Luke 14:7

New International Version (NIV)

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable

For Meditation

I have always admired ladies and how they sit when wearing skirts, especially when facing an interviewer or an audience. With graceful care, they sit with crossed legs, usually slanted to their left side. Don’t ask me why they angle to their left. One thing I know is that they take extreme care to prevent exposing themselves to public spectacle.

Jesus talked about another “how” of life when he went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee (Lk. 14:1-11). Observing how the guests picked the places of honor, Jesus told them a parable to illustrate the wisdom and benefit of humility (8-10). He advised that at wedding feasts, it is wiser to choose a seat in the lowest place and be called up later by the host to a place of honor than to pick a place of honor and be asked to vacate it when a more worthy person comes in. “For all those who exalt themselves,” Jesus nailed the point, “will be humbled; and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (11). I am sure the Pharisees took notice. They assumed spiritual superiority and eventual higher positions in the kingdom. But the caution Jesus gave was that they would be shocked to see those positions of honor filled by others. Excellent lesson on the “how” of life for us all!

The late Secretary of State under President Reagan, Alexander Haig, suffered such humiliation with his infamous, “I am in charge here,” before TV cameras when Reagan was shot and hospitalized. Vice President Bush was out of Washington, and Secretary Haig quickly stepped in and gave the impression that he was next in line to the Presidency, should Reagan die. Constitutionally, he was wrong, and the ensuing outrage forced Haig to publicly rescind his claim. He never recovered from that political gaffe.

Our best example of humility, and the “how” of life, is our Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:6-9). In spite of His divinity, Jesus humbled Himself by assuming a servant role in a human body, and learning obedience to His death on the cross for our redemption. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (9).

James, therefore, advises us to, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (Ja. 4:10). The Apostle Peter reinforces the wise counsel: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Pt. 5:6).

The point is, humility always exalts; but pride invites humiliation and disgrace (Prov. 16:18). It is a lesson that will never fail anyone and anywhere; certainly, not before the Lord.

Shalom