Jesus was in the house of a prominent Pharisee. That’s a big deal! And what an ego-boost this situation would give to anyone else: to be invited to the table of powerful and important people. We are told that Jesus “was being carefully watched”. Again, most people would not resist the temptation to try and win the approval of such a dignified audience. But, for Jesus, this was a futile game. Worse, it was a destructive competition. The Pharisees prided themselves in upholding the law of Moses; it had become a status symbol that elevated them in the eyes of others. This is ironic because the Mosaic law was designed (by contrast with other ancient law systems) to prevent the development of a ‘caste’ system in the family of God. It was designed to ensure justice and mercy for people like the afflicted man described here. Jesus’ warning is ominous: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Instead of looking for opportunities to impress others and get ahead, we should therefore be looking for opportunities to humble ourselves and serve others. If we did the latter with the energy that we often invest in the former we would be a remarkably countercultural and transformative influence in this opportunistic world. There may be few opportunities for you to exalt yourself, but there are plenty of opportunities for you to humble yourself. God is carefully watching you.
Reflect on the position that you have been taking in relation to others.
Read Luke 14:1-14
