Living in the Spirit
August 27, 2022
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ –Luke 14:1, 7-11
I recently attended a meeting of a not-for-profit group planning a fundraising banquet. People contacted to support the organization had inquired about the appropriate dress for the occasion. For some reason, that seemed incongruent to me. I flashed back to a memory of my aunt, a librarian, and her husband, a farmer. Recall the American Gothic painting, and you will get an idea of this couple’s appearance. My aunt wore homemade house dresses, probably saving her newest one for church. Her husband did not wear overalls, but I do not remember ever seeing him in anything other than khakis and a plaid or other patterned shirt. He might have had a white shirt for Sundays. They determined it was time to buy a new car, and my uncle had seen and liked the latest Cadillac. At the Cadillac dealership, they were greeted politely, and the salesperson answered their questions, but there was no great sales pitch. Eventually, my uncle said he would take one, and the salesman invited the couple to his office to do the paperwork. When he asked where they were getting a loan, they replied they plan to pay cash for it. He quietly stared at them for a moment and told them the final price. My aunt got out the checkbook and wrote the check for the full amount. The salesman took the check to the next office. My aunt heard him call the bank to ask if the account held that much money. The banker assured them it did. He came back to his office a different person, all smiles and with a “what can we get for you now” attitude. My aunt loved telling that story.
But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’—1 Samuel 16:7
Something to keep in mind this election season.
Prayer: Lord, help us make good judgments as we exercise our civic responsibilities. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.