Humble in our Hospitality

Luke’s gospel provides unique insight into the relationship between humility and hospitality. In Chapter 14, Jesus relates a parable to his dinner companions concerning where you should sit when invited as a guest in someone’s home: the seat of highest honor or the lowest. We all know this person because there’s one in every crowd. The person who always migrates to the most visible place or the place closest to the host or the place that appears to be of highest importance. The higher the pedestal you seek, the greater the fall. How embarrassing to misinterpret your own significance in the eyes of the host and have your host ask you to move back from a prominent place of honor, reduced in plain sight of everyone, and forced to trudge back in front of all to the most inconspicuous seat in the house. When communing with your Creator, check your ego at the door. Jesus was no proud, tyrannical ruler. He was a humble, loving, servant King, unlike anything the world has ever seen. He asks us to set aside our pride, and to never forget we are all equal in the eyes of God. Never consider yourself so high that you should selfishly rise above and beyond your neighbors. As Jesus reminds us “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” So much of what society impresses on us today is that power and fortune and success will elevate us above the masses. Yet nothing could be more contrary to the direction God is pointing us. Jesus worked tirelessly to live His life from within the masses, not from above them or while stepping on them. To Him, this was the true image of success. Follow the example of the King of your heart and use your gifts and talents to walk with the masses, humbling yourself, helping them, and glorifying God in the process. Only then will you come closer to knowing what a true king looks and feels like.

Healed on the Sabbath

Luke Chapter 13 describes how, for healing a woman of her crippling affliction, Jesus was harshly criticized by a leader of the synagogue for having violated the Sabbath. In return Jesus branded the man and those with him to be hypocrites. It’s hard to believe that we could live in a world where a genuine, honest to goodness, healing miracle could be considered unlawful simply because of the day of the week on which it took place. Instead of rejoicing with the other believers, these church officials were blinded by their laws rather than amazed at the glory of God’s power. On that day, the Sabbath was surely a day for immense celebration, yet the synagogue lost sight of what was truly holy. Too often we allow ourselves to get caught up in the details and minutiae of this life and we miss the simple joys of God’s miracles as they unfold around us. We miss the opportunity to live within the miracle. We miss the opportunity to do great things in His name because we are unsure if it’s politically correct or socially acceptable, or we worry about who to give credit to or where to place blame. And why, 2,000 years later, do we forget that we are privy to a perspective that the synagogue hypocrites never understood? The hundreds and hundreds of Jewish laws passed down through generations for thousands of years for daily living and proper faith instruction suddenly paled in comparison to the presence of the long-awaited Messiah. A new age and a new kingdom had been born. He was with us in the flesh for the briefest of moments, to share the holiest of all commandments and life lessons and a one-of-a-kind divine perspective. When queried about the greatest commandment, Jesus spoke firmly and with great conviction: “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s time to throw off the shackles that prevent you from enjoying daily God’s promises and live your life without fear of criticism when your decisions and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit. Strive to make every day a Sabbath. A Sabbath where you find rest and peace and refreshment with the Lord, and one that, when the opportunity arises, is rich with healing and great works in honor of the everlasting God!