You Will Be Rewarded
Humility Series
“We may give up our place of honor, but the Lord sees our deeds that are done even in secret, and will reward you…”
“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.””
Explanation:
Luke’s Gospel offers us a story about humility that is unique to Luke and not found in the other synoptic Gospels (Matthew or Mark). We might consider Jesus’ parable here as a “riff” off of Proverbs 25:6-7, “where the author writes that it is better for the host to call someone up than to assert oneself to try to get his attention.”¹ Here, Jesus unpacks for us the difference between self-exaltation and God’s exaltation. It is also important to understand the honor/shame dynamic in the culture that Jesus lived, which was intimately tied to ideas of character and self-worth. In exalting one’s self by seeking out a more honorable seat, a person brings shame upon himself. However, when one humbles himself, he is exalted to glory by God – who is the ultimate host.²
Connection:
Jesus has a way of speaking to us using illustrations that hit us right where it hurts. In a certain way, he knew exactly how to "push our buttons," to speak to us in ways that will conjure up images of our own experiences. What's more, Jesus' illustrations are just as applicable today as they were two thousand years ago. Here we are, despite all of the "progress" we have made, still wrestling with the same faults, the same pride, and indeed the same sins.
Jesus' teaching about pride and humility resonates with us so much precisely because it is so true of us all. Many of us have experienced this same scenario. We come and sit at a place of our choosing, only to be embarrassed and ashamed when we are told to move to make room for someone else who is deemed more important than we. Yet Jesus offers us a way to spare ourselves of such embarrassment. When we exalt ourselves before others, we are bound to be humbled - if not by ourselves than by someone else. Yet, when we humble ourselves from the outset, we put ourselves in a position to be exalted. Such is the case in the Kingdom of Heaven, for God is able to work wonders through those who are humble.
Action:
1. Become Accountable -
We all know our own hearts and understand our own weaknesses. If we know how we are vulnerable, we are able to take steps to be accountable. Therefore, surround yourself with loving brothers and sisters in Christ who can help with mutual accountability (Prv. 27:17).
2. Pick Up Your Cross -
Mortification is a term that theologians use which means to "put to death." In the context of our walk with Jesus, it refers to putting to death of our flesh and selfish desires (Phil 2:3). It is something that we embark on daily as we carry our cross. Therefore, make it a point of practice to always lay down your pride for the sake of others, trusting that God will save a place for you in his Kingdom.
3. Accept the Lowest Place -
Even when we are not seeking our own exaltation, we can still give up our place of honor in order to bless others. We may give up our place of honor, but the Lord sees our deeds that are done even in secret, and will reward you (Mt 6:4).
¹Darrell L. Bock, Luke: the NIV Application Commentary from Biblical Text--to Contemporary Life, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1996), 580.
²Ibid.