It happens at fancy wedding receptions, and at State dinners. It also happens at big corporate dinners and meetings. What I’m referring to is people vying for the best or most prominent seat available. People want to sit as close to the President or other political leader as they can. They want to sit at or near the bride and groom’s table. Or they want to be seated next to the top corporate executives, thinking that they might get his ear with their ideas, and might improve their job position. If the seating arrangement for the dinner has not already been preselected, then there is a mad scramble for those select seats, and if they have been predetermined there is possibly a lot of grumbling and nasty words muttered under breath. This is nothing new. It was something that Jesus noticed, and had some comments about, which we read in our Scripture passage today.
Earlier in the chapter we read how Jesus was invited to dinner at the house of one of the prominent Pharisees in the village He was in (Luke 14:1). While there, Jesus noticed how the invited guests all tripped over each other trying to get the best seats in the house. Everyone wanted to be seated next to the host, or perhaps next to some other important guest of honor at the meal. No one wanted to be seated down at the end of the table. Perhaps even before the meal was served, they may have sought after the more comfortable or well-placed seats in the house. Jesus had something to say about what He was noticing, which might have annoyed and not have pleased His audience. However, it was a needed lesson in humility, which many could use today, as well.
Jesus spoke to the other invited guests, telling them that it would be better to go to a more lowly seat, and then be invited to come sit closer to the host or guest of honor, rather than to take a prominent seat and then be told to sit further down the table because someone else was to have the honored seat (vs. 8-10). His words echoed Old Testament Scripture from the Book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25:6-7). These were words that these people should have been familiar with and taken to heart. However, their actions showed that they either had never bothered to read them, or certainly not applied them to their life.
This is a lesson in humility, to not think so highly of oneself, and then later be put to shame because of that (vs. 11). We should not be seeking after places of honor. Humility and serving others are more important than status. People are eager to raise their social status by being with the right people, dressing the right way, and having the best belongings. Jesus said that is not what we should seek after. A person with real humility will compare themselves only with Christ, realizing their sinfulness, and understanding their limitations. Humility is not self-degradation. It is a realistic assessment of oneself, and having a commitment to serve.
Jesus continued with His teaching, and again made comments about the practices of the day, which are also so common today. He spoke of how when we plan a dinner party or other event, we like to invite our family and friends, and also prominent people if we can. That way, when they plan their parties, they will likely invite us, and we can feel honored. Jesus instructed His followers to invite the poor, despite the fact that they won’t be inviting us to any social events. He said we will, instead, be blessed by God (vs. 12-14).
If we really want to be blessed by the Lord, we are to do good things for people who in turn, cannot do good things for us. This goes against all those who like to invite the rich, who will feel obligated to return the favor. Inviting our friends and relatives cannot be classified as a spiritual act of true charity. Jesus isn’t telling us to never fellowship with friends and family. However, He wants us to reach both friends and family, and also those outside our circle.
We shouldn’t be so exclusive about who we associate with, such as only the rich or prominent who can raise our social status. God loves the poor and the humble. If the unevangelized and needy are to be reached, God’s people must reach out to them.
No one can ever outgive God. Any kind deed that we do for someone else, without selfish motives, but done in Jesus’ Name and for His sake, will be rewarded in heaven.
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