“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.” (Luke 14:10)
Jesus took the opportunity to teach about humility as a guest at the house of one of the chief Pharisees. (Luke 14:1) It seems that His notoriety got Jesus invites to eat at some of the Pharisees’ houses at first. (Luke 7:36; 11:37) But they didn’t invite Him to get to know Him better, but to find fault with Him. (Luke 6:7; 11:53; 20:20) Jesus knew this and accepted this challenge.
It seems odd that one would invite a sick person to a dinner. But the Scripture says that “before Him” at this dinner was a man who had the dropsy, a disease evident by extreme swelling of the feet, legs, ankles, hands and face. This was a sabbath day and the Pharisees had probably staged it to see if Jesus would heal on the sabbath. And He does but points out their hypocrisy by stating that if they had an ox or ass which fell in a pit, they’d rescue it even if it were on the sabbath.
Jesus seems to be center stage at this dinner. He comments on what is going on as He notices how they select preeminence at the dinner and tells a parable to teach humility, an acknowledgement of one’s low importance. Humility or humbleness is one of the characteristics of the new man. It’s a mindset that manifests in behavior that honors others instead of self and places others first instead of self. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
The world system exalts self. There is a striving to outdo and look better and thought of better even if it’s not true. I remember a co-worker who even if she was proven to be wrong, always turned things around so that in the end, she was right, even if she was wrong and made a point to ensure that it was clear and understood. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:4-6) To think that God would oppose us in our pride is deterrent enough for me to leave envy and lust alone. “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psalms 84:10) To be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord refers to the lowest task of the Levite tribe of Korah. (1 Chronicles 9:19) His work was outside of the temple, not inside. The closer one’s task was to the Holy of Holies, the more important the task was. It’s interesting that Korah who had the lowest task as a Levite led an insurrection that resulted in his death, being swallowed by the earth. We can see that he was consumed with lust and envy to be recognized. “Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19)
God honors humility and humbleness. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” (James 4:10) God’s kingdom is the direct opposite of the world system. The disciples were discussing who among them was the greatest. Of course, they were thinking in worldly terms, thinking that Jesus would overturn the Roman government and rule, they along with Him. Jesus tells them that in His kingdom it’s different. “And He sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) They never truly understood everything until the resurrection and Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.” (Proverbs 29:23)
Coming before the Lord in humility and humbleness is the only way to approach the Lord. “If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14) When we recognize that before God, we are nothing if not for Christ, the Lord is exalted in His Love, Mercy, Goodness and Might. He can show His compassion and grace on us. We have the privilege of approaching the Throne of Grace and Mercy as a child of God. We come boldly because we have access, but humbly because it was not on our account.
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