The Parable of the Humble Guest Simplified (Luke 14: 7-11)
The parable of the humbled guest in Luke 14: 7-11 relates:
“Then he told a parable to the guests, when he noticed how they chose the best places, telling them: 8” When someone invites you to a wedding party, you do not feel in the best place, lest you be more honorable than to be invited by them ; 9 and the one who invited you comes and says to you, ‘Make room for this man,’ and then you start in shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when they invite you, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes and says, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at table with you. 11 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. “
I’m not sure if I remember ever hearing this preached. Perhaps one of the reasons why this is not shared or I do not remember it being shared is that I do not know if I have ever been to an occasion where there are more excited seats than others. At a wedding, yes, there are seats in the front closest to the bridal table. But in modern weddings we have named venues and the seating arrangements already work. The same goes for official functions, and there are not many tables. So let’s talk about the parable in the context of where Jesus was and then we can move from there.
We read in the passage that the people Jesus was talking about were simply taking it upon themselves to go and sit in the best seats. Jesus told them not to sit in the special seats because they may be asked to leave them when the special people arrive. But instead, he advised them to sit in the slightest place and wait until the host of the party asked them to move to the high places.
I remember a mission trip in India that was attended by between 100 and 150 pastors and their wives. A dinner was served hosted by an Indian apostle, director of more than 400 churches and a Bible school. The food was served on banana leaves, which was typical of Indian meals. There were four long tables. I was about to sit down on one of the chairs when the apostle gestured to me and said, “Come and sit here.”
It was incredible! I could not believe it. He was sitting on the right hand side of the apostle who led our mission trip of 150 people and who led a denomination of 400 churches! And in stages throughout the meal, he turned to me and asked me questions. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to be sitting next to him.
The reason I was so interested in him was that it was the first time I had met a person who was in charge of 400 churches. Indians are my favorite race of people in the world. So I was so excited to meet someone who was in charge of large groups of them. I was so impressed with that. But I was even more impressed that he had met Jesus in person on multiple occasions and had a conversation with him. I once met Jesus in person and had something to talk about with him. I was so, so, so happy to be sitting next to him. I felt so important.
This is what Jesus was talking about. When we get to dinner after the conference, I’m not sure how people should sit. All I know is that the apostle caught my eye and had reserved a seat next to him and asked me to sit in it. It was a wonderful day.
In certain churches, the front seat is taken by senior pastors or the most important people in the church. I always like to be close to the front in my own church; I feel closer to God up front. In sports and entertainment, the closer you are to the front, the closer you are to the action.
So I figured if you were invited to an official function, taking the most important seat or the seat in the front of someone you don’t know very well could be a bit insulting. Jesus was telling these proud men that if you exalt yourself, God will humble you. But if you humble yourself, you will be exalted.
Now, at the time I was in India, I was quite a proud person. I still have elements of pride inside of me. So, it wasn’t anything from my own humility that got me excited that day. It is just a perfect illustration of this parable. I just feel that even though I have been proud in the past, God saw my heart and spoke to the apostle that day and said, “Let Matthew come and sit by your side.” And it was really a privilege, you know. Peter also said it: “Humble yourself before the Lord and in due time he will exalt you.” (1 Peter 5: 6)
Humility is something Jesus is great at. He humbled himself and was born in a stable. He humbled himself like a man when he was crucified naked on the cross for us. Jesus never took the high seat. There was no wedding feast in Israel that had a more exalted seat than Jesus could have taken. Jesus could have taken the most exalted seat in any function in Israel in His day. He was the Messiah. But Jesus walked humbly.
That is the lesson for all of us in this parable. Jesus was speaking here of humility; to take a back seat; of not being hungry for recognition. If you are a humble, mature Christian, you really don’t need to be recognized when you did something for the Lord. You know very well that the Lord does not overlook what is done for Him. If you do not want to be exalted on earth, you will surely reap your reward in heaven.
Jesus was saying that even all the devotion was not enough to be proud and walk thinking that you are better than others. You will discover that the personality of Jesus is expressed in his parables. You get a more complete picture of who Jesus was and what he believed in when you spend time reading and understanding his parables.
I hope this has touched your heart.
