Introduction
Are you a people watcher? Are you a person who whether you are sitting at school, the mall, the airport, a park or a sporting event likes to sit and watch people go by. You may never say a word, but as you watch you might pick out certain people and what goes through your mind? “I’m glad I don’t look as stupid as they do” or “How could anyone dress their child like that!”. As such thoughts go through our minds, don’t we measure ourselves pretty much better than others? Our self-worth or self-esteem goes up in our mind’s eye.
A similar scenario was taking place in the opening verse of our Gospel lesson. Luke tells us that “he (Jesus) was being carefully watched”. The people who were watching Jesus did not say a word, but as true God he looked into their hearts and saw the same thoughts which pass through our minds – sins of pride, arrogance and self-elevation. But with a Savior’s heart, he wants to teach his disciples and us about
Christian Conduct in this World
Jesus shows us that such Christian conduct begins with a humble heart, but is also shown in loving actions which point others to the Savior.
I invite you to hear again v. 11 of our Gospel reading where our Savior teaches these truths.
It begins with a humble heart
“Humility is knowing who God is, knowing who you are and knowing the difference”. That is how one Christian writer summed up humility. To put it simply “humility begins with the right attitude of the heart”
That was the point Jesus was making in his parables as well. People wanted to make themselves look good in the eyes of others, but Jesus teaches us that it doesn’t matter how we look to others if the heart isn’t right.
Did you pay careful attention to the words we spoke together a few minutes ago and similar words which we speak in every weekend’s service? We just said together before each other and before the creator and judge of the universe that every word, every action and every thought of ours is tainted by sin and far from perfect.
When we realize that no matter what I do, I am totally dependent on God and his grace, that instills in me that humble heart which Jesus speaks of and desires. When I realize that because of those sinful actions, I deserve nothing from God, yet I look at my life and everything around me – even more than that I look at my spiritual life and see that he has promised me heaven, that helps me understand that the attitude of my heart dare never be “I deserve…” or “Look what I did…”, but rather “God, thank you for all that you have done….”.
Jesus goes on to teach us that it is not only about the right attitude of the heart, but also that a right heart overflows into God-pleasing actions. If the heart is right, the actions also will be!
Is shown in loving actions which lead others to the Savior
I have a question to ask you – where did you park when you came to worship? You might wonder what the point is – but it relates to what Jesus says.
Jesus was at a banquet or dinner with his disciples and others, and he noticed how the people were all clamoring to get the places at the dinner where everyone would see them and be recognized. Jesus uses such selfish actions to teach about loving actions which have as their root desire to lead others to the Savior. If Jesus were to put it in the words of 2022, he might say to us “Watch out that you don’t get caught up in cliques!”. How often don’t we want to surround ourselves with those who we know and will make us feel good? When was the last time that we went out of our way to find that person who is left out of the crowd? To include that person who may be shy or feel secluded and insignificant?
Jesus also uses the example of the host of the gathering and he says to him “the next time you have such a dinner, do not invite the well-known, your friends or your relatives. They will feel like they have to invite you as well. Instead, invite the outcasts of society, the rejected and lonely people.” Jesus words still speak to us today and encourage us to use loving actions to those who are not as physically or spiritually blessed as we are to draw them to the Savior.
Jesus makes yet one more point. When we have such a humble heart or loving actions, very often people will not recognize us for what we do or praise us for a humble spirit. But Jesus reminds us that we do not work for an earthly reward. What a blessing, what a great joy it will be that one day when we are gathered together around our Savior’s throne in heaven to see that person who was depressed and troubled and we reached out to them with the Gospel. Or so see that person who everyone else rejected and ignored and we loved them with God’s love. What a joy it will be to see them in heaven with us. Jesus reminds us that then we will receive our reward to know that they get to spend eternity with God.
CONCLUSION
Have you ever noticed the fuss which is made about which athlete makes it on the Wheaties box or the cover of the latest Madden game. There is even more frenzy about who ended up being left off. Isn’t that a good demonstration of what our society is all about? We want recognition and praise for all that we do. Jesus reminds us that in God’s sight we receive praise and honor when we begin with a humble heart and let that humble heart overflow with loving actions. That is Christian Conduct in this world. Amen.