THE Lord Jesus attended a wedding and observed how everyone wanted to sit close to the host. Sitting beside the host is not only about seating arrangements, it’s about IMPORTANCE!
Does it matter when you are not given the treatment you think you deserve? Frankly, I think it affects all of us. We all want to be treated with dignity. As people who bear the image of GOD, we show our disapproval once this protocol is breached. This is understandable but the problem here is not about respect. It’s a spiritual condition labelled by theologians as DEPRAVITY, the subtle and insatiable demand for importance and worship as a deity - the STATUS PROBLEM. This desire for adulation in our hearts never fails to be displayed through our actions and attitudes.
Seizing the moment, Jesus taught a powerful lesson on powerlessness. He said, ”take the lowest seat” and to the host, Jesus taught lessons on grace and generosity, challenging the attitude of being exclusive. Jesus said, ”when you have parties, don’t invite those who can repay you and have the ability to massage ego. Rather, invite those who can’t pay back!” It’s not about inviting friends and loved ones that Jesus was against. It’s the politics of power that He was exposing! Power and fame function well when those who use it are the ones GOD exalted! The face wears a smile but the heart treats everyone as suspect. Powerlessness is not without a struggle but we learn to live with it.
Jesus gave us these truths: 1) God decides who to lift up. 2) God lifts those who humble themselves. 3) Jesus said, seek the lowest place, and for those who host parties, take the greed test (will you share your abundance) take the grace test (to whom will you share these blessings) take the generosity test (how extravagantly and lavishly are you willing to share with a cheerful heart?). These tests are not about passing or failing, it’s an invitation for us to see the heart of Jesus, full of grace and hilarious generosity! As I write straight from my heart, join me and pray these prayers from our hearts: “ABBA, help me accept my true identity, powerless yet unconditionally loved by you. Amen.”
“ABBA, from the desire of being great, deliver me daily through Christ, our Lord. Amen.”