A Posture of Humility
When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host, and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at 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 the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14:8-11 NRSV
Series: Everyday Apprentice
Devotional: 4 of 9
Throughout Scripture, the imagery of a wedding banquet symbolizes the kingdom of God. As Jesus invited guests, there is no need to obsess over status or recognition in the company of others, especially in the presence of other apprentices. With our eyes fixed on Jesus, it becomes increasingly clear that greatness in His kingdom flows from a posture of humility. In His upside-down kingdom, "the last will be first, and the first will be last." (See Matthew 20:16 NRSV)
And here lies the rub that so many people have with Jesus and His teaching. In our heart of hearts, we would prefer to experience the benefits of being first without having to suffer the consequences of being last. But when we intentionally or subtly push our way into the spotlight, we take our eyes off Jesus and naturally begin to fixate on what others may or may not be thinking about us. Indeed, Proverbs 25:6-7 NRSV warns us to, "not put [ourselves] forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, 'Come up here,' than to be put lower in the presence of a noble."
Learning to be content with lowly places is the way of Jesus and His apprentices. Our vantage point begins to shift when we willingly "sit down in the lowest place." (See Luke 14:8-11 NRSV) In this position, we can finally take off our masks and stop pretending we are someone we are not. Vulnerable but free, we are now well-positioned to see people we have never cared to notice before. Here we begin to observe needs both in others and ourselves that we were previously blind to.
Whether we choose to "stand in the place of the great" or "sit down in the lowest place" reveals a great deal about the condition of our hearts. Are we absorbing or deflecting the glory that is rightfully Jesus? Like the Pharisees, are we more interested in the temporary approval of our fellow man than the eternal rewards given generously by our Heavenly Father?
Today, as we move throughout our day, may we meditate on the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross." (See Philippians 2:5-8 NRSV)
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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