ESOCS Devotional 14 March 2026 – Spiritually Endorsed Way to Honour
MEMORY VERSE: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 14:1-11
Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. 2 And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
4 But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.
7 So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: 8 “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 and he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be [c]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
READ OTHER ESOCS DEVOTIONAL HERE
The self-promotion attitude of the religious leaders in ancient Israel moved them to choose places of prominence or high seats in public or social gatherings. Naturally, high seats were reserved for guests of honour, even as it is today. In this teaching, Jesus availed a lesson on humility, for those who would always and habitually seek to be noticed (Matthew 5:3). In the words of the Master in verse 8b, “Sit not down in the highest room…” This admonishes that one should not seek recognition for the sake of self-promotion or exaltation in public places. Moreover, and invariably, those who act this way to be noticed in public are most likely to be embarrassed because of this character of self-exaltation of themselves.
This is also a very comely or prescribed admonition for ministers who would use their religious positions as a means of exalting themselves among mean, (Proverbs 25:6, 7; Ezekiel 21:6). The Lord teaches that we should rather occupy the lowest corner. It is more honourable for the host to notice you and then usher you to the high table. Then, you will be highly honoured in the presence of all other guests.
Let’s take heed to ourselves, for those who promote themselves will most likely be humbled and demoted, while those who humble themselves will be openly promoted or exalted.
Reflections
- God promotes and blesses the humble. Do you agree?
Prayer
- Dear Lord, teach me to walk in humility always.
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 4:1-8; Jeremiah 3:6-15; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
ESOCS Devotional 14 March 2026
