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Luke 13-14: Be Humble, God Will Exalt You

Jan 13, 2009
Christian Living, humility, Luke

Today’s reading is Luke 13:1-14:35.

SMACKDOWN!

That’s what today’s reading is for me. Especially in Luke 14:7-11, called the parable of the wedding feast. Don’t take the seat of honor, Jesus says, lest you find out you didn’t deserve it and get humiliated in front of everyone. Instead, take the lower seats. Sure, you may end up stuck there. On the other hand, you may be exalted before everyone as the host explains you deserve to sit at a higher rank.

I need to hear this today (and every day). I have an awfully arrogant tendency to think I should be receiving most of the honor. For most of my life I have been plagued with jealousy when others receive honor. Thankfully, God has been working on that one and I’m gaining progressive victory over that arrogance. However, I needed this reminder. 

Of course, while Jesus couches His point in a seemingly self-serving practical point, I don’t think that was Jesus’ point. Jesus wasn’t saying, do this in some kind of self-deprecating, false modesty. Rather, he was using this scenario to explain the reality of life in general. When I think more of myself than I ought, God will humble me (King Saul comes to mind, as does King Rehoboam). On the other hand, when I walk with sincere humility, God will exalt me at the right time. I don’t walk with the humility in order to be exalted, because then that wouldn’t be sincere humility, would it? I can see it now as we develop our humility competition, “I’m more humble than you are.” No. That is not really humility. 

Rather, when I go to the lower place because I truly believe others are more important than me (cf. Philippians 2:3-4), then God will exalt me.

Praise God for this reminder.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

 

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

3 Comments
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  • http://www.andysochor.com Andy Sochor

    I've got a question about something I hadn't noticed until today. Jesus healed a woman at the synagogue on the Sabbath. Then Luke 13:14 says, "But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, 'There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day.'"

    This official didn't say this to Jesus, but to the crowd. Is he saying that one would be guilty of sin if Jesus healed them on the Sabbath?

    Jesus defended His actions. His healing on the Sabbath did not violate God's law, but man's. In response to Jesus violating a commandment of men, is this official inventing a new commandment of men?

    There could be a lesson here for us. If we aren't content with God's law, and want to add our own, there is really no stopping place. We've already gone beyond the word of God. The more comfortable we become with where we've progressed, the more likely we'll keep going.

  • Edwin Crozier

    Clearly, the guy was making up laws or misinterpreting laws. The text really doesn't tell us why he turned to the crowd instead of speaking to Jesus. However, my speculation is that when someone has the power to heal leprosy, you don't mess with them. I think the man was a coward and instead of trying to tell Jesus what to do, he turned to the crowds.

  • http://www.andysochor.com Andy Sochor

    You're probably right about him being a coward and not wanting to confront Jesus. I guess if he could prevent the sick people from even coming on the Sabbath, that would also prevent Jesus from violating "the law" by healing on the Sabbath.



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