Luke 14:1

What would Jesus do? The dinner guests carefully watched his every move. But they were not the only ones doing the watching. Jesus also observed their actions (Luke 14:7). What he saw offered him an opportunity to teach a different perspective.

The guests were literally falling over themselves to have the best seat at the dinner. Pride was their motivation, as was the desire to be recognized as being just a little better than everyone else. Jesus offered a different perspective, and it is one to which I need to pay attention.

It is natural for me to want recognition. I desire to have people take notice of me and what I have done. It makes me feel valuable. This is why humiliation is such a bitter pill to swallow, and why Jesus' perspective is so different. He says, "Be humble."

Being humble, truly humble, is difficult. As someone who craves attention, being overlooked is hard to accept. Still, Jesus' lesson strikes home. My pride and my self-promotion cannot stand up in front of God who is judge over all. I may try to offer all the good I have done. I may claim to be better than other people. I may even demand that God has to accept me for who I am. Unfortunately, God looks at me from a different perspective. He says, "Be perfect" (Matthew 5:48). He adds that all have sinned and fall short of his glory (Romans 3:23). He further adds, "Away from me, you evildoers" (Matthew 7:23).

In humility, I realize I cannot stand in front of God nor take pride in anything I have done. This is why Jesus' perspective is so important. He teaches me to look past my works and look to him. He provides me the perfection I can not attain. He offers me the forgiveness I need. He gives me the ability to stand before his Father completely acceptable.

In humility, I need to look away from myself and look to Jesus alone in order to be exalted in the presence of God. Yes, it is a different perspective, yet it is one through which I receive life and lasting glory in heaven.