Hold back!
Opening Prayer
Jesus, teach me to humble myself in real-life situations and to seek the honor that only can come from You.
Read LUKE 14:1–11
[1] One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. [2] There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. [3] Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” [4] But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. [5] Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” [6] And they had nothing to say. [7] 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. [9] If 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. [10] 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 honored in the presence of all the other guests. [11] For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is Jesus saying about servanthood?Most of us want to be well-thought-of. Some people put a lot of time and energy into pushing themselves forward. But Jesus calls for a different way. It looks as though he is not entirely welcome at this meal. Perhaps the suffering man (2) was planted as a test case. Again Jesus shows that the Pharisees aren’t thinking straight, pointing out the folly of thinking ourselves to be too important. The Pharisees were concerned about status. Jesus was not. Here and elsewhere he calls for humility and service, and he models these qualities in his own life, coming as a servant and expecting the same attitude in his followers. This goes against the grain. Jesus suggests that we should take a lower place so that we might be elevated (10). We do not know how things will unfold in this life, but it is our responsibility to live in humility, willing to serve. We are to have a realistic assessment of ourselves and to respect and honor others. The key thing is that the standards of this world do not apply in the kingdom. Again and again we see that the humble, the poor and the marginalized are welcomed by God.
Apply
Look back over the last few months. Thank God for all that he has done for you in Jesus. Sit quietly and enjoy his love.
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for taking the lowest seat that I may be brought to Your table.
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