Day 21: The Way Up Is Down

In the last two days we’ve seen that humility is a decision and I want to take now an example from the teaching of Jesus, one of His very practical down-to-earth parables as to how to make this decision and what’s involved. It’s a parable about the people invited to a wedding banquet and how they should respond and conduct themselves. In it there’s the example of pride and there’s the example of humility. This is what it says. Luke 14, verses 7–11:

“When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: [Everybody wanted to sit at the high table, you see. But this is what Jesus says:] ‘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 man 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 your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’”

Notice that last statement which is a principle that applies all throughout the universe. If you want to be exalted, humble yourself; but if you exalt yourself, you’ll be humbled or humiliated. Each alike is a decision. To humble yourself is a decision, to exalt yourself is a decision. And you’ll see that Jesus illustrates it there by choosing where you will sit. When you walk into the banquet, do you look for the most honorable seat and put yourself down in it? Or do you look for the lowest place and sit there? Very obviously, that’s a very simple decision: but it’s a pattern of how to live. When you walk into any situation, which seat are you going to choose? The highest or the lowest? Jesus says that if you choose the highest there’s only one way you can go and that’s down. But likewise, if you choose the lowest, there’s only one way you can go and that’s up. So the decision is yours in every situation. You can aim for the highest place and be in danger of being demoted and humiliated or you can choose the lowest place and know that there’s only one way you can go after that and that’s up.

There’s a verse by John Bunyan, which has stayed with me for many, many years. I’m not a great student of John Bunyan but this particular verse has spoken to me and continues to speak to me. Very simple—very practical, this is what it says:

“He that is down need fear no fall, He that is low no pride. He that is humble ever shall Have God to be his guide.”

That’s a simple message, when you’re down there’s no further down you can go. You’re safe. How often I myself like to take that posture before God. Maybe I’m going to a meeting that I’m not sure just how it will go. I like to cast myself on my face before God and say, “God, here I am. I’m on the floor. I don’t have the answers. I’m totally dependent on you. If you don’t come to my help, the whole thing is going to be a failure.” I feel so safe when I’ve taken that decision, when I’ve taken that place. If you are on the floor, no one can insult you. You’re uninsultable, if I can use that word. Remember, it’s a decision. As you walk into each situation from now on, make up your mind: Are you going to go for the highest place or the lowest?