Today we confront pride.
A friend of mine solves this issue by placing name tags at her place settings.
This is not the first or only time Jesus confronted pride of place. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asked that they sit on Jesus right and left when he entered the Kingdom and of course we are aware that two thieves held that position.
Mat 20:16 And Jesus concluded, "So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last."
And during his final meal on earth with the Disciples he brought this lesson home by washing their feet.
The OT Lesson has to be one of the shortest at 2 verses:
Pro 25:6 When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important.
Pro 25:7 It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
What the Psalm adds to the discussion is the assertion that our health, happiness, and well-being do not derive from pride of place but service to God and our fellow man.
In Hebrews the life of service continues to be emphasized through a summary discussion of the ten commandents. Let's try not to get hung up on:
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.
Great teachers may come and go and the pendulum of orthodoxy may swing left and right, but God's love and redemption as manifest in Jesus Christ never changes.
Have Lutherans taken today's Gospel to heart? If you look around you you will notice that most occupy the back rows of the church. Did Jesus tell this parable in response to some not too pleasant jockeying for position among his Disciples?
Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Just as guests are cautioned not to be presumptious hosts are admonished to not restrict their guest lists solely to those with whom they wish to gain favour or have an expectation that the invitation will be returned.
A friend of mine solves this issue by placing name tags at her place settings.
This is not the first or only time Jesus confronted pride of place. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asked that they sit on Jesus right and left when he entered the Kingdom and of course we are aware that two thieves held that position.
Mat 20:16 And Jesus concluded, "So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last."
And during his final meal on earth with the Disciples he brought this lesson home by washing their feet.
The OT Lesson has to be one of the shortest at 2 verses:
Pro 25:6 When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important.
Pro 25:7 It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
What the Psalm adds to the discussion is the assertion that our health, happiness, and well-being do not derive from pride of place but service to God and our fellow man.
In Hebrews the life of service continues to be emphasized through a summary discussion of the ten commandents. Let's try not to get hung up on:
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever.
Great teachers may come and go and the pendulum of orthodoxy may swing left and right, but God's love and redemption as manifest in Jesus Christ never changes.
Have Lutherans taken today's Gospel to heart? If you look around you you will notice that most occupy the back rows of the church. Did Jesus tell this parable in response to some not too pleasant jockeying for position among his Disciples?
Pro 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Just as guests are cautioned not to be presumptious hosts are admonished to not restrict their guest lists solely to those with whom they wish to gain favour or have an expectation that the invitation will be returned.
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