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7And He put forth a parable to those who were invited,
when He noted how they chose out the chief places, saying to them,
8When you are invited by anyone to a
wedding, do not recline in the chief seat, lest a more honorable man than you may
be invited by him.
9And he who invited you and him shall come and say to you,
Give place to this man; and then you begin with shame to take the last place.
10But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest
place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up
higher. Then glory shall be to you before those reclining with you.
11For whoever exalts himself shall be abased, and he who
humbles himself shall be exalted.
12And He also said to him who invited Him, When you make
a dinner or a supper, do not call your friends or your brothers, or your kinsmen,
or your rich neighbors; lest they also invite you again, and a recompense be made
to you.
13But when you make a feast, call the poor, the maimed,
the lame, the blind,
14and you shall be blessed, for they cannot repay you;
for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
MKJV |
- This parable has two scenario’s within it, but both deal with seeking praise or
acceptance among men. Honor is given to us from above, it does not come through
man's self-promotion.
- He who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be
exalted. Honor is given from above, it is not taken through man's efforts.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall
be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted,
Matthew 23:12.
- At first view the second part of this text seems to concern itself with
unselfishly doing for those less fortunate than you, (showing charity).
But the parable continues the theme of overcoming "self-pride". Giving you an
example of how you can win over self-pride by humbling yourself and doing
charitable deeds.
- If we do not choose to humble ourselves before men and before the Lord, God will
then bring the prideful to a lowly state. Know that there is much reward in living
a life of humility. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,
and He shall lift you up, James 4:10.
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