April 10, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - Parable of Pride

Luke 14:7  And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8  When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9  And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus was eating bread at certain fellows house. Luke 14:1  And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

It was here that He healed a man on the Sabbath. He was accused again of healing on the Sabbath when no work should have been done. The accusers were prideful in their station. That is the case in so many hearts today. And, as in the case of healing the man on the Sabbath pride caused contention.

Proverbs 13:10  Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Ultimately pride is a condition of the heart. Mark 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

At this dinner and after Jesus healed the man, He then gives a lesson on pride. He points out that there are those who by pride seek the best and the highest places of praise.

I am not a great golfer; one time I had the opportunity to golf with several pastors on a course that was very nice. The teams were chosen and I was placed with someone who was fairly good. After the game I found out that the man I golfed with was upset because he was not chosen to play with those who were more gifted than myself. I thought of this passage of scripture and gave God praise and was grateful that I was even asked to play.

The Pharisees in our text accused the Lord in their pride and He pointed it out through the parable and how they would choose the best for themselves rather than choosing humility.

Matthew 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Matthew 6:16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Pride has its reward as temporary as it is. Pride soon dissipates in the presence of the Lord.

Luke 14:11  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

James 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Are you a prideful person? Would you humble yourself in the sight of the Lord?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook