Luke 14:7-11
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Luke 14:7-11 noting anything that stands out to you.
This same group of religious leaders who just put Jesus to the test regarding healing on the Sabbath are now vying for position at the dinner table. Not only do they lack compassion and an understanding of the spirit of Sabbath-keeping, they are also completely unaware of the nature of true greatness from God’s perspective.
This struggle to be perceived as “the greatest” is not limited to the religious elite. Even among Jesus’ closest followers it has been a frequent topic of discussion. Recall this passage from earlier in Luke’s Gospel:
“Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.’” – Luke 9:46-48
Stop to think about your own desire to be seen as important, or accomplished, or “great” in some way. Do you ever fall into the comparison trap weighing yourself or your accomplishments against other people? Speak openly and honestly about this with Jesus.
Read Luke 14:7-11 again.
We were created to rest in God’s perfect design for us and to celebrate God’s design for others, but this synergy between people was broken when humans rebelled against God’s good and perfect ways. Now, rather than rest in our own God-given identity, we all tend to fall victim to comparison, and we inevitably end up like the Pharisees jockeying for position.
Humility is not a lack of confidence. True humility is possible only when the source of our confidence is located in our identity as defined by God. When we surrender our insecurities and longings for significance, the Holy Spirit begins to peel back the layers of our false self so that we can see and embrace God’s original design for us. And when we are firmly rooted in God’s design, we can at last embody a quiet confidence that allows us to happily take the lower position.
For the final moments of this time of reflection, meditate on these words from James, the half-brother of Jesus, and ask Jesus to speak to you about true humility:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.” – James 4:10
What are you hearing from Jesus today?
What do you intend to do about it?
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