Proper 17

September 2, 2001

Save my Seat!

Luke 14:7-11

Pride -- is there a more dangerous and subtle sin? It's a sin that we often overlook in our self-righteousness. In our eyes it pales in comparison to the more "detestable" sins -- drunkenness, drug addiction, fornication, adultery, murder. Yet pride is the root of all sin.

Some may respond to this by saying: "At least I'm not a thief," yet they steal the joy of those around them with there legalistic standards. Others may say "At least I'm not a murder," yet they destroy the lives of their loved ones, cutting them with words in order to feel better about themselves. Still others may say "At least I'm not an adulterer," yet they play the harlot, seeking satisfaction from there possessions and achievements.

To them the apostle James shares some words: "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? ... Submit therefore to God .... Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."

I once heard it said that "Our job is to humble ourselves, and God's job is to exalt us. If we start doing His job, He'll start doing ours." Jesus said it like this: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (v. 11).

God can see beyond our exteriors. He sees when we're attempting to puff ourselves up instead of finding significance and satisfaction in Him. Pride says to God and man: "I know better than you, because I am better than you." And it's reflected in our self-inflating pursuits, just as it was in the actions of the guests that Jesus spoke to in our text today.

I. Musical chairs (v. 7)

When I was a child we often played musical chairs. To play this game a number of chairs -- one less than the participants -- are placed in a circle racing outward. Everyone begins walking around the chairs while music is played. The object of the game is to find yourself a chair as soon as the music stops because the one left standing is out of the game. It's everyone for himself in this game which usually ends up becoming a full-contact sport.

When I read this verse, I can almost imagine the guests playing musical chairs. Except this time the object of the game is to find the best seat before the feast begins. Because in their eyes, the one not sitting in a place of prominence is out! So as soon as they get there, they scramble to the head table to sit next to the host. In this culture the closer the invited guests were to the host, the more prominent their position.

Jesus noticed this disturbing behavior and began sharing with the guests.

II. Don't think too highly of yourselves (vv. 8-9)

Often after a first read through a text like this, I step back and think to myself, how could they be so foolish? But it's usually not long before the Spirit brings to mind instances in my life that are very similar to those I read about. So it was with these verses.

I can't count the number of times I've attempted to inflate my position before God and men. Even in ministry it's easy to tell ourselves that we're a great asset to God, and it would definitely be to His advantage to place us in the lime light.