"If you sit in the lowest place ...you will be honoured in the presence of all"

Scripture: Luke 14: 1,7-14

Jesus' parable reinforces the teaching of Proverbs: Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince (Prov. 25:6-7).

What is true humility and why should we make it a characteristic mark of our life and action? True humility is not feeling bad about yourself, or having a low opinion of yourself, or thinking of yourself as inferior to others. True humility frees us from preoccupation with ourselves, whereas a low self-opinion tends to focus our attention on ourselves. Humility is truth in self-understanding and truth in action. Viewing ourselves truthfully, with sober judgement, means seeing ourselves the way God sees us (Psalm 139:1- 4). A humble person makes a realistic assessment of himself or herself without illusion or pretense to be something he or she is not. The humble regard themselves neither smaller nor larger than they truly are. True humility frees us to be ourselves and unbinds us from delusions caused by pride, vanity, and flattery. A humble person does not have to wear a mask or put on a false smile to win the favour and approval of others. The honest humble person is not swayed by accidentals, such as fame, talent, success, or failure.

Scripture tells us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. The Lord Jesus never refuses the plea of a humble seeker who yearns for his love, truth, and help. He is the true Master Servant who washes our feet and supplies our daily bread.