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Luke 14-16

Have you ever noticed that Jesus took advantage of many teachable moments to reinforce truths for living?  He didn’t schedule seminars to deal with these subjects.  He took what was at hand and taught truth, using the situation itself for illustrating exactly what He was teaching.  Notice that He did it several times in these chapters in Luke. In particular He had a perfect opportunity to teach about pride and humility when invited guests chose the places of honor at a feast.

He summarized His teaching in Luke 14:11 – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.  We can also take advantage of teachable moments that occur all the time – with easily impressionable youngsters and with season veterans as well. 

I read a story years ago about how one man learned a lesson the hard way concerning pride and humility.

A strong young man at a construction site was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat of strength. He made a special case of making fun of one of the older workmen.

After several minutes, the older worker had had enough.

"Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?" he said. "I'll bet a week's wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that building that you won't be able to wheel back."

"You're on, old man," the young worker replied.

The old man reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles.

Then he turned to the young man and said, "All right. Get in."

The strong, young man had a teachable moment.  

 ~Paul Thompson

 


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