Word@Work Luke230 - Luke 14:7-11
Published: Tue, 11/09/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
INSTINCTIVE SELF-IMPORTANCE
Luke 14:7-11 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honoured in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (NIV)
Jesus was not just responding to questions which sought to trap Him; He also exposed the motives of their hearts. On this occasion, at a banquet given by a prominent Pharisee (Luke 14:1), Jesus saw how other guests tried to get places near the host because that would make them look more important. His parable in these verses was not very subtle because, although the story was set in a wedding feast, the parallels would have been embarrassingly obvious.
Jesus had observed that those who pushed themselves forwards were likely to be publically humiliated as they were asked to move when important guests arrived. But this was not just a lesson on etiquette or good manners; it wrapped up several important messages in one. Firstly, proud people will be brought low - it is a divine rule which applies on earth and at the great judgement - because all are equal except God ... and so those who express superiority over others are taking God's place. Humility is therefore the normal characteristic of truly godly people; and pride marks out those who God will have to deal with. Secondly, the Pharisee and his friends arrogantly thought that their piety brought them nearer to Father God, even though God the Son was sitting at the same table and they resisted His authority. They would be in for a big shock on judgement day.
We will do well to learn the simple lessons of humility. Apart from its benefits in social interaction, there are great benefits for the proclamation of the Gospel. Although the message is powerful, an arrogant messenger will get in the way of what he/she is saying. The message cannot be heard properly because it is all about Jesus who humbled Himself unto death (Philippians 2:5-8). And if integrity in our witness is important, so it is vital in our worship. If we think of ourselves more highly than others are we not falling into the same trap as the Pharisees who were unconsciously trying to grab God's place? Such people cannot worship with any honesty. So for our own sake, the sake of our friends and colleagues and for God's sake, let us learn how to humble ourselves now.
Prayer: Almighty and most merciful Father. Thank You for showing me again that pride will make me so weak in work, worship and witness. I am sorry for not dealing with this instinctive plague in my soul and thereby spoiling my relationship with You and other people. Please help me to see how great You are and how You have made all human beings equal in Your sight; so that I may repent of thinking myself higher or better than others, ruining my worship and witness. Teach me how to enjoy learning to be like Christ in His humility, and trust You to place me wherever You choose without the need for either boasting or shame. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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Jesus was not just responding to questions which sought to trap Him; He also exposed the motives of their hearts. On this occasion, at a banquet given by a prominent Pharisee (Luke 14:1), Jesus saw how other guests tried to get places near the host because that would make them look more important. His parable in these verses was not very subtle because, although the story was set in a wedding feast, the parallels would have been embarrassingly obvious.
Jesus had observed that those who pushed themselves forwards were likely to be publically humiliated as they were asked to move when important guests arrived. But this was not just a lesson on etiquette or good manners; it wrapped up several important messages in one. Firstly, proud people will be brought low - it is a divine rule which applies on earth and at the great judgement - because all are equal except God ... and so those who express superiority over others are taking God's place. Humility is therefore the normal characteristic of truly godly people; and pride marks out those who God will have to deal with. Secondly, the Pharisee and his friends arrogantly thought that their piety brought them nearer to Father God, even though God the Son was sitting at the same table and they resisted His authority. They would be in for a big shock on judgement day.
We will do well to learn the simple lessons of humility. Apart from its benefits in social interaction, there are great benefits for the proclamation of the Gospel. Although the message is powerful, an arrogant messenger will get in the way of what he/she is saying. The message cannot be heard properly because it is all about Jesus who humbled Himself unto death (Philippians 2:5-8). And if integrity in our witness is important, so it is vital in our worship. If we think of ourselves more highly than others are we not falling into the same trap as the Pharisees who were unconsciously trying to grab God's place? Such people cannot worship with any honesty. So for our own sake, the sake of our friends and colleagues and for God's sake, let us learn how to humble ourselves now.
Prayer: Almighty and most merciful Father. Thank You for showing me again that pride will make me so weak in work, worship and witness. I am sorry for not dealing with this instinctive plague in my soul and thereby spoiling my relationship with You and other people. Please help me to see how great You are and how You have made all human beings equal in Your sight; so that I may repent of thinking myself higher or better than others, ruining my worship and witness. Teach me how to enjoy learning to be like Christ in His humility, and trust You to place me wherever You choose without the need for either boasting or shame. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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