BETTER THAN A HIGH HORSE

Better than a High Horse
Toni Babcock

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 KJV)

As a Christian, it's impossible not to look down on others when sitting atop a high horse, even though some say the view is great from up there. You can see into everyone else's business and boast about having an answer for everything. What's not to like? (I'm kidding of course.) 

The truth is, self-righteous prattle is not only detrimental to spiritual growth but harmful to others. How many times have you found yourself engaged in a conversation that began innocently enough, but digressed into prideful and tarnishing hearsay? 

Jesus didn't ride a high horse. 

He called himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life, but remained "meek and lowly of heart" till he was nailed to the cross (John 14:6 KJV) (Matthew 11:29 KJV). He ate with publicans and sinners, healed the sick, saved the fallen, and strengthened the weak. 

His harshest rebukes were toward hypocrites and self-righteous detractors; people who appeared to be riding their own high horse - but to the penitent soul he was gracious, kind, and forgiving. He rode into Jerusalem just days before His crucifixion riding the lowliest beast he could find - the foal of a donkey. 

When we truly believe and follow Jesus, we learn to be humble and follow His example, being kind to those who have fallen out of the way. 

Dying to the self-life, and surrendering to His resurrection power, we grow more and more like Jesus, and begin to understand the meaning of being "seated with Christ in heavenly places." (Ephesians 2:4-7 KJV) It's so much better than sitting on a high horse. 

Toni Babcock is author of The Stone Writer. Contact