Who Is the Greatest?
Opening Prayer
Father, I thank You today for those folks that I can look to as examples of lives that please 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 Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What lessons is Jesus teaching here?The cult of celebrity plagues our world. We celebrate and want to emulate those who have achieved great things. We examine their lives to see how they live. What is the secret of their success? It was no different in Jesus’ day. The Pharisees were well respected and thought of themselves as superior to others. Their religious observance set them apart from the crowd and they used their authority to maintain power and influence. Jesus, however, does not think in that way and neither should we. Initially he challenges the experts of the law about their knowledge and understanding, showing it to be false. He then tells a story against them (8-11). They would think it very important to be seated in a place that reflected their status in society. Anyone who did not acknowledge this would be ridiculed. Yet Jesus turns their thinking upside down and encourages us to adopt an attitude of humility. When are we likely to grasp status rather than humility? As you think about the roles you fulfill, ask what it would mean to humble yourself rather than seek status.
Apply
Ask God to show you the times today when you should demonstrate an attitude of humility. Ask for help to do it.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, humility doesn’t come easily to me. Help me to cultivate and practice that attitude more each day.
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