Humility

Humility

Luke 14:7-11, NIV

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But 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 honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Setting the Scene

After the minor flap over Jesus’ healing the sick man, the seating of the guests quickly got under way. Jesus immediately saw a teachable moment as the people jostled for places of honor in the seating arrangement. Luke describes Jesus’ next comments as a “parable,” though it certainly reads more like direct teaching. The term parable is used in the New Testament in a broader sense than the word has come to mean today. Luke 14:8-11 is not included in the usual lists of Jesus’ parables. The incisive power of Jesus’ statement was that it contrasted sharply with the immediate behavior of those at the gathering. He was saying, “The next time you’re in a situation like this, take a different, wiser approach than you have taken today.”

Jesus’ description contains a touch of humor based on a potentially embarrassing social faux pas. The failure to practice humility can easily lead to humiliation. Jesus’ use of the proverb, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” is echoed by James later in the New Testament and given its deepest application: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10, NIV).

We’re not told where Jesus sat on this occasion, but it appears he did not participate in the dash for the seats. When we gather in his name today, do we deliberately invite him into the place of honor and give him undivided attention? This is a question we answer both as individuals and congregations every time we gather for worship.

Getting Personal

What situations can you think of in the near future that would allow you to take a humble position?

How do you differentiate between true and false humility?

The idea of Jesus occupying a seat to one side, inconspicuous in a worship service, ought to cause us to think again about our awareness of his presence in worship. It is quite possible that we are more attuned to what we are doing or feeling than to the one we claim to be worshiping.

Talking to God

Make the subtle distinction between focusing on the actions or forms of your worship and focusing on Christ himself. Ask the Lord to show you his glory and goodness, which will assure your own humility in his presence. Give him your honor.