Take the Lowest Seat

Luke 14:7-11

“7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

I was once a supervisor in a large workplace.  The supervisors were asked by management to rate how well they thought they were managing their work teams.   After we rated ourselves, our employees were asked to rate how well they thought they were being managed.  The result was that the supervisors thought they were managing their teams very well, while the employees felt they were not being managed very well at all.

There is often a disconnect in how we see ourselves.  Some people think too little of themselves and others think too much.   In this scripture, Jesus was addressing those who automatically think that the empty chair at the most honored spot at the table is for them.

It is wrong to exalt ourselves, especially in spiritual things.  As Christians, we are to remain humble, recognizing that anything we accomplish is due to the grace of God and in the name of God; that we do not serve ourselves but the one true God.  However important we believe ourselves to be, we are yet sinners who are forgiven by a merciful and forgiving God.

“So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

(1 Corinthians 10:31).

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)