May 22 Choose Humility

Luke 14:7-11 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
 
PAUSE on Jesus’ remarkable words. He is the Savior of the world, Lord of Hosts, the King of Kings, the Son of Man and the Son of God. These are a few titles that describe his holy character. Peter sums Jesus perfectly in Acts 4:10-12 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “‘The stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Surely, the Savior could properly walk into a room and say, “I’m here. Give me the top seat.”
    Yet, his life demonstrated how you are to humbly live for him. Humility marked his physical life: Matthew 8:20 “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Even more, humility marks Jesus’ death for our life: Philippians 2:7-11 he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! 9 Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
    The Lord humbly came from Heaven’s glory for your sake. Praise the Lord for he loves you so deeply. He lived a servant’s life and died as a sacrifice. Think of it! Humility, servant and sacrifice are words that describe the Savior.
    Jesus’ humility glorified – honored, praised and exalted – God the Father. Be as Jesus. Faithfully use your gifts for his purpose. Look to others first. Forgive as he forgives you. Love others. In this way, you will be Jesus’ disciple, glorifying your Savior to a pride-driven world.
   
Prayer: Father, forgive my pride, strengthen me to a faithful humility. Teach me to remember how the King of Glory humbled himself for me. In his name I seek you, amen.