Reading: Luke 14:7-14
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them. “When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
Jesus is observing that many reveal their lack of humility by seeking the best places, the places of honor, at a banquet. That everyday situation serves to give us a precious reminder:
The citizens of the Kingdom of God are known for their humility.
When we go somewhere or do something, are we seeking the glory of God or are we seeking recognition and honor? When we do good to someone, do we only do it with those who can give us some kind of reward or also with those who can give us nothing in return?
Paradoxically, the more we seek our own honor, to be recognized, to receive prestige, the farther we are from the essence of the Gospel.
Our greatest satisfaction is knowing that we are loved and accepted by God (without deserving it). Our value and identity are based on those firm truths and not in the opinion or assessment of those who only judge us for their own convenience or to know our superficiality.
God knows us completely! And He chooses to love us!
The book of Proverbs says, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (Proverbs 29:23). And also, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).
The Lord Jesus expresses it in this way: he who exalts himself will be humiliated, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.
When the day of the Lord comes, the prideful will bend their knees against their will, but those who humbly have embraced the cross will receive with joy the inheritance that the Lord has promised them.
Christian walking is by faith, a walk in absolute dependence and trust in God and who He is. And then we have nothing to boast about, but the cross of Christ. There is no place for pride in the life of a child of God.
MEDITATE: Let us go to cross every day, that by looking upon the sublime Saviour of our lives, our pride may fall surrendered at his feet.
Translation By: Emily Stader