Luke 14:11 & 24 –
<11> “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
<24> “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’”
Jesus is talking about banquets and what happens. In verse 11, the question is about seating at the banquet. Formal seating arrangements are actually based on status in the community. If one was to take a place higher than deserved, then they would be humiliated being moved. This all points to pride, something which God does not like since in its worst instance will have one attempting to place themselves before God! The problem with pride is we become the center piece and not God.
We can keep going back to James 4 & 5 for more insight on the problems of a prideful heart. I personally have found once I get too full of myself, I get slammed back to reality real quick. Keep a humble heart and let others “pump you up!” You just keep working and doing what is right and things will work themselves out.
Now verse 24 is talking about being invited to the banquet and how the first “chosen” refused the invite! Does this sound familiar in any way? You read this passage and immediately can see Jesus is talking about the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. Our family doesn’t tend to focus on the importance of banquets and seating, but this analogy is wonderful to those that do. What Jesus is saying here is God has welcomed everyone since His people have rejected Jesus.
Read these two passages in full context and see what God writes on your hearts. The pride thing is very important to me! Also, knowing we are all invited to the banquet is wonderful!!