devotional post #2000

Luke 14:7-11

Luk 14:7 Then when Jesus noticed how the guests chose the more significant places, he told them an illustration. He said to them,
Luk 14:8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the more significant place, because a person more highly regarded than you may have been invited by your host.
Luk 14:9 So the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your place.’ Then, embarrassed, you will begin to move to the least significant place.
Luk 14:10 But when you are invited, go and take the least significant place, so that when your host comes near you, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up here to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of everyone who shares the meal with you.
Luk 14:11 Because everyone who lifts himself up will be levelled off, but the one who levels off himself will be lifted up.”

least significant

Jesus is not simply applauding the value of self depreciation here. There is a gospel purpose for this instruction. He had already lamented the fact that his generation had thought themselves too important to embrace his love and join his kingdom. Like the Pharisees who represented them, they wanted to make themselves first. But in order to join Christ’s kingdom, you have to start out at the entry level position. That way, everyone around you becomes someone you can show Christ’s sacrificial love to.

LORD, we are willing to start low, because we are aiming high for you.