Commentary – تفسير

7So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them, 8"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;9and 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.10But 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.11For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus sat down in the atmosphere of the feast. He watched the people and their behaviors, and soon noticed how they crowded around their chief that he might see them, salute them, and kiss them, for they thought they would receive his help thereafter. There is nothing more evil than flattery, when it nests hatred, jealousy, and despise inside the heart. Keep away from all kinds of hypocrisy, and prefer to be small among men lest you become haughty. Then God considers you great indeed.
Christ came down from God’s nearness, and became a simple man like you are. He bore our sins as a rejected, crucified slave; and God exalted and glorified him as no man was ever glorified before or after him. He who follows Christ becomes changed into his lowliness, for the Son of God said, "I am lowly in heart." There was nothing in his heart but lowliness. What about your conscience? Do you seek honor, ostentation, fame, and esteem from the public, or do you wish to remain unknown, serving the poor and the mobs? Christ did not go to the kings, rulers, and chiefs; but sought the sick that longed for purity and truth. Are you prepared to follow Christ practically?
Know yourself. Every normal man wishes to become proud as a peacock. This spirit is found even in little children: A five years old girl said, "I wish I were a towering statue in a public square so that all men may see me far above."
Realize yourself, deny your evil nature, and ask Christ to bring you down from your pride and show you that you are nothing, know nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing. Then he purifies you with his precious blood, and fills you with his Holy Spirit, and you will proceed to the highest step of humanity and become a child of God, for you humbled yourself, repented truly, and believed that you are nothing, and therefore the Spirit of God dwelt in you, and raised you to him.
But the poor one who thinks he is something, and runs haughtily in societies, thinking himself a minor god, and seeking leadership in his surroundings, will fall to the failure of his dirty sins, become a slave of his lusts, lose his untroubled conscience, and neglect God’s grace in his haughtiness, for he opened himself to the spirit of Satan who is the first of the haughty, contrary to Christ who made himself of no reputation, and was completely and truly humble.
Dear brother, are you haughty or lowly in heart? Your straightforward answer shows you the way you are going to hell or to heaven. Do not go your way indifferently, but take back every movement that suggests pride, and ask Jesus to pour out his Spirit on you that you may not live for yourself any further, but hide your name in the name of the Lord, serve the poor, sacrifice your money, and build the kingdom of God by obeying Christ. Pray to Christ insistently that he may eradicate every inclination of your heart to haughtiness, condemn your selfish sensitivity, and deliver you from the original spirit of Satan.