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1 One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his every move. 7 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table. Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, 8 "When someone invites you to dinner, don't take the place of honor. Somebody more important than you might have been invited by the host. 9 Then he'll come and call out in front of everybody, 'You're in the wrong place. The place of honor belongs to this man.' Red-faced, you'll have to make your way to the very last table, the only place left. 10 "When you're invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, 'Friend, come up to the front.' That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! 11 What I'm saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." 12 Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. 13 Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. 14 You'll be - and experience - a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned - oh, how it will be returned! - at the resurrection of God's people." (Luke 14:1, 7-14 The Message)
Sunday Dinner is a big deal for most Christians, as it probably is for you too, dear Friend. Here in Texas we use dinner for both lunch and supper usually. Many are the customs we have had or have; and it's a nice custom to share your meal with loved ones and friends. For many, Sunday dinner is the big meal of the week. A better way to say it is that the meal after worship on Sunday is a big deal. So, Jesus gets invited to have the big meal of the week after worship on the Sabbath with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees. In other words, this is one of the influential members of the local church. Everyone from the synagogue will be watching the process of Jesus, an outspoken itinerant rabbi, going to eat with an established and locally respected pillar of the local church. Jesus knows this and uses it to teach HIs disciples an important lesson on humility and self-worth.
The "dance" most people dance, Jesus said, is to make their way to the best seats. I think about wedding receptions where this does happen. As a pastor I personally have been at the "seat of honor" and relegated to the top tier away from the rest of the guests who were on the first floor in a hotel with a two tier setup. At the wedding of the daughter of a district superintendent of the Assembly of God church who was active in our campus ministry program, the pastors and their wives were part of the reception procession, where we, and there were about ten pastors and wives, marched in behind the couple and their parents and up to the top table of a four table-tier setup. We were served first and truly felt honored; the other wedding not so much. Of course, most weddings here in the USA, seating is assigned. In Jesus' day, Jesus said just be yourself and don't think you deserve the seat of honor; you may seat yourself there and then be embarrassed to be told, "You're in the wrong seat; yours is on the second floor!" And how true what Jesus said, "If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face. But if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." Great wisdom there. Be thankful you were invited just to be a part of this great festive occasion.
And to the hosts of the meal, Jesus said, "Next time you put on one of these fancy dinners, don't be like Americans who invite their friends to a meal, and then their friends who feel they owe their friends a meal in return, will do it again, just to pay it back. Why not invite people from the wrong side of the track, the ones usually not invited by anyone to such meals; whatever you think you are owed for this action, will be repaid in a manner you will never expect, in Heaven."
Jesus has given us the example of humility. Though He was God and lived in the finest and best residences in the universe, He came down to give Himself for you and me. He who is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, came to serve. The face of Christianity should be the face of Christ in us living in the same way that Jesus lived and loved among us. Christ put others first, Himself last. Jesus knew His worth and value in His Father's eyes, yet He chose to be servant. When you and I surrendered to God, we surrendered all to Him. We should be guided by humility and love. There is no room in the Kingdom for conceit and arrogance. The face of Christianity is the face of others in our hearts.
PRAYER: Eternal God, Father and Creator of us all. We ask that we might surrender ourselves to You so that we might serve others in love and faithfulness. May others see Jesus in us as we see Jesus in them. I also ask for healing for dear readers of this devotional, who need your healing touch. You know, dear Lord, who they are, and we ask for Your will to be done in a mighty way! This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Bless the Lord today in giving of yourself.
Blessings of love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
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