Grace and peace to you. 

Let us pray, “O God, you resist those who are proud and give grace to those who are humble. Give us the humility of your Son, that we may embody the generosity of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord: 

Amen 

I would like to think that I am a humble person, but even making that statement I must think so much of myself that I could make that judgement. 

What does it mean to be humble? 

Hopefully it is the opposite of being humiliated. 

In Greek, the word humbled, from Luke 14:11, we have the word ‘tapeinou’. 

The meaning suggests to, “make low”, “to bring low” in one's condition, importance, or status. 

The greatest humiliation faced by Christ and those of us who follow happened on the cross. 

I think many of us have experienced humility, whether we ourselves we made low or where we made someone else feel low because of what we may have said or left unsaid, did or undid, see or unsee. 

Being humble is literally both/and. 

I will share another example from one of my favorites, Frederick Beuchner, on Humility. 

Humility is often confused with saying you’re not much of a bridge player when you know perfectly well you are. 

Conscious or otherwise, this kind of humility is a form of gamesmanship.

If you really aren’t much of a bridge player, you’re apt to be rather proud of yourself admitting it so humbly. This kind of humility is a form of low comedy. 

True humility doesn’t consist of thinking ill of yourself but of not thinking of yourself much differently from the way you’d be apt to think of anybody else. 

It is the capacity for being no more and no less pleased when you play your own hand well than when your opponents do. 

Humility is a close relative of pride and integrity. 

Humility is living together in peace and loving one another, as equals. 

If you have ever attended an event as an outsider or gone somewhere for the first time there can be a feeling of unease, perhaps enough fear that you may not have wanted to go in the first place. 

Jesus, always under the watchful eye of those who think they know better, gives us an example at a wedding feast. 

If you have never been to a wedding reception or dinner there is usually assigned seating. 

The bridal party often sits together and close by at a table of “honor” is the parents, grandparents and other esteemed guests. 

It would appear that in Jesus’ day that the social order was well defined and noticeable. 

Yet some people were still not sure where to sit. 

I still don’t know where to sit most of the time, but if you’re never really sure just ask. 

Perhaps you have a favorite place to sit; at church, at a restaurant, your comfy spot at home.

Try sitting in grandpa or grandma’s chair sometime. 

One of my favorites is having children in church and often seeing the distress on their parents' faces when their child behaves like a child. 

Curious, excited and not having learned where to sit. 

Usually I attempt to welcome them and extend grace that the kids are welcome and free to roam. 

One of my earliest church memories is recounted by my mother who tells me that I simply walked up on the altar and sat next to the pastor. 

Maybe that’s where this all began? 

Rather than shooing me away or making a scene my mom smiled, the pastor smiled, and the whole church was smiling. 

Doesn’t it feel good to sit comfortably, with a smile on your face. The Pharisee’s weren’t smiling, they were judging. 

Judging who was in and who was out. 

For Jesus everyone is invited, everyone has a place at the table. With humility Jesus makes sure everyone is seated before he takes his place. 

The greatest one in heaven, who is seated at the right hand of the father, will come again to judge the living and the dead. 

I was taught to give up my seat to someone who was in greater need. Jesus sees our need for love and belonging. 

Sometimes we treat Jesus as a stranger.

Hebrews 13:1-2 reminds us, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” 

Perhaps you too have hosted angels unawares. 

Hospitality includes everyone, not just your friends and family. Humility is treating others as equals. 

Including everyone is what Jesus is repeatedly telling us. 

Jesus died for everyone, saints and sinners alike. 

It was on the cross that we are all included in the gracious gift of life and salvation. 

Jesus gives freely to rich and poor alike, with joy. 

Not because he had to give this but because that's who God is. God invites us; the poor, the cripled, the lame, and the blind. Yes ,that’s all of us. 

Aware of our own faults, missteps, and need for forgiveness. Humility is practicing righteousness. 

Being right with God. 

Right in the relationship that God became one of us and we became one with God. 

Jesus is both humble and exalted. 

Jesus teaches us what it looks like and means to be yourself.

When it appears no one is looking, or no one cares, our creator sees us. Honors the lowly and our host, God, says to you, “Friend, move up higher; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.” 

Rather than build walls, wouldn’t it be wonderful to build tables so everyone can have a seat. 

A place to see each other as they see us. 

Feasting on the bread of life. 

Nurturing all who we are. 

“And you will be blessed, because they can not repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 

For this we can say, “Thanks be to God.” 

Amen