The Time Jesus Confronted the Pride of Religious Leaders
He did this in a leader of the Pharisees' house.
Jesus spoke the truth regardless of His location - even in the house of a leader of the Pharisees (Luke 14:1).
While in this ruler’s house for a meal on the Sabbath, Jesus noticed how the rest of the experts in the law and Pharisees (Luke 14:3) chose the best places to sit. The best seats were those nearest to the host. Jesus addressed their behavior:
“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; 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. 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. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:8-11)
The experts in the law and the Pharisees would sit in the best places because they assumed no one would come who was more honorable than themselves. They believed, “I am most deserving of the place of honor.”
They exalted themselves. They were full of pride.
Now, we often apply this passage to preachers in denominations who take the title of Reverend, Pastor, Holy Father, and whatever else they feel like. And it’s true - taking on titles is something Jesus specifically condemned, and it displays pride (Matthew 23:6-11).
But, I think sometimes we like to make the application to others instead of ourselves. The Pharisees were a part of God’s covenant people under the Old Testament. Who are the covenant people of God under the New Testament? Christians (1 Peter 2:4-10).
The application of this lesson Jesus taught the Pharisees is best made to the Lord’s church - to Christians.
We must be cautious not to use events like Gospel meetings or lectureships to exalt preachers. Why is it that some preachers are given the “prime-time” slots at lectureships? Is it possible that some Christians exalt preachers more than they should?
I think the apostle Paul would have something to say to such Christians. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?” (1 Corinthians 3:5). Paul would tell us that what matters is the message of the cross, which is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-18).
Gospel meetings and lectureships can be wonderfully encouraging events where we have a chance to spend more time studying God’s Word. God’s Word ought to be the focus - not the speaker; the Message over the messenger.
While we all have preachers we enjoy hearing, we must remain vigilant not to exalt them on high. Any preacher who places the Bible and the cross front and center is doing exactly as he ought.
Preachers must also guard against having the mindset of the Pharisees.
As a preacher, I can share with you that there is a temptation to feed our egos and become “somebody” in the brotherhood. There is a temptation for every preacher to fall in love with the spotlight rather than the message of the cross.
Perhaps more of us preachers ought to think seriously about the words of Paul:
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Every time someone stands to teach or preach the word of God, may we remember that the skill or talent of the speaker doesn’t matter. We aren’t trying to build people’s faith in the preacher - but in the power of God.
The power of God is the Gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16-17). The power of God is His word (Hebrews 4:12).
Jesus has confronted the pride of His people before - and He continues to engage our pride today through His word.