The Truest Glory
The Truest Glory: Invitation to the Unknown
Luke 14:1, 7-14
INTRODUCTION: How many of you have ever felt the emotion of shame? I felt that way this past week when I suddenly realized that part of my lunch had found its way to my tie.
Shame can intrude into everyday occasions without warning. It is the emotion most closely connected to a sense of personal failure. Some have even described shame as, “an acid that strips us of our dignity and dissolves hope. No other emotion better portrays hell—the utter loss of intimacy, wonder, and joy.” Wow! Pretty strong stuff, huh!
It is strong stuff. But today Jesus teaches a lesson about avoiding dishonor and shame. He points us to THE TRUEST GLORY. But there is one problem. Because of the sinful human nature we are prone to replace honor with arrogance, and humility with pride. And, because of this, the TRUEST HONOR/GLORY remains unknown. So Jesus, by way of this parable, gives us an invitation to the unknown. Here, we learn …
I. It is a dangerous thing to assume a place of honor in the presence of others. When I got up this morning there was no butler to help me get dressed; no maid to prepare my breakfast; no limousine to carriage me to the church. My point is this: how foolish it would be of me to consider myself anything more than the apostle Paul who called himself the “worst of sinners.”
Self honor always turn to dishonor. Scripture warns us of this in the account of Mordecai, a Jew, and Haman, the prime minister in the court of the heathen King Xerxes. Mordecai had found honor in the kings sight because he had exposed an assassination plot against the king. But Haman wanted to put Mordecai to death. The king, however, asks “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” When Haman heard this, he thinks the king must be talking about honoring him. So he gives a suggestion that the man be lead on a horse with all the royal trappings around the city with someone proclaiming “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor.” Well, the king tells Haman to see to it and to make it all happen for Mordecai just as he suggested. Oops! Surely, the point is made. It is a dangerous thing to assume a place of honor. It ended up with Haman being shamed by his self exaltation. In fact, it ended up costing him his life.
The New Testament witness also warns “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” But, for all these warnings, the sinful human nature stands oblivious to any honor and glory accept what it wants for itself. Even so, the places of honor in God’s kingdom belong only to those for whom it has been prepared.
II. This calls for Jesus’ disciples to exhibit an attitude of humility toward God and one another. Humility is a matte of not taking advantage of a supposed right or privilege. It is a matter of seeing clearly the truth that one, namely “I”, have fallen far “short of the glory of God.”
The clearest example of humility is Jesus Christ. Though he is not a sinner, he does not consider himself above sinners. He dines with them, and teaches those whom society deems unworthy about the unknown where THE TRUEST GLORY is really found.
He even teaches us through His humble acceptance of unjustified death. The cross is where we see the clearest picture of true humility. Jesus, who in his very nature is God, empties himself and takes the nature of a servant in human form. He had no sin, yet he willingly dies as a sinner, and suffers the pains of utter humiliation so that we might never be shamed, but honored by the unknown glory in Christ.
III. Jesus promises that those who humble themselves in Christ to serve others will be gloriously exalted. Even so, exaltation is far from Jesus’ way of thinking. In his parable there is no recipe for seeking honor through deceit or cunning.
He Himself receives the unknown honor of God at his baptism and his transfiguration when he is proclaimed as God’s Son, with whom God is well-pleased. He did not seek this position of honor, but was given it by God.
Jesus receives the TRUEST GLORY, the ultimate honor, when the power of God raises him from the dead. Think of it. When Jesus ascends into heaven he takes his human nature to its place of exaltation at the right hand of God. And there it is promised to all who believe in Him.
This incredible promise is held out to all who follow Christ. It is so incredible that mere human reason can know nothing about it. Even so, we have this invitation to the unknown given to us through faith. Thus, there will be no shame for anyone who enters into His glory.
Today we honor those who are giving themselves in service to their God to be teachers of His Word. This place of honor is not one to be sought out for the glory it possesses. It is a place of service and diligence and responsibility and love. The honor that goes with the service of teaching comes from little ones growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For there is where the TRUEST GLORY can be seen in the humble acceptance of Jesus and God’s invitation to the unknown.
Of course there is a reward for such humble service. Max Lucado has a strong illustration of the glory and honor that will be given to God’s people in his book, The Applause of Heaven: He writes, “Before you know it, your appointed arrival time will come…You’ll hear your name spoken by those who love you. And the One who would rather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and …applaud.” And where, my friends, is there any shame in that?
CONCLUSION: There you have it. Delight in humble Christian service is lived out in the most ordinary ways. No, there might never be a butler or a maid or a limousine to give us the glory of the world. Our friends might never be the power-brokers and popular in-crowd people who set fashions and determine social status. But the honor of serving God is THE TRUEST GLORY that rests in the humble acceptance of the honor He himself provides. Here, then, is THE TRUEST GLORY. It is made known by the invitation of God’s Word to all who believe. Amen.