AMBITIOUS GUEST
Luke 14:7-14
A LESSON IN HUMILITY
I recall an Anglican Priest, we knew in South Africa during the apartheid years. I have no idea what became of him as he was later “asked to go back to Great Britain.” The legal term is deported. I understand that he had been a chaplain of a university in California before he came to Kimberley, where we first met him, his wife, his secretary, and his own chaplain. Having been recently from California, he felt he wanted to meet all Americans in the city and Thanksgiving was the perfect opportunity. His version of the beginning of Thanksgiving was put in the paper, and we were surprised when we received a phone call to invite us to his home for Thanksgiving dinner. I remember that there were two Mormon Missionaries, and an exchange teacher or student, and ourselves. Clearly none of us were interested in his beverages and as he was more interested in politics than God, and Thanksgiving Celebration, we did not even have conversation material in common.
Later, the Anglican Bishop of the Northern Cape’s post became vacant and he was asked to recommend someone, so he recommended himself and moved up to the top of his ladder. He always comes to mind when I need an illustration of the lack of humility.
On more than one occasion, Jesus used Proverbs 25:6-7 as the background for a parable lesson. He too, was at a dinner where the motive was not good.
7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked out how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
I don’t know why the King James Translation speaks of “rooms” when he is clearly speaking of positions at the feast. They reclined at the low table, and even, then there were favored positions. The modern method of preventing this happening is to put place cards for each guest.
(Matthew 23:6)
8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
The native people of Africa are very conscious of seating people according to their idea of rank, even in church. Guests would often be ushered to the platform whether they needed to be there or not. The elders and ministers would be seated on the right side, often facing facing the center of the room. The women would be in the remaining seats. Rarely did men and their wives sit together, and almost always the children would front center on blankets.
(Proverbs 25:6-7)
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
I can imagine how disturbing it would be to be moved down, perhaps as bad as to be seated at a dining table on the platform under the only light, using your utensils in American fashion, before a people who had never seen the fork in the right hand or holding peas on the inside of the curve, when everyone knew that it is a left hand tool used with the other side up. They usually ate only with an oversized spoon.
(Luke 3:8)
10 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.
I usually managed to sit with the men to the right of the room and sometimes with my wife, unless I was to be the speaker.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
It seems clear to me that Jesus was not really talking about your seat at the table, but rather
with your attitude toward life in general. Do not put yourself forward, or first. We are here to serve, not to be served.
(Proverbs 22:28, Proverbs 29:23, Matthew 23:12, Luke 1:52, Luke 18:14, James 4:10)
A LESSON IN LOVE
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Have you ever heard it said? “It’s my turn to invite,” or “It’s my turn to be invited.”
Thinking that way reflects exactly that our motive is not right.
13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
14 And thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just:
God blesses the right motivation, not the seeking of, “my rights.”
(John 5:29, Acts 24:15, Revelation 20:4,5)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN THIS YEAR
APRIL
14th Sunday - Deuteronomy 32, Luke 16, Proverbs 9:13-18
15th Monday - Deuteronomy 33, 34, Luke 17, Psalm 45:10-17
16th Tuesday - Joshua 1, Luke 18:1-17, Psalm 46
17th Wednesday - Joshua 2, 3, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 47:-9
18th Thursday - Joshua 4, 5, Luke 19:1-27, Proverbs 10:1-10
19th Friday - Joshua 6, 7, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 48
20th Saturday - Joshua 8, 9, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 49:1-10
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THE MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY
“And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoveth Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” - Luke 24:46-47
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Happy are they who laugh at their own mistakes, for they shall lead merry lives.
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Blessed are they who do not worship the dollar, for heaven cannot be bought.
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