Tag: Luke 14
It’s best to be humble
Scripture reading for March 21: Luke 14
“Now He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11
Pride is a hallmark of the sinners life. Sinners almost always think more highly of themselves than others and they seldom think of God as real or of deserving honor. Jesus came to a feast given on the Sabbath by a ruler of the Pharisees. They were watching Him carefully, to trap Jesus. He healed a man with dropsy and they were silently angry at His ‘work’ on the sacred Sabbath. In response to their judgment, Jesus told the invited guests a parable of a wedding feast with invited guests. Those in attendance had evidently taken places of honor and there was jostling for these choice positions. This selfish attitude was evident in the religious life of Israel and was also among the disciples–wanting positions of honor at Jesus’ right hand.
But Jesus used this parable to teach that it’s best to be humble and take the lowest seat first. The master of the banquet can then invite you to take a better place rather than remove you from the highest place bringing shame and dishonor. This was a spiritual principle of Christ’s kingdom and a core principle of His world view: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” This is contrary to the world’s view of grab the best for you! Repentance requires humility. The kingdom of heaven is like being invited to a wedding banquet. The Groom is Jesus Christ and those invited are the humble who will graciously respond and put on the wedding garments provided! (Luke 14:16-23)
Have you responded to Christ’s invitation to His great banquet? What are indications in your own life that you are now acting in humility and taking the ‘lower place?’ Is it wrong to have expectations of great reward for serving Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the invitation to attend the greatest banquet ever, the wedding supper of the Lamb! I am thankful for any place at that table. Use me to spread the invitation to others who need to humble themselves in repentance before this great event takes place. Amen.
Jesus demands first place!
Scripture reading for March 23rd: Luke 14
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 14:25-27 “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them He said: “I anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be My disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.””
This teaching of Jesus appears to go against His command for all disciples to ‘love one another’. (John 15:17) But Jesus was really saying that our love for Him must surpass our love for our father or mother and even our wife and children. We must love Him more than our own life–enough to be willing to take up a cross and march with Him to death in obedience to the Father! Discipleship is not a casual pursuit! Jesus calls us into the most demanding of all relationships! It takes our whole-hearted devotion and love to be a disciple!
Observations for over-comers: It is easy to be part of a crowd traveling with Jesus but it costs total devotion to become one of His disciples! It is worth the cost! “I am the Lord; that is My Name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)
Blessed are those who will eat!
Scripture reading for March 23rd: Luke 14
Jesus was invited to the house of a prominent Pharisee for a meal on a Sabbath day. Luke states that Jesus was being closely watched and He took the opportunity to stir up controversy by healing a man there with dropsy. These religious people had nothing to say but were sure thinking!
But Jesus was also watching those in attendance. When He noticed the guests trying to pick places of honor next to the host, Jesus told them a story, “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. 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. . . .”For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-9, 11)
In response, another guest spoke to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15) Jesus told another story about a man who was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. When the final call went out to come, his guests began to make excuses. One had bought a field and needed to see it. Another had bought oxen he wanted to try. Another had just gotten married. The owner of the house got angry and instructed his servants to go into the streets and towns and bring the crippled, the lame, the poor and needy. The servants were to compel whoever would to come in! In conclusion Jesus said, “I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” (Luke 14:24)