Luke 18:14 (NIV) - “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Simple enough, self-exaltation leads to being humbled (not the good variety), and humbling oneself will lead to being exalted (by God, so the very, very good kind). There’s even a parable that Jesus tells to illustrate this truth.

Luke 14:7-11 (NIV) - “When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’”

This parable showcases what happens in everyday life when we try to exalt ourselves. There will always be someone or something to knock us off our high horse, but thankfully, we don’t have to live in that rat race. We have reserved seating at the wedding feast of the Lamb; we have tickets to the best seats in the house, figuratively speaking, to the main event. This is why we can live humbly because we are free from the need to fight for things in the world to make us feel worthy.

Luke 14:12-14 (NIV) - “Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’”

Who do we know in need of prayer today - spiritually poor, crippled, lame, blind - and although they cannot repay us, that’s okay and preferable because we have what is better awaiting us. Let’s pray for those who come to mind today speaking over their lives, “Friend, move up to a better place” knowing it is Jesus inviting them to be at His wedding feast on that day.

-AK