Jockeying for Power | July 28, 2018

Jesus is invited to dinner at a prominent Pharisee’s home.  He immediately begins confronting their hypocritical and ineffective theology.  They say nothing when he heals on the Sabbath.  They say nothing when he poses a moral question.  When he notices the guests jockeying for positions of power at the table, he tells them a parable about a banquet.  Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, he warns, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. 
 
Where do you find yourself in this story? If I am being honest, I find myself in the Pharisees’ shoes.  I know my accomplishments.  I know where I went to school.  I know how hard I have worked.  I am fully aware of what I believe myself to have earned. 
 
And yet, I am convicted once again by the call to humility.  How many times must Jesus teach us the importance of humility?  How many times will we ignore it?

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Where are you in this story? 
• Jesus talks about serving those who cannot offer anything in return.  What do you think about this?  How can you live this out?

PRAYER
Lord, we pray that our own sin would stop getting in our way of following you.  Help us to walk humbly in your presence, to do as you would do, and most importantly, love as you would love.  Amen.