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Reflections
Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-11
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:21-40; Matthew 8:1-17
"But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’" (Luke 14:10)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" ask the disciples in Matthew 17. Christ answers that they will not even enter the kingdom of heaven unless they become like little children. Furthermore, Christ points out that disciples cannot become like little children unless they humble themselves and welcome the little children in Jesus' Name.
In Luke 14 we find Jesus being put to the test by the Pharisees' ruler as they were eating together on the Sabbath. Christ heals a man who has dropsy, which doesn't please the Pharisees because it is unlawful to work, or heal, in this case, on the Sabbath. Christ responds by asking who among them wouldn't save their brother or oxen if they had fallen on the Sabbath. None of them has an answer and then there is a shift in the tone of the text.
This seemingly abrupt change comes when Christ tells them the parable of the wedding feast, with its conclusion: Do not place yourself in the place of honor lest someone more important than you shows up, and you get demoted and shamed in front of everyone. It is better that to take the lowest seat and be asked to move up and your honor be shown before the feast. Christ warns them (and us) that it is not our place to exalt ourselves but to humble ourselves before men. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
I have trouble finding my way around this text in any way other than straight through the waters of Holy Baptism. We are born with our Old Adam firmly intact and rooted in our hearts. We are infantile infants. We are helpless and yet active sinners. We are the lowest we can be. That is, until a good Lord comes by and washes us clean of sickness, be it dropsy or death itself, and renews us with a right spirit. We are reborn, and the new Adam emerges in us. We are exalted. We have been exalted. Christ has done the exultation for us and to us and through us. Brother, son, Christian, move up and take the place of honor. Your sins are forgiven. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch
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By Higher Things®Today's Reading: Luke 14:1-11
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 4:21-40; Matthew 8:1-17
"But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’" (Luke 14:10)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" ask the disciples in Matthew 17. Christ answers that they will not even enter the kingdom of heaven unless they become like little children. Furthermore, Christ points out that disciples cannot become like little children unless they humble themselves and welcome the little children in Jesus' Name.
In Luke 14 we find Jesus being put to the test by the Pharisees' ruler as they were eating together on the Sabbath. Christ heals a man who has dropsy, which doesn't please the Pharisees because it is unlawful to work, or heal, in this case, on the Sabbath. Christ responds by asking who among them wouldn't save their brother or oxen if they had fallen on the Sabbath. None of them has an answer and then there is a shift in the tone of the text.
This seemingly abrupt change comes when Christ tells them the parable of the wedding feast, with its conclusion: Do not place yourself in the place of honor lest someone more important than you shows up, and you get demoted and shamed in front of everyone. It is better that to take the lowest seat and be asked to move up and your honor be shown before the feast. Christ warns them (and us) that it is not our place to exalt ourselves but to humble ourselves before men. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
I have trouble finding my way around this text in any way other than straight through the waters of Holy Baptism. We are born with our Old Adam firmly intact and rooted in our hearts. We are infantile infants. We are helpless and yet active sinners. We are the lowest we can be. That is, until a good Lord comes by and washes us clean of sickness, be it dropsy or death itself, and renews us with a right spirit. We are reborn, and the new Adam emerges in us. We are exalted. We have been exalted. Christ has done the exultation for us and to us and through us. Brother, son, Christian, move up and take the place of honor. Your sins are forgiven. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch