April 14 2025

Monday April 14

Genuine Humility Brings True Honor

Luke 14:7-11

7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat! Today, we’re diving into a powerful lesson from Jesus in Luke 14:7-11, where He teaches us about humility through a parable told at a dinner table. You can easily picture the scene in this passage. Jesus is at a dinner, watching guests scramble for the best seats, closest to the host, the spots that scream, “I’m important!” It’s a familiar human impulse, isn’t it? We want to be noticed, valued, respected. Maybe it’s not about seats at a table for us, but we chase status in other ways, through titles, likes on social media, or being seen with the “right” people. 

Jesus sees this and tells a parable that flips the script. He says, don’t rush to the head of the table, assuming you deserve it. Why? Because pride sets you up for embarrassment. If someone more honorable arrives, you’ll be asked to move down, talk about a humbling moment! Instead, Jesus says, take the lowest seat. Be content with less. Trust the host to notice and invite you higher if it’s fitting. 

This isn’t just about dinner etiquette, it’s about the posture of our hearts. Jesus ends with a principle that echoes through Scripture: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Humility is a fundamental grace in the Christian life, and yet it is elusive; if you know you have it, you have lost it! It has well been said that humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is simply not thinking of ourselves at all.

Peter must have remembered this occasion because later he writes in his epistle  “…Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:5-6). Proverbs 13:10 teaches us that, “Only by pride comes contention…”. Pride is at the root of all of our sins. Eve was tempted by Satan with pride, “You will be like god if you eat this fruit…” (Genesis 3:5).

Jesus is the greatest example of humility, and we would do well to ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to imitate Him (Phil. 2:1-16). He didn’t grasp for glory, though He deserved it all. He washed feet, served sinners, and died on a cross. Yet God exalted Him above every name (Philippians 2:5-11). That’s the kind of humility we’re called to. 

So, what does this look like today? Humility shows up in small choices: letting someone else go first, listening instead of speaking, serving without expecting applause. It’s resisting the urge to promote yourself and trusting God to open doors. It’s recognizing that everyone at the table, whether they’re “important” or not, because they matter to God.

Here’s the challenge: This week, practice one act of humility each day. Maybe it’s giving up your spot in line, let someone cut in front of you while driving with kindness and grace, complimenting someone without expecting anything back, or doing a kind deed anonymously. Notice how it feels to step back and let God take the lead. We need God’s grace to live a life of selflessness every day! And we should remember that, “God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble…” (James 4:6).

My friends, by God’s grace, let’s go out and live this parable. Choose the low seat. Serve someone quietly. Watch how God works through your humility.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us the beauty of humility. Forgive us for the times we chase status or put ourselves first. Teach us to take the lowest place, to trust You with our worth, and to serve others with love. Holy Spirit, guide us this week to live humbly, reflecting Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

God bless!