If you wish to read the texts click here: Phil 1:18-26; Lk 14:1,7-11
Since the text of today
includes 14:1,which spoke of a Sabbath setting, this text must be seen in that
light. The text is set in the context of a meal, and contains instructions on
behaviour to guests who were invited. Meals were important social ceremonies,
and very little was left to chance. In his instructions, Jesus advocates what
may be termed as practical humility, with words from Proverbs 25:6-7. It must
be noticed that when the host asks the guest to move down from the place of
honour, no term of address, respect or affection is used, whereas when the host
invites the guest to move up, the guest is addressed as “friend”. The future
tense that is used in 14:11 (“will be humbled”, “will be exalted”) points
beyond the immediate situation to the reversal of values that is characteristic
of the economy of God’s kingdom. When one realises that God accepts one
unconditionally, the result is practical humility.
Practical humility ! strange term
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