fall from their own master’s table.”

Our Savior’s commendation comes,

And then He shows that He is able!  

  

O Lord, the difference here is plain

In each opposing moral theme:

Hypocrisy is surely vain,

But humble hearts You will redeem.

We thank You, Lord, for Your instruction

That guides us in Your perfect way.

O purge our hearts from pride’s seduction

And keep us humble day by day.