When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
— Luke 14:7-11 NLT
Key Thought
Most of us detest self-promotion when we see it in someone else. However, each of us has a strange ability to find "reasons" why we "need" to promote ourselves. Jesus wants us to give up on our self-promoting ways. He calls us to be humble and then let God do the exalting. We shouldn't be surprised when the apostle Paul held Jesus up as the perfect example of humility — Jesus didn't cling to position, emptied himself of self-promotion, and was obedient to God, and God exalted him at the proper time (Philippians 2:5-11). Pride is destructive, selfish, and poisonous to Christian service and maturity. Let's humble ourselves before both God and other people and trust him to honor us at the appropriate time.
Today's Prayer
Father, I confess to you that I sometimes feel overlooked and underappreciated. Part of me longs for the spotlight and the accolades that come with it. Yet, dear Father, I know that part is foolish pride grabbing my heart. I know Satan longs to use that pride to incite envy, pettiness, gossip, vanity, and a host of other unholy traits in me. Humble me gently, Father, for I do trust the estimation of my value to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Isaiah 57:15
- Philippians 2:5-11
- 1 Peter 5:6
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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